Tennis – Australian Open – Men’s Singles Final – Melbourne Park, Melbourne, Australia – January 29, 2023 Stefanos Tsitsipas of Greece with the runner-up trophy after losing the final to Novak Djokovic of Serbia REUTERS/Hannah Mckay
MELBOURNE – Stefanos Tsitsipas dreamed of lifting the Australian Open trophy after dozing off the night before Sunday’s final but Novak Djokovic ended up rudely waking the confident Greek.
In the decisive rematch of the French Open 2021, Tsitsipas lost 6-3 7-6(4) 7-6(5) when the Serbian won his 10th Grand Slam title and 22nd Grand Slam extending the record to match Rafa Nadal.
Despite again failing in his goal of becoming Greece’s first Grand Slam champion and number one in the world, Tsitsipas was still philosophical about defeat.
“Of course, I dreamed of the trophy, lifting that trophy. I even dreamed it last night while I was sleeping,” the 24-year-old told reporters.
“The desire is really there. I really, really want it so much. But just dreaming about it won’t make it happen. You have
act.
“Losing the final is definitely not the greatest feeling in the world.
“But definitely playing the final is much better than being stuck
lose in the semi-finals.”
Despite two great weeks at Melbourne Park, third seed Tsitsipas fell short of his best form in the final, despite not wanting to admit it.
The wobbly serve cost him the first set and his often devastating forehand was a liability throughout, producing 27 uncaught errors compared to 11 winners.
However, Djokovic barely gave him a chance to serve, and the Serb saved a point that Tsitsipas held ahead of him in the second set with an excellent forehand winner.
Tsitsipas hailed Djokovic as the “greatest” to hold a racket in his runner-up speech.
He was similarly excited during his press conference, saying the 35-year-old Serb had made him a much better player.
“Being kicked in the ass every time is definitely a good lesson,” he said.
“I see having a player like him as a very important part of my career who will help me develop better and do more.
bigger things.”
At 24, Tsitsipas has a whole career ahead of him and can hope for the end when the likes of Djokovic and Nadal hang up their racquets.
While acknowledging that he needs to improve on a few things in his game, confidence doesn’t seem to be one of them.
“I don’t see any reason to lower my expectations or my goals. I was born a champion,” he said.
“I can feel it in my blood. I could feel it like a competitive kid when I was little. It’s something inside of me.”
Get the hottest sports news right in your inbox
Continue reading
Register QUESTIONER PLUS to get access to The Philippine Daily Inquirer and more than 70 other titles, share up to 5 gadgets, listen to news, download as early as 4am and share articles on social media. Call 896 6000.
For feedback, complaints, or requests, Contact us.
