Tennis – Australian Open – Males’s Singles Remaining – Melbourne Park, Melbourne, Australia – January 29, 2023 Greece’s Stefanos Tsitsipas with the runners-up trophy after shedding his ultimate match towards Serbia’s Novak Djokovic REUTERS/Hannah Mckay
MELBOURNE – Stefanos Tsitsipas dreamed of holding the Australian Open trophy aloft after nodding off on the eve of Sunday’s ultimate however Novak Djokovic ended up giving the assured Greek a impolite awakening.
In a rematch of the 2021 French Open decider, Tsitsipas lost 6-3 7-6(4) 7-6(5) because the Serbian claimed a record-extending tenth Australian Open and twenty second Grand Slam title to match Rafa Nadal.
Although falling quick once more in his aim of turning into Greece’s first Grand Slam champion and world primary, Tsitsipas was philosophical in defeat.
“In fact, I used to be dreaming concerning the trophy, lifting that trophy. I even dreamt it final evening in my sleep,” the 24-year-old instructed reporters.
“The will is admittedly there. I actually, really need it badly. However simply dreaming about it gained’t make it occur. You bought
to behave.
“Shedding finals isn’t the perfect feeling on the earth, for certain.
“However positively significantly better taking part in finals than being caught
behind within the semi-finals.”
Regardless of a effective fortnight at Melbourne Park, third seed Tsitsipas was in need of his finest within the ultimate, although loath to confess it.
Wobbly serving value him the primary set and his normally devastating forehand was a legal responsibility all through, producing 27 unforced errors versus 11 winners.
Djokovic barely gave him an opportunity on serve, although, and the Serb saved the one set level Tsitsipas had held towards him within the second set with an imperious forehand winner.
Tsitsipas praised Djokovic as “the best” to carry a racket in his runner-up speech.
He was equally effusive in his information convention, saying the 35-year-old Serb had made him a significantly better participant.
“Getting our asses kicked is for certain an excellent lesson each single time,” he stated.
“I discover it an important a part of my profession, to have a participant like him that may assist me develop higher and do
greater issues.”
At 24, Tsitsipas has his profession forward of him and might hope for clear air finally when the likes of Djokovic and Nadal cling up their rackets.
Whereas admitting he wants to enhance sure issues about his sport, confidence is unlikely to be certainly one of them.
“I don’t see any cause to be decreasing my expectations or my targets. I’m born a champion,” he stated.
“I can really feel it in my blood. I can really feel it as a aggressive child that I used to be once I was younger. It’s one thing that’s inside me.”
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