Novak Djokovic seems to have forgotten that Stefanos Tsitsipas was his opponent in the 2021 French Open final. On Monday, Djokovic defeated Alex De Minaur 6-2 6-1 6-2 to advance to the Open quarterfinals. from Australia. Tackling the fact that he was the only living Grand Slam champion at the Australian Open, Djokovic began by surprisingly explaining how Tsitsipas could not be taken lightly despite never having reached a Major final.
“To be the only one left in the tournament to have won a Grand Slam, of course I’m flattered, but I don’t think it’s going to make a big difference, to be honest. Maybe for me, but maybe not for others. I don’t know. I know Tsitsipas, for example, probably the most experienced of all of them, of all the quarterfinalists.
He has already played the final phases of a Grand Slam many times. I think he has never played in a final, am I wrong?” Djokovic said after his victory in the round of 16 at the Australian Open, according to Musab Abid. Reminded by reporters that he had come from two sets down to beat Tsitsipas in the 2021 French Open final, Djokovic corrected himself, insisting that Tsitsipas looks like someone primed for a Grand Slam title.
“It’s like that. That’s the way it is. I’m sorry I was wrong. What I wanted to say is that I wanted to congratulate him because he’s someone who seems ready for the title, and the way he’s been playing, he’s getting closer,” Djokovic said.
Meanwhile, Djokovic will face Andrey Rublev. Since Djokovic and Tsitsipas are not in the same part of the draw, they could only meet in the final of the Australian Open.
Henman reflects on Tsitsipas
Stefanos Tsitsipas makes a perfect start to the season.
Qualified for the semi-finals of the Australian Open, the Greek won his nine matches in 2023! On Eurosport, Tim Henman underlines a change of mentality at Tsitsipas, more motivated than ever after his eliminations in the round of 16 at RolandâGarros, in the 3rd round at Wimbledon and in the 1st round at the US Open.
“I was a bit frustrated last year because Stefanos won so many matches, being so consistent, but we felt that in Grand Slams, except at the Australian Open, it was a bit more difficult. I was saying that maybe he played too much, season after season, and that he also had to plan his goals.
I think he learned a lot from last year, I feel like he wants to benefit from his experience and the lessons that come from it. We can feel that Stefanos has something different in this tournament. We feel that he really wants to go to the final of a Grand Slam. He wants to win, we feel it and he shows it,” noted the former world number 4.
