Stefanos Tsitsipas has clearly been inspired by Roger Federer’s legacy but is that a bad thing for the Greek superstar?
The 20 year-old from Athens continues to make waves on the ATP tour as he has already won two career titles and reached a grand slam semi-final.
This rise has been so rapid that he’s even beat his idol Roger Federer at a grand slam and believes he can compete with the best players.
It’s obvious that having Federer as your idol is something to have as a base for your game as Stefanos explained in his press conference yesterday, “It’s an honour to play against Roger. As I have said on numerous occasions, I have idolized him since I was six years old and I saw him on television, I guess in this I agree with the majority of guys.”
However yesterday’s Dubai final defeat shows there are weaknesses within Tsitsipas and the legacy that has inspired him could be a bad thing.
Comparing yourself to one of the greatest players of all time isn’t necessary great considering your expected to show a clinical edge no matter who you play.
Yesterday we were unable to see that from Tsitsipas after his 69 minute loss saw Federer lift up his 100th career title.
Of course the tiredness from winning Marseille could have played its part but if the Greek wants to win a masters 1000 title he needs to show more commitment on the big points.
An ability to control a match is something that he lacks and his nearest rivals have gained over time especially players like Alexander Zverev, Dominic Thiem and Daniil Medvedev.
If Masters 1000’s want to be in Tsitsipas’ future he will have to control matches and occasions much better especially being consistent with beating the top guys.
There is a reason why Alexander Zverev is being seen as a future world number one and Tsitsipas isn’t. At 21 years-old the German’s ability to control a match and an occasion consistently is something to admire.
A big serve and heavy groundstrokes has seen Zverev win multiple Masters 1000’s and reach a career high of number three in the world.
Now Tsitsipas must replicate this and prove that he is a certain for Quarter-Finals each tournament and that starts with Indian Wells next week.
Although it has inspired him to begin with, over time Federer’s legacy could be a bad thing for Tsitsipas as he looks to overcome the pressures of being compared to one of the greatest.
