Greek sensation Stefanos Tsitsipas is ‘more than just a tennis player’ and has a big future, according to world No.1 Novak Djokovic.
The two clashed in the final of the Dubai Tennis Championships on Saturday. The inform Djokovic prevailed 6-3, 6-4, to extend his unbeaten start to 2020 to 18 consecutive matches. Making it his third consecutive title on the tour after the ATP Cup and Australian Open. Restoring his head-to-head lead against Tsitsipas to 3-2 in his favour.
Despite the one-sided victory, Djokovic still believes his rival has what it takes to win the biggest titles in the sport in the future. Tsitsipas is currently ranked sixth in the world rankings, which is one spot behind his career high. He ended 2019 by winning his biggest title yet at the ATP Finals in London. Overall, Tsitsipas has won five ATP titles, including Marseille this year. His best grand slam performance was a run to the semi-finals of the 2019 Australian Open.
“I love the fact that he is more than just a tennis player and he’s always looking to learn from the experience and to understand something new about himself so he can improve, get better,” Reuters quoted Djokovic as saying.
“That for me is a trait of a champion, of someone that for sure has a great potential to be No. 1 of the world and win Grand Slams and be a great ambassador of our sport. He already is, but he has a great future ahead of him, I’m sure.
“You go through the process of self-realisation and learning, maturing, then understanding what’s good for you in life, in your career. He’s a mature man already. He’s very smart, very wise.”
At the age of 21, Tsitsipas is currently the youngest player in the top 10 on the ATP Tour. He is already the highest ranked Greek player of all-time. At the 2018 Rogers Cup he became the youngest player to defeat four top 10 players at the same tournament since the ATP Tour was established back in 1990.
Whilst he may still have a way to go to match the level of consistency Djokovic has shown on the tour, Tsitsipas is staying confident. Prior to the final, he was on an eight-match winning streak and had lost only one set.
“I personally think it is possible. I am not surprised he has done it. I want to do it one day too,” he commented on Djokovic’s start to 2020.
“I think it’s a good combination of giving less than you have to on the court, having a good rehab, having a good in-between match scheduling, how well you recover after every match. Your diet, of course, plays an important role. Your mental state also matters, having a clear mental state, not having anything bother you. I’ve been playing some good tennis. Obviously I’ve never had the record that Djokovic has but I do think it’s possible. Of course, lots of respect to him for doing it so many times,” he added.
With a break in the tour next week due to the Davis Cup, Djokovic and Tsitsipas will return to the tour at the BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells later this month.
