6
Tsitsipas Says Djokovic Still Improving At 35
7 Comments · Posted by Scoop Malinowski in Articles, Scoop
By Scoop Malinowski
Stefanos Tsitsipas just took his 13th crack at solving the Novak Djokovic puzzle at the 2023 Australian Open final. But the 36 67 67 defeat Djokovic issued to Tsitsipas was another educational experience for the 24 year old Greek currently ranked 3 in the world.
“I take Djokovic as an example, who for the last few years we thought he had reached the highest level that tennis has to offer and every year he shows that he is even better than the year before,” Stefanos Tsitsipas said in his recent interview with Sports DNA.
“This inspires me and I have him as a role model at this time.”
Tsitsipas would know better than anybody if Djokovic is still actually improving at age 35 because he played him four times in 2022 and two times in 2021.
Last year Djokovic beat Tsitsipas at World Tour Finals, Paris Indoors, and Astana and Rome finals. Tsitsipas won only one set from Djokovic in those four matches – in the Paris Indoors semi 26 63 67.
In 2021 Tsitsipas played Djokovic twice and lost both at Roland Garros final despite winning the first two sets, and the Rome QF 64 57 57.
Overall Djokovic leads the head to head vs Tsitsipas 11-2. Tsitsipas’s two wins vs Djokovic came in the first match they played in R16 in Canada 2018 63 67 63 and the third match they played in Shanghai QF 2019, 63 57 36.
So there may actually be no more qualified expert than Tsitsipas to know, understand, sense and feel that Djokovic is still refining and improving as a tennis player at age 35.
Andy Murray and Novak Djokovic in their second slam finals match · ATP · Australian Open · Stefanos Tsitsipas
Cyndy · February 8, 2023 at 4:43 am
It’s good that Tsitsipas takes inspiration from Djokovic as could be seen in his very humbling AusOpen finals speech. He probably is the only player who has said it outright that Djokovic is the greatest in his game. Scoop Malinowski would you happen to know if Dominic Thiem had undergone depression? It’s such a pity if so, as he was very good before he had his wrist (?) surgery. Hope that Thiem will have the willpower to continue.
Scoop Malinowski · February 8, 2023 at 7:53 am
Cyndy, I’ve always liked Tsitsipas, I got to meet and spend time with him about 30 minutes at 2017 US Open watching a junior match who he played the winner of, very very nice person. He’s got a heart of gold, friendly, interesting person, just sitting there by himself enjoying the match. I should have done a Biofile with him. His dad is a really great guy too. Thiem is not depressed, he’s made a fortune from winning a ton of matches. He’s having a rough road regaining his pre injury form – like Nishikori, Delpo, etc. Some players hit the wall healthwise and the body breaks down. Some go forever until they just get old – Robredo, Seppi, Lorenzi, Federer, Rafa, Ivo, Isner …
Cyndy · February 8, 2023 at 10:17 am
So good to hear about Thiem… thanks in appreciation for letting me know Scoop Malinowski… yes and I miss not seeing Nishikori play at Grand slam matches… Ferrer and Verdasco too have left… I didn’t think Robredo was still playing…question mark on Lopez too… It’s great that you got to meet up personally with Tsitsipas and his father.
Scoop Malinowski · February 8, 2023 at 7:17 pm
Cyndy, Robredo retired last year but a lot of these guys retire and can’t stay away and they come back and play again. Robredo could still play futures or a WC into a challenger. Verdasco played Dallas Open, he got smoked by McDonald. Lopez is training hard for one last hurrah, this is his last year. But his ranking has fallen outside 200 and he will need Murray cards, pardon, wildcards ) I’m a big fan of Tsitsipas and his dad and it’s based on the wonderful experience of meeting them both and spending time with them at US Open. I can’t understand how anyone would not like Tsitsipas.
Cyndy · February 9, 2023 at 2:59 am
Thanks much Scoop Malinowski on info about the various players mentioned…its all so interesting too…it’s nice of you to do so and much appreciated by me….also, I’m in awe of you being able to get up close with most of the players on tour and sharing informative bits/snippets on here… thank you for taking the time too…
Scoop Malinowski · February 9, 2023 at 8:00 am
Thanks for the kind words Cyndy, I do try to cover the sport the right way and give the fans the best info and insights. And I will keep doing it.
Dean Jeffreys · February 23, 2023 at 5:51 pm
Dear tennis-prose.com administrator, Your posts are always well-written and easy to understand.