It’s very rare that a top player verbally concedes that a younger, lower ranked player is their superior. But today in London it happened. Stefanos Tsitsipas offered a rare glimpse of reality and humility by a tennis star when he confessed after losing to Felix Auger-Aliassime 75 62 that the Canadian is his superior.
“He’s the most difficult opponent I’ve ever faced. I think it’s gonna take a couple of tries to beat him.”
Felix is now a career 5-0 vs Tsitsipas, the top seed at Queens, including a 64 62 win this year in Indian Wells and three junior triumphs.
Tsitsipas pondered the aspects of Felix’s arsenal that give him particular trouble. “It’s really difficult because he has one of the best returns on the tour. He has a really powerful, accurate serve which is tough to read.”
“He’s really quick and fast which is really hard to find all of that combinations together combined. Big backhand, big forehand. He can create a lot of opportunities from his backhand but also at the same time he can be very aggressive from the forehand side.”
“There’s not much to come up with when you play him. He’s pretty much solid from everywhere.”
Keep in mind that Tsitsipas has already beaten Federer, Djokovic and Nadal. But he has never beaten Felix.
It’s astounding these tribute words of respect by Tsitsipas for Felix, which are of a higher level of awe and admiration than anything he ever said about Federer, Nadal and Djokovic.
“It does worry me (having to deal with Felix for big titles in the future) because it’s upsetting that he’s better than me, I have to accept that he’s better than me. I might not ever beat him. But if I think that way…I just need to wait, years maybe, for that chance to come. If not then not. If yes, that’s fantastic. I will donate $10,000 for that win to charity.”
No tags
-
-
« Previous 1 2catherine · June 25, 2019 at 5:38 am
The real reason Barty w/d from Eastbourne is that she has answered the call of her country and will be joining the guys and padding up and going out to bat against England at Lords today 🙂
Douglas Day · June 27, 2019 at 11:16 pm
Nick Kyrios is a walking, talking disaster where morale is concerned. So how ironic he might bring out the very best in others. Today my YouTube shuffle-play meandered onto Fed vs.Kyrios highlight reels. I have yet to locate my lower jaw. IMHO this is THE state of tennis art. It might be old news..lets call it Fed’s finest hitting partner. The flow sustained by both men’s movement to the ball is unending. See for yourself & tell me what im missing…
https://youtu.be/G-FiL5CaLpQ