Stefanos Tsitsipas has never won an ATP1000 and he thinks he can make it this year at the Miami Open for the absence of top players such as Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal, and Roger Federer.
Tsitsipas and the Master 1000
Stefanos was close to winning an ATP1000 when he was the runner-up in Totorno (2018) and Madrid (2019), but he was overcome by Nadal and Djokovic (details).
In Miami, Stefanos admitted his strong desire to finally win a Master1000.
“I would be thrilled to walk away with a Masters 1000 title. The opportunity hasn’t presented itself, but I feel like I’m getting really close. I really want it a lot and the desire is there.
It always has been. I’m always working to get better, and I think that’s what’s going to help me get to that point of winning Masters 1000 events. I feel also I just need more opportunities to get there.”
Then the world no.5 admitted that the absence of the Big3 and some other top players at the Miami Open is a huge opportunity for him.
“It is an opportunity, I won’t lie. It is an opportunity. There are plenty of good guys that aren’t in the top five that can play good tennis as well. I can see them as a threat, too,” Tsitsipas added.
Stefanos will face either Thiago Monteiro or Kevin Anderson in his opening match in Florida.
Stefanos Tsitsipas in 2021
Ranked world no.5 (career-high), Stefanos played his last match on the 20th of March when he lost to Alexander Zverev 6-4 7-6(3) in the final in Acapulco (draw).
Until now, during this year Stefanos has managed to achieve a 14-4 record. Stefanos Tsitsipas’s latest run in Acapulco was the best achievement of his season.
Novak Djokovic in 2021
At the moment ranked no.1, Novak played his last match on the 21st of February when he overcame Daniil Medvedev 7-5 6-2 6-2 in the final of the Australian Open to win his 82nd career title.
This season Novak has managed to achieve a compiled 9-0 record. The Serbian has won 1 title at the Australian Open.
Stefanos Tsitsipas and Novak Djokovic played each other 6 times. Their record is 4-2 for Djokovic. Previously, the last time they fought against each other, Novak Djokovic won 6-3 6-2 5-7 4-6 6-1 in the semifinal in Paris (French Open) in October 2020.
You can see them in action in the following highlights.
Rafael Nadal in 2021
Currently the world no.3, Nadal played his last match on the 17th of February when he was overcome by Stefanos Tsitsipas 3-6 2-6 7-6(4) 6-4 7-5 in the quarter of the Australian Open (draw).
At present, during this year Rafael has a 4-1 match record.
Roger Federer in 2021
Currently the world no.6, Roger played his last match on the 11th of March when he was defeated by Nikoloz Basilashvili 3-6 6-1 7-5 in the quarter in Doha (draw).
At present, during this year Federer has a 1-1 match record.
Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer played each other 40 times. The head to head is 24-16 for Nadal. Previously, the last time when they played each other, Roger Federer won 7-6(3) 1-6 6-3 6-4 in the semifinal in London (Wimbledon) in July 2019.
You can see them in action in the following highlights.
