Stefanos Tsitsipas lost a heartbreaking final at the French Open in 2021 at the hands of Novak Djokovic after he was leading by two sets. During a recent interview, Novak Djokovic said that the only experienced player that was still alive in the Australian Open draw was Stefanos Tsitsipas. However, the Serbian champion said that Stefanos had never played in a slam final. There was no malice in that since Novak definitely forgot when he defeated the Greek player back in 2021.
During the press conference that followed Stefanos Tsitsipas’s semifinal, a journalist asked Stefanos to comment about Novak Djokovic not remembering their French Open final. Stefanos didn’t lose his humor in saying that he also does not remember that final.
Here is the video.
Australian Open Press: “Novak Djokovic didn’t remember the Final you played at Roland Garros? Do you see that as a genuine lapse? Or is he trying to get in your mind?”
Stefanos Tsitsipas: “I don’t remember either.”
Reporter: “The Final?”
Stef: “No.” 😂😂😂 pic.twitter.com/XDn5XoTCsi
— The Tennis Letter (@TheTennisLetter) January 27, 2023
Tsitsipas at the Australian Open, ranking, and results in 2023
Ranked world no.4, Tsitsipas achieved a compiled 10-0 match record in 2023. Stefanos is currently having a run at the Australian Open where he bested the world no.61 Quentin Halys 6-3 6-4 7-66, the world no.169 Rinky Hijikata 6-3 6-0 6-2, the world no.63 Tallon Griekspoor 6-2 7-65 6-3, the world no.16 Jannik Sinner 6-4 6-4 3-6 4-6 6-3, the world no.71 Jiri Lehecka 6-3 7-62 6-4 and the world no.20 Karen Khachanov 7-62 6-4 6-76 6-3.
Tsitsipas won 9 titles in his career: 4 on clay courts, 4 on indoor courts and 1 on grass courts. (See the list of his titles)
Tsitsipas will compete next in Rotterdam (ABN AMRO World Tennis Tournament). He will start the tournament from the main draw that will commence on the 13th of February.
Djokovic at the Australian Open, ranking, and results in 2023
Ranked no.5, Novak achieved a compiled 10-0 match record in 2023. The Serbian is currently competing at the Australian Open where he toppled the world no.75 Roberto Carballes Baena 6-3 6-4 6-0, the world no.191 Enzo Couacaud 6-1 6-75 6-2 6-0, the world no.28 Grigor Dimitrov 7-67 6-3 6-4, the world no.24 Alex De Minaur 6-2 6-1 6-2 and the world no.6 Andrey Rublev 6-1 6-2 6-4.
Novak Djokovic will fight against the world no.35 Tommy Paul in the semifinal on Friday at 7:30 pm on Rod Laver Arena. They have never played each other so far in top tournaments.
The Serbian conquered 1 title in 2023 in Adelaide.
Djokovic won 92 titles in his career: 49 on hard courts, 18 on clay courts, 17 on indoor courts and 8 on grass courts. (See the list of his titles)
Stefanos Tsitsipas and Novak Djokovic played each other 12 times. Their current record is 10-2 for Djokovic. Before, the last time they locked horns, Novak Djokovic won 6-4 7-6(4) in the round robin in Turin (Nitto ATP Finals) in November 2022.
In the following video you can watch the highlights.