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Tsitsipas: “I can be better than Federer, Nadal and Djokovic.” INTERVIEW

2 January 2020

Stefanos Tsitsipas is about to kick start his season after a truly remarkable 2019. Last year, the Greek sensation was the youngest player to beat Rafael Nadal on Clay (Madrid) and the youngest to beat the Big3 in the same season.

However, even if the world no.6 is full of confidence also following his recent success at the ATP Finals, he knows that he needs to add more to his tennis to stay with Federer, Nadal and Djokovic.

Stefanos is currently in Brisbane where he is about to play his first match in the ATP Cup. When asked about his current position and thoughts about competing with the Big3, he commented:

“I mean, yeah, they are still there. They are doing really well. For me, it’s very challenging to go out there and compete against them.

I feel like there’s something extra to chase after when I play against them, plus I get to learn a lot when I play against them. I feel more of a complete player.”

I want to be better than the Big3

Stefanos is always rather upfront in talking about his ambitions and he wasn’t shy in saying that he just wants to be the best and better than the top3 players in the world. He added:

“I kind of compare them to me to see what works for them and what should I work on more, and they’re just superhumans in a way. But I’m trying to get there myself, and I’m going to keep trying to do my best because I feel like I can surpass them, I can be better.

It’s just a matter of time, patience, and dedication to what I do.”

Tsitsipas vs. Shapovalov

Stefanos will kick start his 2020 against Denis Shapovalov in Brisbane. The H2H is 4-1 for he Candian including 2 matches at a junior level. However, the Greek remains he favorite to win the next match.

Stefanos Tsitsipas’s ranking and performance in 2020

Currently the world no.6, Stefanos played his last match on the 17^th of November when he beat Dominic Thiem 6-7⁶ 6-2 7-6⁴ in the final in London to win his 4^th career title.

Rafael Nadal’s ranking and performance in 2020

Ranked no.1, the Spaniard played his last match on the 24^th of November when he beat Denis Shapovalov 6-3 7-6⁷ in the Rubber 2 in Davis Cup.

Stefanos Tsitsipas and Rafael Nadal played each other 7 times. The head to head is 6-1 for Nadal.

The last time that they competed against each other, Rafael Nadal won 6-7⁴ 6-4 7-5 in the round robin in London (Nitto ATP Finals) in November 2019.

You can see them in action in the following highlights.

Roger Federer’s ranking and performance in 2020

At the moment ranked no.3, Federer played his last match on the 16^th of November when he had to bow to Stefanos Tsitsipas 6-3 6-4 in the semifinal in London.