Stefanos Tsitsipas had many fans backing him in the French Open final against Novak Djokovic. There was one special person that was hoping he would beat the Serbian champion: Toni Nadal!
Rafa’s uncle was obviously disappointed after Nadal lost in the semi-final against Djokovic and he hoped that Tsitsipas could upset the world no.1. Toni wrote a column for El Pais explaining why he thought that Stefanos had the opportunity to beat Novak:
“The only thing that could have alleviated somewhat the disappointment over Rafael’s loss in his Roland Garros semi-final against Novak Djokovic would have been for the latter to lose in the final against Stefanos Tsitsipas.”
Toni had high hopes for the Greek sensation to add:
“Throughout these last two weeks of competition, I was telling my kids that the player I considered most likely to beat Djokovic on clay if the opportunity presented itself, apart from my nephew of course, was precisely the Greek. And for much of the game, I was hopeful that that would happen.”
Stefanos Tsitsipas in 2021
Ranked no.4 (career-high), Stefanos played his last match on the 13th of June when he lost to world no.1 Novak Djokovic 6-7(6) 2-6 6-3 6-2 6-4 in the final of the French Open (draw).
This year Tsitsipas has a 39-9 record. Tsitsipas has won 2 titles in 2021 in Monte-Carlo and in Lyon. Tsitsipas reached the final in Acapulco, in Barcelona and at the French Open.
Novak Djokovic in 2021
Currently ranked no.1, Novak played his last match on the 13th of June when he beat world no.4 Stefanos Tsitsipas 6-7(6) 2-6 6-3 6-2 6-4 in the final of the French Open to win his 84th career title.
During this season the Serbian owns a composed 27-3 win-loss record. Djokovic clinched 3 titles in 2021 at the Australian Open, in Belgrade and at the French Open. The Serbian reached the final in Rome.
Stefanos Tsitsipas and Novak Djokovic clashed against each other 8 times. Their head to head is 6-2 for Djokovic. Previously, the last time when they locked horns, Novak Djokovic won 6-7(6) 2-6 6-3 6-2 6-4 in the final in Paris (French Open) on the 13th of June 2021.
Here the video highlights.
Stefanos Tsitsipas and Novak Djokovic |
| Embed from Getty Images |
