Stefanos Tsitsipas has just won his first title on grass in Mallorca and he received a rather quirky remark from Rafael Nadal’s uncle, the tournament director.
During the trophy presentation, Toni Nadal congratulated Stefanos on his title adding that the Greek sensation will be among the top favorites in Wimbledon. Then, Toni jokingly added that he will not wish him to defeat Nadal or Felix Auger Aliassime in SW19 but he wouldn’t mind if he beats Novak Djokovic.
“Congratulations Stefanos, I am sure you are one of the favorites for Wimbledon. I hope you don’t beat Rafael or Felix. But try to beat Djokovic.”
Toni is indeed the coach of Felix Auger Aliassime and he will be happy if the Canadian player would go deep in Wimbledon.
This is the video.
"I hope that you cannot beat Rafa or Felix" 😉
Toni Nadal congratulates @steftsitsipas in Mallorca!#MallorcaChampionships pic.twitter.com/yGhyL3PGEt
— Tennis TV (@TennisTV) June 25, 2022
Stefanos Tsitsipas in 2022
Ranked world no.6, Stefanos played his last match on the 25th of June when he beat world no.20 Roberto Bautista-Agut 6-4 3-6 7-6(2) in the final in Mallorca to win his 9th career title.
At present, during this year Tsitsipas has achieved an overall 40-13 win-loss record. Tsitsipas has won 2 titles in 2022 in Monte-Carlo and in Mallorca. Tsitsipas was the finalist in Rotterdam and in Rome.
Novak Djokovic in 2022
Ranked no.3, Djokovic played his last match on the 31st of May when he was overcome by world no.4 Rafael Nadal 6-2 4-6 6-2 7-6(4) in the quarter of the French Open (draw).
At present, during this year Djokovic owns a 16-5 win-loss record. Novak conquered 1 title in Rome. Novak was the finalist in Belgrade.
Stefanos Tsitsipas and Novak Djokovic played each other 9 times. Their actual head to head record is 7-2 for Djokovic. The last time they played each other, Novak Djokovic won 6-0 7-6(5) in the final in Rome (Internazionali BNL d’Italia) on the 15th of May 2022.
You can watch the highlights in the following video.
Rafael Nadal in 2022
Currently the world no.4, Rafael played his last match on the 5th of June when he beat world no.5 Casper Ruud 6-3 6-3 6-0 in the final in the French Open to win his 92nd career title.
Until now, during this year Nadal has a 30-3 record. Nadal conquered 4 titles in 2022 in Melbourne, at the Australian Open, in Acapulco and at the French Open. The Spaniard was the finalist in Indian Wells.
Felix Auger Aliassime in 2022
Ranked world no.9 (career-high), Auger-Aliassime played his last match on the 17th of June when he capitulated to world no.10 Hubert Hurkacz 7-6(2) 7-6(4) in the quarter in Halle (draw).
At present, during this year Auger-Aliassime has a 30-15 win-loss record. Auger-Aliassime conquered 1 title in Rotterdam. The Canadian was the finalist in Marseille.
Rafael Nadal and Felix Auger Aliassime played each other twice. The head to head is 2-0 for Nadal. The last time they locked horns, Rafael Nadal won 3-6 6-3 6-2 3-6 6-3 in the 4th round in Paris (French Open) on the 29th of May 2022.
In the video below you can watch the highlights.