As the tennis world eagerly anticipates the Australian Open, Stefanos Tsitsipas has lauded Novak Djokovic, emphasizing that the current version of the Serb surpasses his prowess from four years ago.
Djokovic, at 36, remains a formidable force and the player to beat at the upcoming Grand Slam, having dominated the sport for years. The World No. 1’s exceptional 2023 season, clinching three out of four Grand Slam titles and securing a record seventh ATP Finals victory, solidified his status as one of the greatest players in tennis history.
Reflecting on Djokovic’s continuous improvement, Tsitsipas, who faced defeat in last year’s Australian Open final against the Serb, praised the seasoned player’s evolution. In an interview with The Guardian, Tsitsipas expressed, “He keeps improving constantly, and I see a better Novak Djokovic now than in 2020.”
Acknowledging the challenge of competing against Djokovic, Tsitsipas highlighted the necessity of peak performance and concentration. He emphasized the lack of room for complacency against the Serb, stating, “Against Novak, you need to be in your best possible shape. There are no excuses with him. You can’t fool around for a single point, so your levels of concentration against him have to be the highest that you can reach.”
Tsitsipas also commended Djokovic’s exceptional attributes, including his ‘mind-blowing’ flexibility and precise shot-making. Despite not being the tallest player on the tour, Djokovic’s strategic approach and unwavering serve make him a formidable opponent.
“His flexibility is mind-blowing, the way he can stretch and run, and also the precision of his shot-making. Not the tallest guy on the tour but he remains one of the toughest servers,” Tsitsipas remarked. “Whenever we face Novak, we know that this is a serious heist, and most of the time it does not work out.”
As Tsitsipas gears up for the Australian Open, his insights into Djokovic’s enhanced skills add an intriguing layer to the anticipation surrounding the tournament. The clash between the seasoned Serb and the rising Greek star promises to be a highlight, showcasing the enduring excellence of Djokovic and the determination of the new generation.
Novak Djokovic in 2024
Ranked world no.1, Djokovic played his last match on the 3rd
of January when he capitulated to world no.10 Alex De Minaur 6-4 6-4 in the quarter in Australia (draw).Until now, during this year Djokovic has a compiled 2-1 match record.
Djokovic is scheduled to play next at the Australian Open (Australian Open). He will begin to play the tournament from the main draw that will commence on the 14th of January.
Stefanos Tsitsipas in 2024
Currently the world no.7, the Greek played his last match on the 5th of January when he was defeated by world no.6 Alexander Zverev 6-4 6-4 in the quarter in Australia (draw).
Presently, during this year the Greek has achieved a compiled 1-1 record.
Tsitsipas has scheduled to compete next at the Australian Open (Australian Open). He will start the tournament from the main draw that will commence on the 14th of January.
Novak Djokovic and Stefanos Tsitsipas clashed against each other 13 times. Their current record is 11-2 for Djokovic. The last time they played, Novak Djokovic won 6-3 7-6(4) 7-6(5) in the final in Melbourne (Australian Open) in January 2023.
Here are the highlights.
Novak Djokovic and Stefanos Tsitsipas |
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