SUBSCRIBE TO NEWSLETTER!
Search:
2024
2023
2022
2021
2020
2019
2018
Latest News
Featured News
Book Reviews
Videos
ATP Singles
ATP Doubles
WTA Singles
WTA Doubles
News
Scores
Rankings
Lucky Letcord Podcast
Shop
Pro Gear
Pickleball
Gear Sale
Popular This Week
Alcaraz: Pain-Free but Unwilling to Hit Forehand wit...
HJTEP 52nd Annual Gala Set for NYC, Tickets on Sale ...
Sabalenka: Watching Men's Tennis More Fun
Nadal: Trying to Give Best, It's Not Always There
Vondrousova Shares Heartbreak of Divorce
Lenglen Gets a Makeover: New Roof Set to Debut on Ma...
Mauresmo: Nadal Seed at Roland Garros Not on the Tab...
Net Posts
Industry Insider
Second Serve
Add to Flipboard Magazine.
Tsitsipas: Good Wasn't Enough
By Richard Pagliaro
Holding a two-set lead in the French Open final,
Stefanos Tsitsipas
could see the finish line as clearly as the baseline.
Then world No. 1
Novak Djokovic
climbed off the red clay canvas and fought his way past Tsitsipas to his 19th major championship with a 6-7(6), 2-6, 6-3, 6-2, 6-4 triumph.
More:
Djokovic Rallies to 19th Grand Slam Title in Paris
In a rematch of the 2020 Roland Garros semifinal, Tsitsipas suffered his fifth straight loss to Djokovic.
Afterward, Tsitsipas summed up a gut-wrenching, four hour, 11-minute loss simply: he didn't finish what he started.
"What I learned today is that no matter what, in order for the match to be finished, you have to win three sets and not two," Tsitsipas said. "Two sets doesn't really mean anything. It's still one away of winning the entire match."
The Australian Open champion left the court to change clothes after dropping the second set and returned to impose his identity on the match. Tsitsipas said Djokovic was a different player after the break and lifted his level.
"I don't think I relaxed. I don't think I changed much," Tsitsipas said. "I just kept the same pace. I kept the things that were working for me. But it ended up, I don't know, he left the court after two sets to love down, I don't know what happened there, but he came back to me like a different player suddenly.
"I don't know. I have no idea. He played really well. He gave me no space."
Still, Tsitsipas will move up to a career-high No. 4 in the rankings and his athletic all-court game should translate to Wimbledon's lawns. Tsitsipas said if he sustains self-belief, he will raise a Grand Slam trophy someday.
"I believe, yes, I'm able to play for titles like this," Tsitsipas said. "Despite my loss today, I have faith in my game. I very much believe I can get to that point very soon. I was close today. Every opponent is difficult. There's a small difference between the player I played today and the ones from before.
"But I think with the same attitude and the same -- if I don't downgrade myself, I see no reason for me not to be holding that trophy one day."
Photo credit: Roland Garros Facebook
Posted:
Latest News
Arms Race: Defending Champ Alcaraz Rolls in Madrid R...
Nadal Trots Past 16-Year-Old Blanch in Madrid
Gauff Posts Shutout, Samsonova Edges Osaka in Madrid
"I'm Not Expecting to Be Like Iga" - Upbea...
Nadal: Not Fully Fit for Madrid Farewell, Will Do Ev...
Djokovic Earns World Sportsman of the Year, Tennis S...
TENNISNOW.COM
News
Blogs
Vlogs
Forums
Arcade
Members
TENNIS NOW TV
Daily News Vlog
Gear Guide
Catching Up With...
Feeds
News Feed
Blog Feed
TV Feed
ON TOUR
Scores
Player Profiles
ATP Calendar
WTA Calendar
TV Listings
PARTNERS
Instructional
Find Tennis Lessons Near You
Tennis Lessons Online with Tom Avery
Fuzzy Yellow Balls - Video Tennis Lessons
Tennis Gear
Tennis Express - Racquets, Shoes, and Apparel
About Us
|
Contact Us
|
Links Directory
|
Privacy Policy