TSITSIPAS EYES BOYHOOD DREAM OF MAJOR GLORY
Greek star step closer to first grand slam singles victory but faces massive task to upset Djokovic who has been relentless at the Australian Open
Stefanos Tsitsipas took a step towards becoming the first Greek world No 1 and fulfilling a boyhood dream by yesterday moving into the Australian Open men’s final.
Backed by the predominantly Greek crowd on Rod Laver Arena, the 24-year-old third seed stormed into the second grand slam title clash of his career following Roland Garros in 2021, after a 7-6 (7-2), 6-4, 6-7 (6-8), 6-3 win over Russian 18th seed Karen Khachanov.
Tsitsipas will now meet Novak Djokovic in the final tomorrow after the Serb blasted American Tommy Paul off the court in the other semi-final 7-5, 6-1, 6-2.
“I remember watching [grand slam finals] on TV saying to myself, I want to be there one day myself. I want to recreate that feeling for me,” Tsitsipas said.
“I knew that’s a very long journey to get there. There are certain steps you have to take to give yourself the chance to be competing for something like this. But I very much believed it. First of all, it’s your ego that speaks. You either have it or not, you know? As a kid, I was very confident. Thank God I was good in my country.”
Tsitsipas has always felt at home in Melbourne, which has the largest population of Greek speakers outside Greece and Cyprus and is sure to enjoy massive support again in the title clash tomorrow.
He said he was also delighted to put his country on the map along with women’s world No 6 Maria Sakkari. “I feel blessed that I’m able to play tennis at this level. Maria and I have done an incredible job,” Tsitsipas said.
“I know it probably doesn’t mean as much for Australians because they’ve been always producing players and they’ve always had their fair share of top players but coming from a small country like Greece I’m so grateful I get some more like this.
“I would have never thought I’ll be treated so well here. So I’m extremely happy that I’m going to find out now.”
Paul admitted Djokovic was in a different league but vowed to bounce back and not be a “onehit wonder”.
The American, in the last four of a grand slam for the first time, put up early resistance before the Serbian great moved up a gear to cruise home.
Djokovic is now one victory away from a 10th Melbourne crown and 22nd grand slam title.
“He’s definitely an unbelievable player, especially here in Australia,” Paul said. “In the locker room, I think no one really wants to see him on their part of the draw,” the world No 35 added.
“But in the semis of a slam you’re not going to get a bad player. So to play him here, it was a cool experience. I knew he was going to play really well. Obviously I wish I played a lot better.”
Despite the defeat the 25-yearold Paul enjoyed his best grand slam and is projected to break into the top 20 for the first time when the new rankings come out on Monday, rising to 19.
He said he was “stoked” to make the semi-finals.
“Great two weeks for me,” said Paul, the first American man into the last four of the Australian Open since Andy Roddick in 2009.
“Obviously I’ve got to carry it throughout the whole season. I want to keep moving up the rankings. It would be nice to end the year top 10. I feel like the way I started the year is the right path to do it.
Djokovic later hit out at what he said was a “misinterpretation” of images showing his father posing at the Australian Open with a Russian flag that had Vladimir Putin’s face on it.
Djokovic admitted that the controversy swirling around his father Srdjan had “got to me”, but maintained no harm was meant.
The 35-year-old Djokovic stressed that his father had “no intention whatsoever to support any war initiatives”.
“I saw as everyone else saw what happened and it was unfortunate the misinterpretation of what happened has escalated to such a high level.
“My father, my whole family, have been through several wars. We will never support any violence or war.”
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