Stefanos Tsitsipas after ATP final triumph: "I'm close to Grand Slam victory"
Greece's young tennis star Stefanos Tsitsipas , following his triumph at the ATP Finals in London, is aiming for his first victory in one of the four major tournaments next year.
by SID
last edit: Nov 18, 2019, 09:32 am
"I think I'm close to being crowned a Grand Slam champion," said the 21-year-old, "I know that's big words, but I'm convinced I'm there."
His game is "getting better with time," Tsitsipas said: "I measure myself with the best players in the world and have the feeling that the effort I make deserves such a result." The World Ranking Six had defeated Austrian Dominic Thiem 6: 7 (6: 8), 6: 2, 7: 6 (7: 4) in a thrilling final on Sunday evening, winning his first major title on the ATP Tour. He follows on the German last year's winner Alexander Zverev, who had lost on Saturday in the semifinals against Thiem. "It was a rollercoaster ride, thanks to my team for making my dreams come true," Tsitsipas said. "This tournament was incredible, I've never felt so much support."
Before their duel for the ATP crown, Tsitsipas and Thiem had heaped praise on each other. While Thiem called the young Greek a "giant player" whom he also "likes to watch," Tsitsipas described his opponent as a role model that "inspired" him and made him a "better version of myself."
On his way to the final Tsitsipas had turned off at his premiere in London after victories against Daniil Medvedev and Zverev and a narrow defeat against Rafael Nadal in the knockout round record winner Roger Federer. Now he succeeded in the seventh comparison with Thiem the third victory. Tsitsipas is the youngest winner of the prestigious elite event since the Australian Lleyton Hewitt in 2001.