“Novak Djokovic makes sure every single thing that he does is reaching as close to perfection as possible”: Tsitsipas

Tsitsipas says Alcaraz and Djokovic are the favourites for the French Open, which kicks off in Paris on May 22

Serbia’s Novak Djokovic celebrates with the trophy after winning the final alongside Greece’s Stefanos Tsitsipas Image Credit: AI / Reuters / Panoramic

Haresh Ramchandani

May 16, 2022

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After going down to world No 1 Novak Djokovic in the final of the Italian Open in Rome on Sunday, Stefanos Tsitsipas described his conqueror as a Formula 1 car, who does everything he can to attain perfection.

Djokovic defeated Tsitsipas 6-0, 7-6, coming from 2-5 down in the second set, to win his first title in 2022 and his sixth at Foro Italico.

“Novak is a great champion. I have so much respect for him. Every single decision he has made, I understand it, even the ones in the past. I support them. I think he’s a very wise person and he knows exactly what he’s doing when it comes to his career and his life. He has everything tuned in close to perfection. When it comes to his diet or his everyday life, his tennis, he has everything scheduled out really well,” Tsitsupas told the press after the loss on Sunday.

“He’s like a Formula 1 car: every single small detail can disrupt his rhythm. He makes sure every single thing that he does is reaching as close to perfection as possible. Of course I cannot neglect that and not feel inspired by it because it’s professionalism to the fullest. In terms of talking about tennis legends and breaking records, when it comes to all these things, I personally think he’s one of the most professional and the best of them all.”

Carlos Alcaraz and Novak Djokovic are the favourite for Roland-Garros: Tsitsipas

With the title, Djokovic has put his name back into the list of Roland-Garros favourites, which was spearheaded by Spanish teenager Carlos Alacraz before Sunday’s result. Alcaraz broke through to win the Bareclona and Madrid titles to climb to No 6 in the world and emerge as the bookmaker’s favourite for following in the footsteps of his countryman and Djokovic’s arch-rival Rafael Nadal and win the French Open at the age of 19.

Tsitsipas, who lost to Carlos Alcaraz in the Barcelona quarter-finals, believes that the Spanish teen and Djokovic are the favourites for Roland-Garros and added that he hopes to improve a few things in his game before the tournaments starts on May 22.

“Right now Carlos Alcaraz or Novak Djokovic. They both play great, great tennis. I would put them as favorites. Right now I need to improve a few things in my game. I don’t know if I’m going to get there, but I hope I do with my hard work by the time Roland Garros begins. I’d love myself to get around with these players and be there with them. But I will really need to put a bit more attention to detail in the next couple of weeks.”

The Greek player, who is known to share some of his philosophical insights with his followers on social media, described Roland-Garros as a marathon Slam which takes the most out of a player both spiritually and physically.

“It’s a marathon that I have to run. Roland Garros is a marathon Grand Slam. Every Grand Slam is a marathon Grand Slam, but specifically Roland Garros. It really takes the most out of you spiritually and physically when you’re out on the court. Clay court has this ability to really squeeze every single part of you. You have to leave it, your all, out there. I’m ready to get a few days of rest and start practicing again to get into that Roland Garros mindset. I enjoy playing in this city. I really hope my tennis allows me to go deep this year.”