Stefanos Tsitsipas battled laborious on Sunday in opposition to Novak Djokovic within the Internazionali BNL d’Italia ultimate. The issue was once that Novak Djokovic was once just a little higher.
The Greek superstar praised Djokovic, whom he known as a “nice champion”, for his efficiency now not simply in Rome, however during the last a number of years.
“He has the whole lot tuned in with regards to perfection. In the case of his nutrition or his on a regular basis existence, his tennis, he has the whole lot scheduled out in point of fact neatly,” Tsitsipas mentioned. “He is like a Method 1 automobile: each and every unmarried small element can disrupt his rhythm. He makes certain each and every unmarried factor that he does is attaining as with regards to perfection as conceivable.”
Together with his straight-sets victory on the Foro Italico, Djokovic claimed a record-extending thirty eighth ATP Masters 1000 name.
“On the subject of speaking about tennis legends and breaking information, with regards to most of these issues, I in my view suppose he is some of the skilled and the most productive of all of them,” Tsitsipas mentioned.
The Greek and Djokovic will subsequent compete at Roland Garros. Remaining yr, the pair clashed in a memorable championship fit at the terre battue, with the Serbian rallying from two units down to raise the trophy.
They each have misplaced to red-hot Spaniard Carlos Alcaraz this clay-court season. Tsitsipas believes the ones are the 2 main favourites in Paris.
“Presently Carlos Alcaraz or Novak Djokovic. They each play nice, nice tennis. I’d put them as favourites,” Tsitsipas mentioned. “Presently I want to toughen a couple of issues in my recreation. I have no idea if I’ll get there, however I am hoping I do with my laborious paintings by the point Roland Garros starts.
“I’d love myself to get round with those gamers and be there with them. However I will be able to in point of fact want to put somewhat extra consideration to element within the subsequent couple of weeks.”
13-time Roland Garros champion Rafael Nadal may be at all times some of the main favourites on the clay-court primary. However Tsitsipas additionally belongs within the dialog, as he’s going to climb to 2nd within the Pepperstone ATP Race To Turin on Monday.
The 23-year-old is 14-2 on clay this season, incomes his 2nd Masters 1000 crown at Monte Carlo. Tsitsipas isn’t getting forward of himself regardless that, as he prepares to go back to the venue the place he reached his first primary ultimate.
“It is a marathon that I’ve to run. Roland Garros is a marathon Grand Slam. Each and every Grand Slam is a marathon Grand Slam, however particularly Roland Garros,” Tsitsipas mentioned. “It in point of fact takes essentially the most out of you spiritually and bodily when you find yourself out at the courtroom. Clay courts [have] this skill to in point of fact squeeze each and every unmarried a part of you. You need to go away it, your all, available in the market.
“I’m in a position to get a couple of days of leisure and get started practicing once more to get into that Roland Garros mindset. I experience taking part in on this town. I in point of fact hope my tennis permits me to move deep this yr.”
