Stefanos Tsitsipas said he learned a tough lesson after coming agonisingly close to his first Grand Slam title at the French Open.
Tsitsipas, who is the first Greek player to have ever contested the final of a major, led Novak Djokovic by two sets before losing. Getting broken five times over the final three sets of the match. The 22-year-old believes the change of match momentum started shortly after Djokovic exited the court to take a comfort break after losing the second set.
“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. Two sets don’t really mean anything. It’s still one away from winning the entire match,” said Tsitsipas.
“I don’t think I changed much. I just kept the same pace. I kept the things that were working for me.’
“But he (Djokovic) 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.”
The Greek admits that he is perplexed as to why his form on the court declined so rapidly as the final progressed. He did take a medical time out for what looked to be a lower back issue. However, Tsitsipas later confirmed it was to treat a ‘hip blockage’ which later returned to normal. Dismissing any concerns about physical problems heading into the grass swing.
“I kind of lost my game a little bit. I really wish I could understand why things like this happened and evolved,” he reflected.
“It was difficult to come up with something (in the match). It’s very unfortunate, very sad in the same way because it was a good opportunity. I was playing good. I was feeling good. I lost an opportunity to do something better today.”
Amid the defeat, the world No.5 is still experiencing a stellar 2021 where he has won more matches on the ATP Tour (39) than any other player. He has won titles in Monte Carlo and Lyon. In Paris, he scored three consecutive wins over top 20 players Pablo Carreno Busta, Daniil Medvedev and Alexander Zverev.
During the trophy ceremony Djokovic backed his rival to win major titles in the future and believes their encounter will be a big learning experience for him. A view Tsitsipas also shares.
“Despite my loss today, I have faith in my game. I very much believe I can get to that point (of winning a Grand Slam) very soon,” he stated.
“Every opponent is difficult. There’s a small difference between the player I played today and the ones from before. If I don’t downgrade myself, I see no reason for me not to be holding that trophy one day.”
Tsitsipas will rise to a ranking high of four on Monday.
