No.1 status 'a childhood dream' for Tsitsipas

1 year ago 52

The grin said it each arsenic Stefanos Tsitsipas realised the enormity of what whitethorn travel successful a substance of days arsenic satellite No.1 presumption looms.

After defeating Russia's Karen Khachanov successful the Australian Open semi last – 7-6, 6-4, 6-7, 6-3 – the Greek tennis could spell to the apical for the archetypal clip successful his career.

A triumph volition enactment Tsitsipas to the top, leapfrogging the existent satellite No.1 subordinate Carlos Alcaraz, chap Spaniard Rafael Nadal, and Norwegian breakout Casper Ruud.

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It's the archetypal clip Tsitsipas has made it to the Australian Open last having antecedently made it to the semi finals connected 4 occasions.

"I similar that number," helium told Jim Courier astir the No.1 ranking.

"It's each astir you. It's singular. It's one.

"These are the moments I've been moving hard for, to beryllium capable to play finals similar this, but finals that person a bigger meaning than conscionable a final.

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"It's a expansive slam final. I'm warring for the No.1 spot. It's a puerility imagination to beryllium capable to beryllium capturing that spot 1 day. I'm close."

Tsitsipas has drawn a steadfast supporting cast, with Greek flags aplenty astatine his matches.

The occasional condemnation of Australian slang besides earnt him favour, truthful it was nary astonishment that Rod Laver Arena erupted erstwhile helium expressed his acknowledgment to play a last connected the famed court.

"I consciousness blessed for the information that I'm capable to play tennis astatine this level," said Tsitsipas.

"I've been wanting for galore years to enactment Greek tennis connected the map. I cognize it astir apt doesn't mean arsenic overmuch for Australians due to the fact that you're ever producing astonishing players.

"They've ever had their just stock of high, apical players, but coming from a tiny state similar Greece, I'm truthful grateful that I get enactment similar this.

"I ne'er wouldn't person thought I would beryllium treated truthful good here."

Tsitsipas charges into Australian Open final

The semi last berth brought backmost puerility memories for Tsitsipas, who watched Cypriot tennis prima Marcos Baghdatis marque the Australian Open last successful 2006.

Tsitsipas said Baghdatis was courtside for Friday's semi final.

"I archetypal watched Marcos Baghdatis bash it a mates of years agone beryllium successful the finals playing successful this tribunal and I dreamed arsenic a kid to possibly 1 time vie connected this tribunal against the champion players successful the world," said Tsitsipas.

"I'm blessed with the combat I enactment retired determination today. It brings backmost memories from watching it arsenic a kid connected TV and cheering him on.

"Unfortunately, it didn't spell his way, but helium is successful our hearts and I ever see him arsenic 1 of my favourite players. He's here, convey god. He's present somewhere."

Tsitsipas volition look the victor of Friday night's different lucifer featuring red-hot tourney favourite Novak Djokovic and Tommy Paul.

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