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Opponent's beautiful nod to 'greatest ever' - CtrlF.XYZ

Opponent's beautiful nod to 'greatest ever'

2 years ago 68

It's customized for a subordinate to congratulate and wage tribute to their hostile pursuing a tennis final.

But what Stefanos Tsitsipas said astir Novak Djokovic to millions of radical connected Sunday nighttime went beyond the accustomed pleasantries.

The 24-year-old Greek formed a devastated fig aft losing different expansive slam final, this clip a straight-sets demolition occupation astatine the hands of the Serbian champion connected Rod Laver Arena.

AS IT HAPPENED: Re-live the 2023 Australian Open men's final

But when Tsitsipas was called up to the microphone to judge the Australian Open runner-up trophy, nary 1 could person expected what was to come.

"Novak, I don't cognize what to accidental - it speaks for [itself] what you person achieved truthful far. It's each successful the numbers," Tsitsipas said arsenic helium turned to look his victor.

"It's been an unbelievable travel for you truthful I respect what you person done for our sport.

"I deliberation you marque maine a amended subordinate erstwhile I americium connected the court, truthful convey you.

"I've had the privilege to play a batch of difficult, high-intensity matches but I would similar to accidental 1 much clip Novak brings the champion retired successful me.

"He's the top that has ever held a tennis racquet for sure."

Men’s Final Highlights: Stefanos Tsitsipas v Novak Djokovic

Tsitsipas past thanked Djokovic for his wider contributions to the sport.

The triumph connected Sunday was Djokovic's 22nd expansive slam title, drafting level erstwhile much with chap modern fable Rafael Nadal.

Tsitsipas, meanwhile, is starring a ample radical of players fundamentally waiting for that brace to retire, having yet to triumph a large tournament.

"I'd similar to convey you for pushing our athletics truthful far," helium continued.

"I deliberation it deserves a subordinate similar you that pushes everyone, each azygous player, each azygous idiosyncratic that's progressive successful the athletics to the max."

Djokovic tells kids to 'dream big'

Djokovic was intelligibly moved by the compliments from his Australian Open opponent.

When helium was presented the trophy, his archetypal determination was to crook to Tsitsipas and repay the favour.

"I person to accidental that I'm touched by Stefanos's words," Djokovic said.

"Thank you truthful overmuch for being truthful benignant and respectful. I admit that.

"I deliberation we some would hold that, of course, connected the tribunal we are fierce competitors and we privation to triumph against each other. But that doesn't mean that we shouldn't respect each other.

"And we admit each other's efforts, truthful I admit your effort and I congratulate you connected an astonishing tournament."

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