In his pursuit of a record-tying 22nd men’s major championship and a victory over Stefanos Tsitsipas in the Australian Open final, Novak Djokovic said he doesn’t feel any difference “in terms of stress.”
On Sunday, Serbia’s Djokovic, 35, takes on the Greek, 24, who is vying for his first Grand Slam victory.
Every Grand Slam is a great chance for me to try to win another title, Djokovic acknowledged.
“I’m not sure how many more chances I’ll get,”
Tsitsipas will have a difficult time overcoming Djokovic, who has just dropped one set this tournament and hasn’t lost in Melbourne since 2018.
Tsitsipas claims he “couldn’t be more ready at this moment” despite the fact that Djokovic is competing in his 33rd major final and he is only playing in his second.
Although Djokovic has won a record nine Australian Open men’s singles titles, he was unable to defend his title last year because of his deportation from Australia as a result of a dispute over his Covid-19 immunization status.
His comeback to Melbourne Park has been hindered by a hamstring injury, and before Friday’s semi-final match against American Tommy Paul, he had to cope with issues surrounding his father Srdjan.
After being photographed with supporters of the Russian president Vladimir Putin, Srdjan Djokovic decided to watch his son’s victory at home to avoid “disruption.”
But the athlete claims that despite having the chance to match Rafael Nadal’s record of winning the most Grand Slam men’s singles titles at the end of two weeks, he is not under any additional pressure.
In comparison to the majority of the other Slams I’ve played in my career, he added, “I don’t believe it’s particularly different in terms of stress or what I’m going through on the court.”
“Naturally, I feel it. The pressure is on. Like any other player, I experience tension. I’m nervous. I experience elation. There are many distinct emotions that are experienced.
“Experience from other situations and this one in particular is helpful. I feel a lot more confident knowing that I have never lost in an Australian Open final.
Of course, the work on the court still needs to be done.
The secret to Tsitsipas eventually making it to the Melbourne final was maturity.
The Australian Open, which is held in a city with a sizable Greek community and is played on a hard court surface where Tsitsipas excels, had long appeared destined for him to reach the final.
The third seed defeated Russia’s Karen Khachanov in the round of four to advance to the Melbourne championship after losing three straight semi-final matches.
He lost to Djokovic in the 2021 French Open final after leading by two sets. This would be his second Grand Slam final.
When questioned earlier this week, Djokovic appeared to forget that he had faced Tsitsipas in the Roland Garros final, and the Greek is similarly attempting to forget about that humiliating defeat.
He added, “I don’t remember either.
Mark Philippoussis, a former Wimbledon finalist, has been a member of Tsitsipas’ staff at Melbourne Park and claims that the 24-year-increasing old’s maturity has aided him in reaching this point.
“Players gain maturity and experience as they play. also includes belief, “said former world number eight Australian Philippoussis.
“The secret has been to take it one match at a time and to not look past what is in front of you,” the author said.
Tsitsipas has won each of his ten games this year, including his four United Cup matches prior to his arrival in Melbourne, where he went undefeated.
His mental fortitude allowed him to defeat Khachanov after failing to win in straight sets, and his athleticism was evident in a five-set triumph over Jannik Sinner in the round of 16.
“I’m doing well in tennis. I’m having a good time. There is simply nothing negative or negative about what I’m attempting to do out there “said he.
I’m really enthusiastic and upbeat about any consequence, any opponent that I have to confront, even if it doesn’t work.
The struggle for supremacy
The winner of the men’s singles Grand Slam final will undoubtedly hold the top spot for a second straight year.
Being ranked first and winning Grand Slams, according to Djokovic, who would break his own record if he did so, remain his top priorities.
“Those two championships at the highest levels of professional tennis have always been my objectives. I definitely want to add to the history of this sport “said he.
Tsitsipas will realize a childhood dream by becoming the 29th player to hold the top spot since the ATP rankings were first introduced in 1973.
“I can still recall thinking to myself as I watched it on television, “I want to be there one day.” I want to experience that sensation again “said he.
“I was aware that the distance would be great. I did place first among juniors in the race. I’d like to accomplish it now on the senior side.”
When the most recent standings are revealed on Monday, whoever loses will be ranked third, with current leader Carlos Alcaraz falling to second.
