By Richard Pagliaro | Monday, November 14, 2022
Striding onto the Pala Alpitour court docket, Stefanos Tsitsipas might see the mountain high.
Familiar nemesis Novak Djokovic proceeded to stage the panorama.
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In a conflict of former ATP Finals champions, Djokovic broke within the opening sport sweeping Tsitsipas 6-4, 7-6(4) to win his Turin opener—and finish the Greek’s hopes of rising to year-end No. 1.
World No. 1 Carlos Alcaraz is out for the remainder of the season recovering from a torn stomach.
In Alcaraz’s absence Rafael Nadal and Tsitsipas arrived in Turin with a shot to surpass the US Open champion for the year-end high spot.
Tsitsipas wanted to run the desk, put up a 5-0 file and take the title to make historical past as the primary Greek No. 1.
Though that will not occur this season, Tsitsipas mentioned he deeply believes he’ll attain the highest spot.
“I deeply believe that I can reach that spot one day,” Tsitsipas advised the media in Turin. “I’m not really that much in a rush, to be honest. Of course, it would have been better if it happened this week.
“I’m extra right here for the marathon of all. I see the larger image, the longer run. I’ve loads of alternatives subsequent 12 months to play some good tennis. If it comes, I’ll be very pleased, my nation will probably be very pleased, my household will probably be pleased.”
In the zone! ????@steftsitsipas | #NittoATPFinals pic.twitter.com/CUo20KXKNT
— ATP Tour (@atptour) November 14, 2022
The world No. 3 says ascending to the highest of tennis is an aspiration not an obsession.
“I just have to concentrate on myself, let that thing pass. If it happens, that’s great news,” Tsitsipas mentioned. “But I shouldn’t be obsessing too much about it. I can be happy without it, but of course I will be slightly more fulfilled if it happens in my career.”
The ATP chief in wins this season with 60, Tsitsipas suffered his ninth straight loss to Djokovic. The seven-time Wimbledon winner improved to 10-2 lifetime in opposition to Tsitsipas.
Working with two-time main finalist Mark Philippoussis, Tsitsipas has tried to sharpen his slice backhand and strengthen his return sport. While Tsitsipas is eight on the ATP Tour in service video games held this season (86 %), he is No. 31 in return video games received (21 %).
Trying to adapt to the faster, lower-bouncing Turin court docket, Tsitsipas earned only one break level and received solely 5 factors on Djokovic’s second serve.
“The court is fast. I can’t deny it. It’s fast,” Tsitsipas mentioned. “But I like it. It helps my serve. It helps my first few shots. I wouldn’t say it was an issue. The issue was starting that first game lousy and not getting into the match, picking up very late. On this kind of court, you want to be zoned in as early as possible.
“I failed to take action within the opening of that match.”
Photo credit score: Matthew Stockman/Getty