Novak Djokovic in the final against Stefanos Tsitsipas on a historic mission – these are the key factors

You could almost think it would have this endgame in the French Open 2021 between Novak Djokovic and Stefanos Tsitsipas never given.

“Stefanos has never played a Grand Slam final,” the Serb announced a few days ago in Melbourne – to the great astonishment of the press, who immediately pointed out his mistake to the 35-year-old. He also “can’t remember” this match, Tsitsipas said.

At that time, the Athenian gave up a 2-0 set lead, on Sunday (9:30 a.m. live in the ticker and bei discovery+) he wants to do better. The question is how? The record against the Serbs is 2:10, the last nine games have all gone to Djokovic.

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In addition, the superstar from Belgrade has not lost a game against the professionals from the Tsitsipas generation at Grand Slam level – with one exception, as Karen Khachanov interjects and gives the Greek a tip for the final.

Khachanov rät Tsitsipas: Mal Medvedev anrufen

“No one from this generation has beaten Novak at a major except Daniil Medvedev in the US Open final. Maybe Stefanos should call him and ask what he did that day,” joked the 26-year-old.

Khachanov advises Tsitsipas before Djokovic duel: “Call Medvedev”

Whereby the gag definitely has a background worth considering.

Finally stood Djokovic ahead of the 2021 US Open final mentioned also ahead of an epochal step. With a win, he would have become the first player in the Open Era to win the Grand Slam, winning all four major competitions in one season. It turned out differently.

Becker exclusively on the final: “It fulfills childhood dreams”

And the match on Sunday will certainly not be a sure-fire success for Djokovic. “We all take it for granted: Djoker does it. No, folks – that’s not normal, Novak is getting older too. He’s 35 years old now. You noticed on the pitch that he was panting a little more than usual”, analyzed Boris Becker at Eurosport the situation of his former protégé.

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“It’s a dream final! If a Grand Slam final is also about number one, that fulfills childhood dreams. Tsitsipas already said that,” continued the two-time Melbourne champion.

And there are certainly arguments that Djokovic’s dream of the Nadal record bursts and that of Tsitsipas’ first Grand Slam crown is fulfilled instead.

Becker: “Tsitsipas better than ever in Melbourne”

“Stefanos looks very good, better than I’ve ever seen him in Melbourne,” says Becker, picking a scene from the as an example Four-set success in the semifinals against Karen Khachanov out.

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“In recent years, after losing the third set, you would have seen a Tsitsipas break the racket or take a toilet break.” In the meantime, the 24-year-old has “become much calmer. That has to do with experience, he has had to experience bitter defeats and learned from them.”

Henman: That’s what Djokovic’s career is about

The fourth in the world rankings may be able to benefit from the immense pressure on Djokovic. The tenth title at the Australian Open and the chance to win again Number one in the ATP ranking to become is a nice incentive for the veteran, explains ex-professional Tim Henman in the Eurosport interview“but the most important thing is the 22, because that’s what his career is about”.

Djokovic knows full well that the famous biological clock is ticking, maybe this Australian Open is the biggest chance to beat Nadal’s record yet. The Spaniard himself retired early, plagued with hip problems. The third of the Big 3, Roger Federer, has long since ended his career.

Djokovic – what is the impact of the father incident?

In addition, after the flag incident involving Srdjan Djokovic, the Djokovic team is distracted and has to smooth media waves.

Djokovic explains incident about father Srdjan: That’s how the situation came about

“Obviously it’s not comfortable for me to go through all that. With all the things I’ve been involved with in Australia last year and this year, it’s not something I want or need,” admitted the superstar after Getting into the final to.

It has not yet been decided whether dad will be back in the box for the final, “but I would like him to be there,” Djokovic said. A concern that Tsitsipas does not have. He can count on his father and trainer Apostolos – and in the end it’s the little things that decide big matches…

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