Stefanos Tsitsipas pays tribute to Alexander Zverev after win: I actually owe him a lot

They don’t always see eye-to-eye, but Stefanos Tsitsipas hailed Alexander Zverev as being “part of this elite group” and inspiring him to “step it up and be part of the top 10”.
The duo squared off in Group Andre Agassi at the ATP Finals and it was debutant Tsitsipas who got the better of the defending champion.
The Greek dominated proceedings as he broke once in the first set and twice in the second to secure a 6-3, 6-2 victory, which earned him a place in the semi-finals.
Loving the London life 🙌⁰⁰@StefTsitsipas beats Zverev to record his second win from two matches at his maiden #NittoATPFinals! pic.twitter.com/rDTJjwpBnz
— Tennis TV (@TennisTV) November 13, 2019
It was a clinical display from the 21-year-old, who is the first Greek to reach the season-ending tournament.
“I can say I’m surprised by my performance today,” he said. “I did everything right and once again it was not just me but a whole bunch of excited people came to support me. It was a crew situation.
“I’m just playing my game. I have a clear picture, a clear mindset on court. I’ve been mixing my game a lot, trying to be unpredictable. I think my serve has improved tremendously over the last couple of months.”
Tsitsipas and Zverev have had their moments this year and made it clear they are not friends away from the court, but the former had nothing but good things to say about the German after the match.
“I always find an extra motivation, an extra reason to play well against the top guys. I consider Sascha also being of this part of this elite group,” he said. “He has done very well over the years. He has, in a way, inspired me to step it up and be part of the top 10. So in a way I actually owe him a lot. He plays good tennis. Also playing Rafa [Nadal], Roger [Federer], Novak [Djokovic], Andy [Murray] — I haven’t played Andy, but I think there is plenty to learn from them.
“You have been watching them on TV. You have always wanted to be part of that. So for you, when you step out on the court… it’s a visual. When you see something that you have been dreaming of, I think there is always a spark, kind of an extra reason to play.”
Like our Facebook page and follow us on Twitter @T365Official.
Latest
-
WTA Tour
Elina Svitolina to return only five months after giving birth as comeback event is confirmed
Elina Svitolina all set for her comeback.
-
ATP Tour
When did Stefanos Tsitsipas decide to become a tennis player?
Stefanos Tsitsipas has leaned on his father for advice throughout his career.
-
ATP Tour
Taylor Fritz finds quarter-final defeat hard to stomach and girlfriend Morgan Riddle becomes a meme again
Taylor Fritz was gutted to fall on the cusp of the weekend.
-
Billie Jean King Cup
Emma Raducanu absent from settled British BJK Cup squad
Emma Raducanu is absent from an otherwise settled Billie Jean King Cup group for Great Britain.
-
French Open
Daniil Medvedev and Cameron Norrie are 2023’s clay court dark horses who could cause a French Open upset
Could Cameron Norrie become the first British man to win Roland Garros in the open era.
-
WTA Tour
WTA chief responds to criticism of tennis’ lack of support for Ukraine players
“We think that the neutral approach is appropriate,” says WTA boss.
-
ATP Tour
Holger Rune also not a fan of the slow Indian Wells courts – ‘You had to play clay tennis mentally’
“I never had bite in my shots and the serve went weirdly dead.”
-
WTA Tour
Elena Rybakina rates her chances against Iga Swiatek, who is ‘physically one of the best’
Who do you think will come out on top? Iga Swiatek or Elena Rybakina?
-
Tennis News
Elena Rybakina on criticism of her coach: ‘I think it was disrespectful to him and to me’
“Hopefully, we won’t get any other comments like these,” says Elena Rybakina.
-
Tennis News
Daniil Medvedev ‘feels sorry for all the Ukrainian players and what they go through’
Medvedev also feels players “have a responsibility”.