Roger Federer gives Stefanos Tsitsipas verdict amid the Greek’s stalled progress
Tennis icon Roger Federer has described Stefanos Tsitsipas as a “great player”, while admitting he would like to see the Greek star “taking it to the next level.”
The 20-time Grand Slam champion thinks Tsitsipas is “still doing well”, but expressed his hope that the 25-year-old can “do great this year” and “have another breakthrough.”
Federer and Tsitsipas faced off four times before the latter’s retirement in 2022 and split their encounters, all of which came during the 2019 season.
Tsitsipas prevailed in four sets in the first meeting between the pair in the last 16 of the Australian Open, while he also won their last clash in the semi-finals of the ATP Finals. The Swiss, meanwhile, got the better of Tsitsipas in the final of the Dubai Championships and the last four of the Swiss Indoors in Basel.
Given the high standards Tsitsipas has set, he is currently going through a challenging spell and has slipped to 11th in the ATP Rankings, having been a constant fixture in the top eight for much the past five years.
Following his excellent run to the Australian Open final in 2023, the former world No 3 went on to have a somewhat underwhelming season, with injury issues playing a role.
Tsitsipas is yet to rediscover his best form in 2024 and struggled in a 2-6, 4-6 defeat to world No 32 Jiri Lehecka in the last 16 of the Indian Wells Masters on Tuesday.
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In a recent interview with Greek outlet Cosmote TV at the 96th edition of the Oscars, Federer was asked for his thoughts on Tsitsipas.
“Good, I mean, I obviously lost against him a bunch of times and I think he’s a great player, but I would like to see him taking it to the next level. So I wish him very well,” the 42-year-old said.
“Of course, Tsitsipas is still doing well, and I hope he can do great this year and have another breakthrough.”
Federer also gave some advice to young players taking up the sport: “Listen to your coach, listen to your parents, work hard, enjoy it and don’t get too frustrated if it doesn’t go well.”
Tsitsipas has frequently named Federer as his biggest idol and has argued the former world No 1 was the greatest ever when it comes to the impact he had on tennis.
“Then it’s Federer, by a landslide. The finesse and beauty he brought to tennis, his magic on the court. I don’t think anyone else will ever match him,” he told ekathimerini.com last year.
The 25-year-old declared in the same interview that Novak Djokovic was the best player in the sport’s history in terms of achievements.
“He (Djokovic) is no doubt the best, going by numbers. He breaks record after record. He also has the thirst, even though he has nothing to prove anymore. That’s how he’s wired,” Tsitsipas added.
“He’s never happy; it’s like he’s always trying to prove something to someone. I don’t know what or to whom. It’s like he always wants a rematch. He has that glint in his eye.”
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