‘Andy Murray, Roger Federer, Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal shaped the game’ – Stefanos Tsitsipas

Ewan West 08 Jul 2023 11:27 AM

Stefanos Tsitsipas celebrates winning at Wimbledon

Stefanos Tsitsipas has declared that Andy Murray, Roger Federer, Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal “shaped the game” and are “the reason I am the player I am today.”

The world No 5 expressed his admiration for Murray after defeating the Brit at Wimbledon and revealed he “had goosebumps” when he first won the title in 2013.

Tsitsipas edged the two-time Wimbledon champion 7-6(3), 6-7(2), 4-6, 7-6(3), 6-4 in a high-quality second round match that finished on Friday after being suspended on Thursday night.

The Centre Court contest was halted due to the 11pm Wimbledon curfew after Murray took the third set, before Tsitsipas won the fourth and fifth sets when play resumed.

The Greek overcame 2020 US Open champion Dominic Thiem in five sets in the opening round in another match played over two days due to rain delays.

Following his victory over Murray, Tsitsipas praised the 36-year-old and highlighted the role of all of the ‘Big Four’ in his career.

“It was a very difficult game and I’m impressed how well he holds up after his hip surgeries and his level today. I wish him the best in the future,” said the 24-year-old in a post-match interview.

“It was nerve-wracking. It was an obstacle and it’s extra difficult when you’ve grown up watching him play on this court. I had goosebumps when he won his first Wimbledon title and his courageous run in 2012.

“I looked up to him, Roger [Federer] Novak [Djokovic] and Rafa [Nadal], so these four guys shaped the game and they are [the] reason I am the player I am today.”

The world No 5 also discussed the physical challenge of facing former world No 1 Murray in a Grand Slam.

“A little bit [tired]. It doesn’t come easy, especially when you’re playing Andy Murray. He’s a marathon man. He likes making it long. He likes being out there for hours and hours. That’s also a part of his strength as a tennis player,” Tsitsipas said in his press conference.

“He has the capacity and the ability to stay for a long duration on the court, making it physical. That was the case today. Those two sets felt really long. I remember at some point on the fifth, I was thinking it feels like we were playing forever. That’s the sensation that I got.”

Tsitsipas will face world No 60 Laslo Djere in the third round of Wimbledon today.