Australian Open 2023 F: Novak Djokovic vs. Stefanos Tsitsipas

[MargaretMcAleer]

Oh well I will go back to bed then good night!

 

[atttomole]

This guy now has the best skillset in the game, ever. Now that he doesn't double-fault as he used to in the past, his serve is almost Fereder-like. He now has every shot in the book.

 

[don_fabio]

Novak at this point just owns Tsitsipas. This was a routine victory. A bit shaky 2nd set from Novak, but that was about it. Greek completely weaponless against Novak's serve, he needs to address all his weaknesses if he wants to have any chances in future matches.

 

[MikeOne]

That’s ridiculous. Stef was the better player that set. Novak was bouncing the damn ball so many times, it makes me root against him.

Which set??? set 3?

Winners/UFE. Tsitsi 18/14, Novak 17/4... HUGE advantage for Novak here, +4 vs +13

Points won: Novak 41-34

Novak held serve easily... Tsitsi had a few struggles...

 

[MikeOne]

what can i say, of all the 3 greats, Novak to me, sets the best example. The perseverance, the resolve, the worth ethic, the belief. This is a man who lived in the shadows of the two before him and now owns all the greatest records and still going

Last year, he was deported for simply staying true to his beliefs and values. Australia let him him, then deported him and cowards blasted him all over the media as some villain. He wasn't allowed to play US tournaments, he didn't get points at Wimbledon. This year, he is accused of faking injuries, his father demonized.... He comes in, wins the AO by playing some of his best tennis at 35 and back to world #1. This man is beyond words. keep hating him... but the man will beat you, every time and have the final laugh.

 

[nehmeth]

Slam #22. Congratulations Novak. No1 in the world again.

 

[Fiero425]

Slam #22. Congratulations Novak. No1 in the world again.

Another "dart to the heart" as another Newbie touts Novak as "The Greatest!" It's been repeatedly said by Sascha, Daniil, & now Stefanos!

 

[nehmeth]

Another "dart to the heart" as another Newbie touts Novak as "The Greatest!" It's been repeatedly said by Sascha, Daniil, & now Stefanos!

Stefanos called him the greatest to have ever held a racquet. Kind words.

 

[don_fabio]

Slam #22. Congratulations Novak. No1 in the world again.

It all falls back in place. Novak wasn't even pushed this slam. It's hard to know where his level really is, but it tells a lot about the competition. I felt like he won this slam being at 70 percent, but could push higher if he was actually challenged. Still won the final in 3 sets. Amazing.

 

[Ricardo]

what a great moment, Novax defeated the system that tried to set him up to fail. I think that's the greatest achievement, and hence why he rated this as his greatest ever victory.....salute, Note!!!

 

[MikeOne]

Tsitispas reminds me of Federer a little. Similar serve, big forehand and one handed backhand. I think he can be #1 and battle Alcaraz for it in next few years.

He faced arguably the GOAT today so even Federer in his prime could've lost in straights. here at AO vs this Djokovic. I think Stef needs to improve his slice and volleys.... then he'll be closer to Federer. I feel Stef needs a better slice and backhand to beat in form Novak, at least on some big occasions.

 

[britbox]

Djoker walking down those records one by one. Not quite ready to pass the torch yet.

 

[Ricardo]

Another "dart to the heart" as another Newbie touts Novak as "The Greatest!" It's been repeatedly said by Sascha, Daniil, & now Stefanos!

dart to whose heart? yet again the champ let down by idiot fanboy who mouths off.

 

[don_fabio]

what a great moment, Novax defeated the system that tried to set him up to fail. I think that's the greatest achievement, and hence why he rated this as his greatest ever victory.....salute, Note!!!

Not been allowed to play here last year hurt him a lot, but he came back on a mission to erase that. Nothing better than to lift a trophy again. He cried when he came to his box after the last point, that tells how much it meant to him.

 

[nehmeth]

McEnroe brothers both said a better more consistent slice is imperative for Stefanos with his one handed backhand. I tend to agree.

 

[PhiEaglesfan712]

It all falls back in place. Novak wasn't even pushed this slam. It's hard to know where his level really is, but it tells a lot about the competition. I felt like he won this slam being at 70 percent, but could push higher if he was actually challenged. Still won the final in 3 sets. Amazing.

Novak wasn't pushed in this slam because last year's slam finalists either were injured (Alcaraz, Kyrgios) or lost early (Nadal, Ruud, Medvedev). I highly doubt Novak is going to win the French Open, especially if Alcaraz is healthy, and players like Nadal and Ruud rediscover their form. Kyrgios (if healthy) will be a challenge to Novak at Wimbledon, and Medvedev (if he ever returns to his pre-2022 AO final form) will be a challenge to Novak at any hard court slam.

 

[Ricardo]

Tsitispas reminds me of Federer a little. Similar serve, big forehand and one handed backhand. I think he can be #1 and battle Alcaraz for it in next few years.

He faced arguably the GOAT today so even Federer in his prime could've lost in straights. here at AO vs this Djokovic. I think Stef needs to improve his slice and volleys.... then he'll be closer to Federer. I feel Stef needs a better slice and backhand to beat in form Novak, at least on some big occasions.

His serve and forehand are not quite Federer level, got a great volley with better reach than Fed except he missed a few when it counted. Alcaraz is also a bit better than him, like Stefanos said he has never seen someone who hit so big consistently. Medvedev would have been the best player to give Nole a match, if he didn't run into red hot Korda. He has the right style, being a brickwall himself.

Best match for Novax, was when he demolished De Minaur.....that was a statement match, middle finger to the 'system' that screwed him up last year.

 

[don_fabio]

McEnroe brothers both said a better more consistent slice is imperative for Stefanos with his one handed backhand. I tend to agree.

I agree too and it's not the only thing he needs to improve. I've been waiting for Tsitsipas version 2.0 to appear by now, but he is more or less the same player he was a few years ago, with same weaknesses.

 

[Ricardo]

Nadal is not going to recover his form even at RG as his body is too far gone. Maybe Novak can surprise us with the Grand Slam?

 

[don_fabio]

Novak wasn't pushed in this slam because last year's slam finalists either were injured (Alcaraz, Kyrgios) or lost early (Nadal, Ruud, Medvedev). I highly doubt Novak is going to win the French Open, especially if Alcaraz is healthy, and players like Nadal and Ruud rediscover their form. Kyrgios (if healthy) will be a challenge to Novak at Wimbledon, and Medvedev (if he ever returns to his pre-2022 AO final form) will be a challenge to Novak at any hard court slam.

Nadal will be a heavy favorite in RG as usual. Not counting there much for Novak after the last match he played there against Rafa in RG22. Still I think Novak will be a heavy favorite to win Wimbledon. Then USO goes to someone like Alcaraz.