Greek tennis sensation Stefanos Tsitsipas won the biggest title of his career so far beating Austria’s Dominic Thiem in the final of ATP finals 2-1 sets in London on Sunday.
By Tasos Kokkinidis
The Greek lost the first set on the tie-break 6-7, but came back on the second winning by 6-2. The final set was full of drama, but Tsitsipas won on the tie-break 7-6.
After stunning 6-3, 6-4 Roger Federer on Saturday’s semifinal, Tsitsipas produced another fantastic performance.
“It’s been a roller-coaster. Holding this trophy is amazing,” the world number six said.
“It is a dream come true and the best way to end this match.
“I did get nervous at some points in the match but I managed to forget about how I felt and I had momentum in the tie-break, which was really tight.
“My fighting spirit and me constantly trying to push myself to do better got me there in the end.”
Few would be surprised if Tsitsipas – who fell to the floor in joy with his head in hands once Thiem sent a return wide to hand him victory – followed along that path and he must be viewed as one of the top contenders at the season-opening Australian Open.
At 21 years and three months, Tsitsipas is the youngest Nitto ATP Finals champion since former World No. 1 Lleyton Hewitt (20) in 2001 in Sydney.
Tsitsipas, who earned $2,656,000 in prize money and 1,300 ATP Rankings points in five matches this week, is also the first player since David Nalbandian in 2005 to recover from losing the opening set and claim the title.
Greek Reporter
By Tasos Kokkinidis
The Greek lost the first set on the tie-break 6-7, but came back on the second winning by 6-2. The final set was full of drama, but Tsitsipas won on the tie-break 7-6.
After stunning 6-3, 6-4 Roger Federer on Saturday’s semifinal, Tsitsipas produced another fantastic performance.
“It’s been a roller-coaster. Holding this trophy is amazing,” the world number six said.
THE NEW KING OF LONDON 👑— ATP Tour (@atptour) 17 Νοεμβρίου 2019
🇬🇷 @StefTsitsipas becomes the first Greek player to win the #NittoATPFinals 🙌
🎥: @TennisTV pic.twitter.com/vgqwdbfQiS
“It is a dream come true and the best way to end this match.
“I did get nervous at some points in the match but I managed to forget about how I felt and I had momentum in the tie-break, which was really tight.
“My fighting spirit and me constantly trying to push myself to do better got me there in the end.”
THE FINAL CHAPTER OF THE ODYSSEY— Tennis TV (@TennisTV) 17 Νοεμβρίου 2019
The moment @StefTsitsipas became #NittoATPFinals champion! pic.twitter.com/geMfGGfvv1
Few would be surprised if Tsitsipas – who fell to the floor in joy with his head in hands once Thiem sent a return wide to hand him victory – followed along that path and he must be viewed as one of the top contenders at the season-opening Australian Open.
At 21 years and three months, Tsitsipas is the youngest Nitto ATP Finals champion since former World No. 1 Lleyton Hewitt (20) in 2001 in Sydney.
Tsitsipas, who earned $2,656,000 in prize money and 1,300 ATP Rankings points in five matches this week, is also the first player since David Nalbandian in 2005 to recover from losing the opening set and claim the title.
Greek Reporter