“A tough challenge for both of us,” says Novak Djokovic ahead of semifinal match against Stefanos Tsitsipas


“A tough challenge for both of us,” says Novak Djokovic ahead of semifinal match against Stefanos Tsitsipas
Novak Djokovic (left), Stefanos Tsitsipas (right)

The World No.1 Novak Djokovic and the World No.6 Stefanos Tsitsipas are set to lock horns in the semi-finals of the French Open 2020. 

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The duo have had a great run in the year so far, as on one hand, Djokovic is the male player with the most wins this year. The Greek is at the third spot in this list, right behind Andrey Rublev, the man he beat in the quarter-finals yesterday.

“You cannot expect anything,” says Tsitsipas ahead of clash against Novak Djokovic

Stefanos Tsitsipas

Tsitsipas advanced to the semi-finals of the French Open for the first time in his career. 

In his on-court interview after his match against Rublev, Tsitsipas said, “You cannot expect anything. I wasn’t expecting playing semi-finals of the Australian Open. It’s a dream, of course. But ‘expect’? I’m expecting since a young age to potentially triumph at these Grand Slams. I’m happy that I’m able to be in a position where I am today. Yeah, it’s very, very satisfying.”

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Alluding to learning from past run at the Australian Open 2019 semi-finals, he said, “I think I can learn from the previous one. I’m chasing something spectacular,” in his Roland Garros Press Conference.

On what he might face in the upcoming clash, he stated, “An opponent is an opponent. Doesn’t matter if he is injured or not. An injury is not going to play anything. I have to play the way I have to play. I’m approaching that match with the same intensity and the same focus that I’ve been doing the last few matches.”

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“I expect a really tough challenge for both of us,” says Novak Djokovic

Novak Djokovic

In his Roland Garros Press Conference, the Serbian said, “He’s (Tsitsipas) one of the best players in the world, deservedly where he is in rankings. He’s been playing the tennis of his life in the past 12 months. He has an all-around game.”

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“I think he’s one of the hardest-working guys out there. I expect a really tough, tough match, tough challenge for both of us. Semi-finals of a Grand Slam, this is what you expect. This is what I get. I’m hopefully going to be able to feel my best and play my best,” concluded Djokovic who in aiming to add an 18th Grand Slam title to his mantle.

The duo is on course to compete on 9th October for a spot in the finals of the French Open 2020.

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