At the 2022 U.S. Open, Carlos Alcaraz and Casper Ruud did not simply battle for their first Grand Slam title. That final at Flushing Meadows was also a winner-take-all affair for the No. 1 spot in the ATP rankings.
The story is a similar one heading into Sunday’s Australian Open championship match. Whoever wins between Novak Djokovic and Stefanos Tsitsipas will not only lift the Norman Brooks Challenge Cup but also climb to world No. 1. Of course, that wouldn’t be anything new for Djokovic. The 35-year-old holds the all-time ATP record for most weeks spent atop the rankings at 373. For Tsitsipas, however, it would mark his first time as the king of the tour–just as it was for Alcaraz last summer and just as it would have been for Ruud had the Norwegian defeated the Spaniard in New York.
“I like that number,” Tsitsipas said of No. 1 during his on-court interview following Friday’s 7-6(2), 6-4, 6-7(6), 6-3 semifinal victory over Karen Khachanov. “It’s all about you; it’s singular. These are the moments I’ve been working hard for, to be able to play in finals like this, that have a bigger meaning than just the final. It’s a childhood dream to be capturing that No. 1 spot one day. I’m close. I’m happy that this opportunity comes here in Australia, because this is a place of significance. Let’s do it guys. Let’s go!
“I did finish as a junior No. 1,” he added. “Now I want to do it in the men’s side, in the men’s professional tennis.”
To get there he will have to take down the most dominant player in the history of the Australian Open men’s singles competition. Djokovic has won 21 major titles overall, nine of which have come in Melbourne. The Serb extended his match winning streak at this tournament to 27 with his 7-5, 6-1, 6-2 rout of Tommy Paul on Friday night.
“Of course it [adds extra significance],” Djokovic said of No. 1 also being at stake in addition to another slam triumph. “Winning Grand Slams and being the No. 1 in the world are probably the two biggest peaks that you can climb as a professional tennis player. Let’s see what happens.”
Let’s go, Tsi!!!!!!….in 3
Time for Tsit to step up, we will see.
Step up Steph. The fans on both sides have been great this week , cant wait for the final.
Congrats on your Saalenka, getting her to the final. Well done! Nobody will want to play either of them this year!
Tsitsipas in 5, maybe 4.
Tsitsipas in 5, maybe 4
Tsitsipas in 5, maybe 4.
Providing Khachanov didnt take too much out of him.
Tsitsipas in 5, maybe 4
Providing Khachanov didnt take too much out of him. The fact that he had a tough match and Djokovic an easy match probably levels the playing field in a match that on paper, Tsitsipas probably wins. Tough one to call.
I can see picking Tsitsipas to win based on various circumstances, but I don’t see how anyone is yet favored ‘on paper’ against Djokovic. To the contrary, I think Steph faces the same problem the commentator attributed to Rublev the other night: How do you play someone you know is better at tennis than you?
Interesting point, Joe. I watched the expressions on Rublev’s face during his match with Novak.
I would say thats a question thats not at all unusual for players.
The point though, how do you beat the best on their best surface?
Thats not even mentioning the experience in Slam finals.
I still think this is going to be a close match but Djokovic will play better at key moments
Probably the same but a little bit better than the last time you played when only a single point at a critical moment determined the match.
You just have to hope that this time, the balance is titled in your favor for whatever reason.
…and the further they go into their respective careers, the more the balance becomes titled in favor of the younger player as he moves closer to his peak and the other moves further away from theirs.
Such a valid point. Is the hand of history pausing before it taps Djokovich’s shoulder, hovers, moves towards Tsit, hovers again, lands or moves back? I think it moves back, but there will come a time…….
Tsitsipas is currently undefeated this year, much like his form during the 2020 clay court season. However, he is now more mature and has experienced the disappointment of losing a final while leading 2 sets to none. These factors, along with changes to his coaching team, all contribute to improving his chances of winning it this time.
Novak should win this match as he is playing amazing tennis right now. I’m leaning Novak
The third-set tiebreak (Khachanov v. Tsitsipas) yesterday has me hoping for more improvements from the Russians. I still believe in Medvedev, Khachanov, and maybe Rublev.
Tsisipas has many talents, skills, and variety.
Stef’s time will come but not today.🤞
“but not today” sounds like a quote, is it from “Lord of the Rings?”
N. Djokovic will win his 10th Australian Open and 22nd Grand Slam title.
He has only dropped one set in this tournament, Novak can win in 3 sets but tsitsipas but I won’t be surprised if Tsitsi wins a set or 2.
He only dropped a set, but he dropped that set to a guy ranked 191 in the world. Very hard to tell his true level from the players he faced or the stats of those matches.
Hey guys!! Steph”s playing better now but I don’t quite understand his strategy. I believe he needs to be more efficient and not engage in too many rallies with Novak. And he is yet able get into any of Novak”s service games. Let’s c what happens in second set