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Stefanos Tsitsipas insists he has all the attributes to win a major, although he admits he was a bit overconfident when he declared that he is “close to being crowned a Grand Slam champion” after his ATP Finals success.
The Greek won the biggest trophy of his career when he won the season-ending finale at the O2 Arena in London last year and followed it up by saying he is ready to challenge for higher honours.
“I believe I’m really close to being crowned a Grand Slam champion,” he said. “I know these are strong words that I say but I do feel I belong there.”
He then made an early exit from the 2020 Australian Open and, although he hasn’t had a chance to back up his statement due to tennis being on an enforced break, he concedes he put too much pressure on himself.
“Looking back to that I think this was too big of a statement to be taken seriously. I shouldn’t be looking so far so soon,” he told Tennis Majors.
“For sure, I want it to come, but I should be talking about stuff like this less often and concentrate on the present.
“I guess I just put too much pressure on myself, aiming so high and I just have to take it step by step, not think too much about the future and be irrational.”
However, that doesn’t mean he is not backing himself to eventually win a Grand Slam one day.
So far his best display at a major was at the 2019 Australian Open when he beat Roger Federer en route to his first semi-final, but he feels he can go two steps further.
“People always ask me when am I or the Next Gen going to win a Grand Slam. I feel it is going to come if you wait, you don’t have to ask the same question every single time.
“The Big Three are still doing a great job, staying where they are and being so committed to what they do. They are difficult to beat, I won’t lie they are very difficult to beat. They still play at the same level. Maybe not the same, but even better than what they played five, six, seven or eight years ago.
“They are always improving, they are always learning. They are much more experienced than us. Maybe physically they are not the same because of their age.
“I do feel that I am capable of winning Grand Slams, it’s not that I am not capable,” he told Tennis Majors. “I’ve proven myself at the Nitto ATP Finals. I was the last player standing out of all eight, which for sure meant something – it’s not accidental you know?”
- TEAMtalk media
