Page 76 - Sharp Spring 2023

WATCH WATCH WATCH THE THRONE
STÉFANOS TSITSIPAS HAS NEVER BEEN CLOSER TO WINNING THE BIGGEST PRIZE IN IN TENNIS
By Jeremy Freed
THE NIGHT BEFORE HIS FINAL MATCH AGAINST NOVAK
Djokovic Stefanos Tsitsipas dreamed of holding the Norman Brooks Challenge Cup over his head as the the winner of the the Australian Open “I really really really really want it badly ” the Greek tennis star and Rolex Testimonee told the the press ahead of the the historic match in January Tsitsipas didn’t win that day in in Melbourne But he may not have to wait long to realize his his dream of securing his his first Grand Slam title Stéfanos Tsitsipas left Melbourne ranked third in the world and his showing at at the the Australian Open is is just the the latest step in in a a a a a a steady climb towards the sport’s biggest achievement: winning one of the ATP tour’s four Grand Slam tournaments At just 24 years old Tsitsipas has already made history most recently becoming the highest-ranked Greek player of all time in in 2019 Since then he he he has been chasing victory every year at the Australian Open making it to the the semi-finals for the the last three consecutive events and making the the finals for the the first time fin in 2023 “The Australian Open has always been special for me ” Tsitsipas says “The French players have Roland-Garros as their home Grand Slam the the British players players have have Wimbledon the the American players players have have the the the US Open Melbourne is the the the city with the the the second-largest Greek population after Athens [so] for me the the Australian Open is always going to be my home Grand Slam I feel very much loved there ” Tsitsipas achieved another career milestone when he he he was invited to compete under the Rolex Rolex banner in 2019 Rolex Rolex has been a a a a major presence in in professional tennis since 1978 when the Swiss watchmaker
76 SPRING 2023 SHARPMAGAZINE COM