‘I want to beat Rafael Nadal at Roland Garros’

World no. 6 Stefanos Tsitsipas has some excessive targets forward of 2021, feeling motivated earlier than the brand new season. Amongst different issues, the younger Greek would like to beat Rafael Nadal at Roland Garros, or on clay typically, doing that previously and hoping for extra this spring.

Stefanos was the Roland Garros semi-finalist final October, competing on a excessive degree earlier than the semi-final and saving a match level within the third set towards Novak Djokovic to push the world’s main participant to the bounds.

Ultimately, Djokovic prevailed in 5 units and virtually 4 hours, shedding loads of power and never having a lot left within the tank forward of the title conflict vs. Nadal. Tsitsipas and Nadal performed three matches on clay in 2018 and 2019, with the Spaniard scoring a dominant 6-2, 6-1 triumph in Barcelona in April 2018.

A 12 months later, the teenager toppled the clay king within the Madrid semi-final 6-4, 2-6, 6-3 for his most notable victory on the slowest floor.

Stefanos Tsitsipas desires to beat Rafael Nadal on clay.

Nadal took revenge in Rome, beating the Greek in straight units en path to the trophy.

Nadal is essentially the most dominant participant in historical past at a single Main, successful 100 out of 102 Roland Garros encounters and lifting 13 titles from 16 journeys to Paris. Final 12 months, Rafa stormed over the remainder of the sector at 34 and conquered the occasion with out shedding a set, standing sturdy on each serve and return to depart all of the rivals behind him.

Within the title match, Nadal toppled Djokovic 6-0, 6-2, 7-5, dominating in units one and two and bringing the conflict house within the third’s closing levels to safe the twentieth Main crown. “A wonderful purpose could be to beat Rafa Nadal at Roland Garros, or on clay typically; that might be a pleasant purpose.

I feel everybody would love that, particularly me. He is such a troublesome participant to play towards, very difficult and constant, with unimaginable combating spirit. I take into account myself a fighter, however he is fully subsequent degree, incomparable. That might be a practical purpose and, I hope, not an excessive amount of to ask,” Stefanos Tsitsipas stated.