Stefanos Tsitsipas says his grandmother passed away five minutes before French Open final

CNN
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Stefanos Tsitsipas has paid tribute to his grandmother, who he says handed away 5 minutes earlier than he took to the courtroom for the French Open final against Novak Djokovic.

Tsitsipas, enjoying in his first grand slam last, received the primary two units of Sunday’s match earlier than Djokovic mounted a comeback to win 6-7 2-6 6-3 6-2 6-4.

“A smart lady whose religion in life, and willingness to provide and supply can’t be in comparison with some other human being that I’ve ever met,” Tsitsipas wrote of his grandmother on Instagram.

“It’s vital to have extra individuals like her on this world. As a result of individuals like her make you come alive. They make you dream.

“I want to say that whatever the day, circumstance or scenario, that is solely devoted to her, and solely her. Thanks for elevating my father. With out him this wouldn’t have been doable.”

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Tsitsipas stretches to play a forehand in opposition to Djokovic.

In Sunday’s last, Tsitsipas took the primary set in a tie break and broke Djokovic twice within the second set to race right into a 2-0 lead.

However the momentum began to swing and Tsitsipas, who additionally went to 5 units in opposition to Alexander Zverev within the semifinal, referred to as on his coach for therapy on the finish of the third set.

Djokovic asserted his dominance within the last three units and went on to say his nineteenth grand slam title – transferring him one behind the totals of Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer.

It additionally noticed him turn out to be simply the third man in historical past after Rod Laver and Roy Emerson to win every grand slam not less than twice.

Tsitsipas, 22, put his defeat into perspective in his Instagram put up.

“Life isn’t about successful or shedding. It’s about having fun with each single second in life whether or not that’s alone or with others,” he added.

“Residing a significant life with out distress and abjection. Lifting trophies and celebrating wins is one thing, however not every part.”