After getting brutally defeated in a five-set match by the world no. 128 Dominic Stricker, Stefanos Tsitsipas was sent tumbling out of the US Open in the second round itself. It looks like his words came back to haunt him as he had previously stated, winning a grand slam is not that important for him as much as getting the top rank.
However, the Greek World No. 7 stayed back and signed autographs for kids and people in the stands waiting for him. He interacted with fans, signed their jumbo tennis balls, and got pictures clicked with them. When asked for the reason behind it, Stefanos gave a wholesome answer to the press.
Stefanos Tsitsipas on why he stayed to sign autographs after losing to Stricker at US Open:
“It’s not an easy thing to stay there. I saw the little kids faces. It touched my heart bc I was in their position once upon a time. I really looked up to players like me in this… pic.twitter.com/63tJiU3C3d
— The Tennis Letter (@TheTennisLetter) August 30, 2023
Tsitsipas recalled his childhood and admitted to knowing exactly how the kids must have felt waiting for an autograph. As he revealed he has been in the same position before. Stefanos confessed that the first thing he wanted to do was leave the arena. But he stayed back for the fans and wished he made them happy.
The world no. 7 believes he is a player people look up to. However, he added that it might not be as much as Rafa, Federer, and Djokovic. “Probably not as much as Federer, Rafa, or Djokovic, but I’m somewhere there in the substitutes,” he said.
Even after a heartbreaking loss, Tsitsipas showed immaculate sportsmanship. It is certain that Stefanos is not just somewhere in the ‘substitutes,’ as he is the only Greek player, alongside Maria Sakkari to be ranked as high as world no. 3. Instead he is actually right up there acting as an inspiration for the young generation.
Dominic Stricker ecstatic after defeating Stefanos Tsitsipas
On Wednesday at the US Open, Swiss Dominic Stricker won his first Top 10 match by defeating World Number 7 Stefanos Tsitsipas. He defeated the Greek 7-5, 6-7(2), 6-7(5), 7-6(6), 6-3 to advance to the third round of a major for the first time.
This is Stricker’s debut US Open and he is filled with confidence after defeating the world no. 7. This was also his maiden win against a top 10 player.
Dominic Stricker falls to the floor after beating Stefanos Tsitsipas at US Open.
Stef served for the match.
1st top 10 win of his life.
1st Grand Slam 3rd round.
You won’t find a happier person in New York than this young man. ❤️
— The Tennis Letter (@TheTennisLetter) August 30, 2023
To secure his second five-set victory at a major, the player displayed determination and outstanding skill. The match lasted for an epic four-hour, 10-minute marathon. In humid conditions, the lefty battled from 3-5 in the fourth set when he was about to lose by two points three different times in the set.
Stricker was ecstatic about his win, and rightly so, as he admitted he felt good from the first set itself. He revealed he was ‘super happy.’ He also added, “The confidence is high. I believe a lot in me, you know.”
Dominic Stricker on his belief after beating Stefanos Tsitsipas at US Open:
“Right now it’s very high. I don’t know how to describe this day. I’m just happy. I believed even when I stepped on court.. it’s just great. The confidence is high. I believe a lot in me, you know” 🥹 pic.twitter.com/ukekqVUfbO
— The Tennis Letter (@TheTennisLetter) August 30, 2023
Stricker concluded by saying he would enjoy the rest of the day and then rest and train to recover for the next round. Stricker definitely did enjoy it, as he was seen singing along to a song during the match. Dominic will now face Bonzi for the first time in the third round. Whoever wins will go to their maiden fourth round at a grand slam.