After five consecutive year-end top-6 seasons, Stefanos Tsitsipas finished the season behind us outside the top-10. The Greek secured another Monte Carlos Masters crown and reached the Roland Garros quarter-final.

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However, his results at other notable tournaments were not good enough to keep him in the top-10 for another year. Tsitsipas will try to bounce back in 2025 and improve his game and ranking positions, aiming to challenge the rivals from the top on the notable scene.

Stefanos recalled the 2023 Australian Open final against Novak Djokovic ahead of the United Cup. The Greek stood a win away from becoming a Major winner and world no. 1, seeking his childhood dreams and expectations.

However, Novak prevailed 6-3, 7-6, 7-6 in just under three hours, lifting his tenth Australian Open trophy and writing history books. Despite a tough loss, Tsitsipas describes this match as his most cherished memory from the tennis court.

Novak could not compete in Melbourne in 2022. He bounced back a year later and secured his 22nd Major title, matching Rafael Nadal’s incredible record. Djokovic and Tsitsipas fought for the ATP throne, and the more experienced Serb passed Carlos Alcaraz and added more no. 1 weeks to his tally.

Tsitsipas gave everything against the strongest opponent, especially in sets two and three. Djokovic claimed 18 points more than his rival, taking pivotal points and emerging at the top. Novak tamed his strokes nicely, hitting more winners than unforced errors.Stefanos attacked but sprayed too many errors, settling for the runner-up prize. They stayed neck and neck in the shortest and most extended rallies. The Serb took charge in the mid-range exchanges, earning the title in that segment.

It was a tight encounter with only three breaks. Djokovic grabbed two and dropped serve once. Novak entered the match with a 9-0 score in the finals in Melbourne, which gave him a boost and confidence. The Serb served well in the opener and kept the pressure on the other side.

Novak closed the first game of the duel with a forehand winner and generated two break chances in the next one. Was it enough for an early break? No, as Stefanos denied them and avoided an early setback. However, Djokovic made another push at 2-1.

The Serb grabbed a break after the Greek’s double fault. He moved in front and wrapped up the opening set with a service winner at 5-3 after 36 minutes of flawless tennis. Tsitsipas served well in the second set and followed the legend’s pace before creating a set point!

Djokovic reached deuces on the return in games five and seven but failed to generate break chances. Novak served to stay in the set at 4-5 and experienced the first issues behind the initial shot. He missed a backhand and offered his rival a set point.

The veteran saved it with a forehand down the line winner, bringing the game home for 5-5 and more excitement. The set went into a tie break, and Stefanos netted a forehand in the fifth point to find himself 4-1 behind.He bounced back with two mini-breaks and locked the result at 4-4. Djokovic moved 5-4 up and welcomed the rival’s backhand mistake in the next one for two set points. The nine-time champion converted the first with a booming serve, opening two sets to love gap after an hour and 46 minutes.

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Novak took a bathroom break and lost his focus a bit. He missed a backhand in the first game of the third set, losing serve for the only time. Stefanos could not build on that, losing serve in the second game and bringing the legend back to the positive side.The servers stood strong in the upcoming games, and the Greek fired a forehand winner in game six for 3-3. The Serb grabbed the seventh game at love with a backhand winner and mirrored that at 4-4, keeping the pressure on the other side.

Tsitsipas served to stay in the match in game ten and landed two direct points at 30-30 to close it and extend his chances. Novak produced another hold at love in the 11th game, and Stefanos responded with an ace in the next one for a tie break.

Djokovic used his vast experience and painted a backhand return winner for 2-0. The Serb claimed the opening five points and forged a massive advantage. The Greek claimed three straight points and reduced the deficit.However, Novak blasted a forehand down the line winner in the ninth point, generating three match points. Tsitsipas saved two on his serve, moving back to 5-6. Novak converted the third with a forced error, celebrating his 22nd Major crown and the tenth in Melbourne.

“The 2023 Australian Open final against Novak Djokovic is my best memory from tennis court. I finished runner-up, but it was a huge career moment. I was a win away from lifting a Major trophy and becoming world no. 1, which was my childhood dream. Both achievements were in front of me. It’s probably the only time I felt everything was under my control. I had to keep my focus on maximum against such a strong opponent, which did not happen. However, the importance of the match mesmerized me and made me emotional after getting so close to what I have been dreaming about my entire life,” Stefanos Tsitsipas said.