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24-Year-Old Stefanos Tsitsipas Snubs Novak Djokovic as He Rates GOAT Contenders Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer High in Unique Quality

Published 04/18/2023, 6:10 AM EDT

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As the battle for the GOATs in tennis rages on, tennis players and experts continue to weigh in with their opinions. Stefanos Tsitsipas recently snubbed Novak Djokovic in favor of Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer. He set them as examples of players who manage the daily workload and intensity of the sport perfectly. The 24-year-old commented on what makes Nadal and Federer stand out in this regard.

At the pre-tournament press conference for the Barcelona Open, Tsitsipas was asked about the GOAT debate in tennis. In his response, he snubbed Djokovic and instead named Nadal and Federer as examples of players who manage the daily workload and intensity of the sport perfectly.

Tsitsipas praises Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer while sidelining Novak Djokovic in the GOAT debate

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The Greek admired Nadal and Federer for their consistency and responsibility on and off the court. He also acknowledged their playing style, which has contributed to their success over the years. In Tsitsipas’ pre-tournament press conference, reported by PUNTODEBREAK, at the 2023 Barcelona Open, he snubbed Djokovic. He named Nadal and Federer as two examples of players who managed their daily workload/intensity perfectly.

The Greek shared,” Today he (Novak Djokovic) is much more mature, more aggressive. He is more regular, more responsible in everything he does compare to other seasons. He has some incredible shots. Although I’m sure he’s still capable of becoming much more consistent, the results from him are there.” (Google Translate)

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USA Today via Reuters

He added, ” In my case, I feel that tennis is a complicated sport to manage the daily intensity, Nadal and Federer are two examples of players who have managed it perfectly. There are a lot of big rivals out there right now.”

READ MORE- ‘Such a Little Diva With an Attitude’- Stefanos Tsitsipas Faces the Wrath of the Tennis World After His ‘Entitled’ Behavior at Monte Carlo Masters 2023

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Nadal and Federer’s ability to maintain their high level of play over the years is truly remarkable. Their success is a testament to their rigorous training regimes, disciplined lifestyles, mental toughness, and elegant playing styles. Tsitsipas’ comments serve as a reminder that many factors contribute to greatness in tennis.

The Greek star shared his views about his match with Nadal

Tsitsipas was recently featured on the Red Bull podcast show, Mind Set Win. He shared his journey of cultivating patience over the years. During the show, he reflected on how his on-court conduct contributed to transforming his tennis career. The player’s greatest triumph came at the Australian Open. He defeated the Spanish tennis GOAT after a grueling and mentally challenging match.

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WATCH THIS STORY: ‘Tennis Will Be Just Fine Without the GOATs’ – Despite Roger Federer and Serena Williams’ Absence, Humongous Indian Wells’ Number Paints a Hopeful Picture for the Sport

The Greek described it as an intense mental battle that pushed him to new levels of focus and awareness. He felt that during that match, he was playing from his soul rather than just relying on his skills. How might Stefanos Tsitsipas’ comments about Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer’s unique qualities affect his relationship with Novak Djokovic and other players on the tour? What are some factors besides unique qualities that could contribute to a player being considered the GOAT?

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Written by:

Dr Aditya Raveendran Menon

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Aditya Menon is a Tennis Writer at EssentiallySports, covering several high-profile tournaments and events. With a passion for writing that matches his love for the sport, he has a special interest in covering the activities of tennis legends like Serena Williams and the ‘Big Three’ of men’s tennis. Aditya’s interest in tennis started at a young age when his father introduced him to the sport.
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Edited by:

Tony Thomas