Tsitsipas Beats Thiem to Win ATP Finals

November 19, 2019 | By Long Island Tennis Magazine Staff
Tsitsipas_CROP
Photo courtesy of USTA/Andrew Ong

 

Stefanos Tsitsipas captured the ATP Finals crown on Sunday, claiming the biggest title of his young career with a 6-7(6), 6-2, 7-6(4) comeback win over Dominic Thiem at The O2 in London.

“It’s been a rollercoaster,” Tsitsipas said. “Holding this trophy right now feels amazing…This tournament has been unbelievable. You made it so, so emotional. I have never received so much support in a stage like that, ever. Honestly, I owe it to all of you, most of it to you. Overall, the atmosphere this week was unbelievable.”

The sixth-seeded Greek used a dominant second set to get himself back into the match against Thiem. He quickly broke to open up the set, and pushed it to a double-break lead to seize momentum. In all, Tsitsipas hit 10 winners to just one unforced error in the frame to force a deciding third set.

In the conclusive tiebreak in the final set, Tsitsipas won the first four points and even after Thiem knotted things at four-all, Tsitsipas would close things out a few points later.

“It was pretty frustrating for me to playing with such nerves for the first time in such a big event,’ said Tsitsipas. “I was a break up, I couldn’t manage to hold it. Things were decided in the tiebreak and I am so relieved by this outstanding performance and fight that I gave out on the court.”

Tsitsipas, who won the ATP’s Next Gen Finals last year, finishes his season with a 49-19 overall record and six titles. He earned $1,302,000 in prize money for his week in London.

“You have been an inspiration,” Tsitsipas said to Thiem during the trophy presentation. “Not just for me, but for many other players around the world I am sure, and for the people that come to watch. It is truly magnificent, this fight we put out today on this court. I think it makes our sport great. Tennis is all about this.”

 


Long Island Tennis Magazine Staff
Centercourt
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