A contender versus a legend: The intimidating task facing Stefanos Tsitsipas

On Sunday about 7.30pm, Stefanos Tsitsipas will start the most intimidating walk in tennis from underneath Rod Laver Arena.

Bidding to become the first Greek to win a grand slam title, he will pass through the champions’ walk featuring the image and name of his rival Novak Djokovic.

Stefanos Tsitsipas says he is ready for the challenge of again taking on Novak Djokovic in a grand slam final.Credit: Getty Images

Djokovic appears nine times. Novak Djokovic. Novak Djokovic. Novak Djokovic. And so on. Forget John Malkovich! This is Novak Djokovic’s kingdom.

It is a daunting 50 metres for any rival. And that is before stepping onto the court against a man on a 27-match winning streak at the Australian Open.

The 35-year-old is searching for the perfect 10 in Australian Open finals on Sunday night.

The legend is also seeking a 10th straight triumph over Tsitsipas, which includes a heroic comeback in the 2021 Roland Garros final, and has won 10 of their 12 outings.

So much is on the line in what will be a historic Australian Open final. Djokovic can draw level with Rafael Nadal at the top of the all-time major list in men’s tennis with 22 titles.

Novak Djokovic is chasing his 10th Australian Open crown and 22nd grand slam title.Credit: AP

Tsitsipas could be on his way to greatness with a first. The victor will also replace Carlos Alcaraz as the world’s top-ranked man. The final has the potential to be an epic.

But first Tsitsipas has to brave that walk: 2008. 2011 through to 2013. The double in 2015 and 2016. Then another hat-trick from 2019 through to 2021. Djokovic. On repeat. It is a challenge, but also a great opportunity.

“For now, all I have to say is this is a very humbling opportunity for me. Being in the finals here means a lot,” Tsitsipas said.

“Having started here as one of my first junior grand slams, and being now in the finals of the men’s event, is as important as my very first steps that I took on the tennis court.”

Stefanos Tsitsipas downed Karen Khachanov in the semi-finals.Credit: Eddie Jim

It has scarcely been the smoothest of Australian Opens for Djokovic. He had to revisit the debacle of last year when he was deported on the eve of the tournament.

Then there was a hamstring issue he has handled remarkably well. On Wednesday night further controversy flared when his father Srdjan Djokovic posed for photographs with Russian fans.

But there have been few problems on the court, with Djokovic dominant throughout the second week of the tournament.

“I think that the experience of being in this particular situation and circumstances before helps,” the Serbian said. “I think also the fact that I never lost the Australian Open finals definitely serves as a great confidence booster prior to Sunday.”

The mind games began before both men progressed to the final with wins over Karen Khachanov and Tommy Paul respectively.

Tsitsipas said after his defeat of Khachanov that he had forgotten their Roland Garros final in 2021 when, after starting brilliantly, he was reeled in by Djokovic in five sets.

This was in response to Djokovic feigning ignorance of what is one of his finest triumphs given the deficit and the surface. But there was a clear point to Djokovic’s failure of memory.

Just as Australian cricketer Glenn McGrath would note the batter he wanted to torment each summer, Djokovic identified Tsitsipas as his greatest threat early on in the Australian Open.

It is said that success in the summer down under usually goes to the player who has worked the hardest in the off-season to prepare for the new year. Andre Agassi was a master of this.

Stefanos Tsitsipas and Mark Philippoussis during practice on Saturday ahead of Sunday’s final.Credit: AP

Tsitsipas ended last season tetchily when failing to progress through a group that included Djokovic at the ATP Tour Finals in Turin.

After making the semi-finals of the Australian Open last year, where he was beaten by Daniil Medvedev, his form at major level tailed off in alarming fashion.

A controversial loss to Nick Kyrgios in a fiery third-round encounter at Wimbledon drew headlines, but the true shocker was a first-round loss to qualifier Daniel Galan at the US Open.

The sting sparked a strong pre-season. With coach Mark Philippoussis proving a calming influence, Tsitsipas has demonstrated a clarity of thought on court in a strong start to 2023.

“I’m playing great tennis. I’m enjoying myself. I just see no downside or negativity in what I’m trying to do out there,” he said.

“Even if it doesn’t work, I’m very optimistic and positive about any outcome, any opponent that I have to face. This is something that has been sort of lacking in my game. I genuinely believe in what I’m able to produce.”

The 24-year-old is unbeaten this year after winning all four of his United Cup singles rubbers for Greece, which included tough victories over Matteo Berrettini, Grigor Dimitrov and Borna Coric. During this Australian Open, he rallied strongly when challenged by Jannik Sinner. Djokovic has noticed.

“I’m going to play against Tsitsipas, who is in great shape, great form [and] has been playing some of his best tennis. I’m sure that he’s going to be very motivated to win his first grand slam title,” Djokovic said.

After his triumph over Khachanov, Tsitsipas posted on social media a photograph of himself flying into a forehand with the caption: From the asphalt courts of Vouliagmeni to the hallowed grounds of Rod Laver Arena.

One of his earliest tennis memories is of Cypriot Marcos Baghdatis reaching the 2006 Australian Open final. It was a ground-breaking moment that inspired the youthful Tsitsipas.

Given his Greek heritage, Pete Sampras was a family favourite. But Roger Federer was the player who inspired his flair, from the one-handed backhand flourishes to his desire to attack the net where possible.

“My aggressive game style is definitely thanks to Roger,” he said in the recently released book The Roger Federer Effect.

“But I tried to develop my own technique and tried to develop my own skills on the court. So, I went about my own thing.”

It was an upset defeat over the Swiss great in 2019 at Melbourne Park that identified him as a grand slam contender.

Now the chance has arrived to dethrone the King of Melbourne Park on the same court.

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