N. DJOKOVIC/S. Tsitsipas
6-4, 7-6
THE MODERATOR: What do you think made the difference tonight against Novak, Stefanos?
STEFANOS TSITSIPAS: No comment. I'm just going to concentrate on the next ones and let that pass.
THE MODERATOR: Questions, please.
Q. There's also the aspect of the year-end No. 1 ranking. Did that come into your mind at all, I'm not talking about during the match, but either before or since? Comments on that?
STEFANOS TSITSIPAS: Comments on the No. 1 thing?
I mean, look, if I was to play good tennis this week, win all of my matches, for sure I deserve the spot. It shows good performance, it shows consistency.
But, look, it's not really occupying too much of my mind. I'm kind of excited that I get the opportunity to do something this week that can give me a record, a personal record, and a milestone.
I deeply believe that I can reach that spot one day. I'm not really that much in a rush, to be honest. Of course, it would have been better if it happened this week.
I am more here for the marathon of all. I see the bigger picture, the longer run. I have a lot of opportunities next year to play some good tennis. If it comes, I'll be very happy, my country will be very happy, my family will be happy.
I just have to concentrate on myself, let that thing pass. If it happens, that's great news. But I shouldn't be obsessing too much about it. I can be happy without it, but of course I will be slightly more fulfilled if it happens in my career.
Q. Was the backhand your main problem tonight? What was going on with it, if it was?
STEFANOS TSITSIPAS: No, I wouldn't say so. I kind of found it in the last rally we had before he kind of served those two great serves.
I found a rhythm, I got into the rally a little bit better, a few adjustments that I made. I just wish I could have done this earlier, I don't know. Certain things come at random times in matches, completely random. Could be the very last points of the match.
The court is fast. I can't deny it. It's fast. But I like it. It helps my serve. It helps my first few shots. I wouldn't say it was an issue. The issue was starting that first game lousy and not getting into the match, picking up very late. On this kind of court, you want to be zoned in as early as possible.
I failed to do so in the opening of that match.
Q. You've done well at this tournament in the past. Does it feel like a bit of a caldron because you have the eight leading players in the world, it's almost a case of it's tough to get your breath, you're playing somebody who you could have been playing in a major final?
STEFANOS TSITSIPAS: The feeling is that you can't relax at any moment during that competition. Not that you do in other type of events or tournaments.
Everyone wants it so bad. The opportunity's there. Regardless of your ranking in the top eight, you can benefit from winning this event so much in terms of ranking points. Everyone, they really want to give it a last push here as much as they can, including me, as well.
Look, I mean, you're competing against the best players in the world at this event. I don't think they're in this competition accidentally. They've earned their spot.
Of course, it helps a lot to start the tournament with a win, because then you get two more opportunities instead of starting with a loss and having to pick up later on.
But I'm looking on the bright side of things. I'm happy being here. If the wins come, I'll be obviously happier, much more motivated to keep on going.
But most importantly I'm enjoying my tennis this week. It's my number one priority.
Q. When you have won this tournament, can you think back of anything that you did that year, mindset, approach, because this is a unique tournament?
STEFANOS TSITSIPAS: Yes, there was a certain type of mindset which I'm trying to pick up as much as I can this week. You can't forget these moments. You can't forget how you got there and the process of things during that week.
So I have a lot of great memories built in my head. I very much remember the repetition, the way I was handling moments under pressure, and how smooth I was in that tight situations.
Yeah, just picking up that momentum, that rhythm that your opponent gives you. Sometimes you're off of that rhythm. You can be on a bad day. But ultimately if you're able to pick up any opponent's rhythm every single day...
Every opponent has his own frequency, every opponent has his own rhythm, his own kind of wave that you have to play against. If you're able to adjust to that well, the rest comes.
FastScripts Transcript by ASAP Sports