Stefanos Tsitsipas has hailed Novak Djokovic as the greatest player to ever hold a racquet after losing to him in the 2023 Australian Open final.
Novak Djokovic played another fascinating match to take down Stefanos Tsitsipas in straight sets and the Greek player was very complimentary of Djokovic after the match. Tsitsipas didn't play well, he certainly didn't play well enough to take down a solid Djokovic albeit not a special one. There were chances in this match but Tsitsipas simply didn't take them.
Speaking during the trophy ceremony, he said:
"Novak, I don’t know what to say. It speaks for itself, what you have achieved so far. It is all in the numbers. Our tennis upbringing was very similar. I admire what you have done for our sport, and I think you make me a better player. I have worked my whole life to play these kinds of matches."
He then called him the GOAT:
"Novak is the greatest to have ever held a tennis racquet. I would like to thank you for pushing our sport so far. It deserves someone like you, pushing everyone involved to the max. It is not easy to lose a Grand Slam final, but I am always willing to come back and work harder. I am extremely privileged to get to do this for a living. The Greek fans make me feel at home here."