LIVE: Great not buying Djokovic’s brain fade
Novak Djokovic raised eyebrows at the Australian Open when he seemingly forgot that he had beaten Stefanos Tsitsipas in the 2021 Roland-Garros final.
The Serbian superstar had to be reminded of that fact at a press conference as he wondered aloud whether the Greek hero had previously progressed to a grand slam decider.
Australian tennis great Wally Masur wasn’t buying it.
“Unlike me, who can barely remember yesterday, Novak Djokovic has a mind like a steel trap,” Masur said on Stan Sport’s Grand Slam Daily.
“Jim Courier asked him ‘when was your first grand slam semi-final?’ and quick as a wink he said ‘US Open 2007’ on the spot.
“Like, I think he knows very well. I think he wanted Stefanos to see that interview. I don’t know. Mind games earlier on in the tournament.
“Maybe he could foretell that (meeting in the final).”
Mind games aside, Masur believed Tsitsipas was the only player competing in Melbourne that was currently capable of beating Djokovic.
The pair have met 12 times on the tour, with Djokovic leading their series 10-2 and winning their last nine encounters.
“But he’s (Tsitsipas) certainly been competitive. And you got to remember to Novak’s 35, Stefanos is 24. I believe he’s getting better.
“So you know, results from two or three years ago are not as relevant as what we’re going to see in that final.
“I think he is not without a chance. I think he’s the only guy in the draw that has a chance and the reason is serve and forehand. The forehand has been on song for two weeks. If those two things are working, he’s got a shot.”
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