Stefanos Tsitsipas Returns to Dubai Final After Five-Year Gap, Honors Train Crash Victims

After a five-year hiatus, Stefanos Tsitsipas has made his way back to the final of the ATP 500 Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships.

The Greek tennis star delivered a commanding performance against Tallon Griekspoor, defeating the Dutch competitor 6-4, 6-4. Tsitsipas dedicated his semifinal victory to the victims of the recent train crash in Thessaly, Greece, which has prompted widespread protests on the tragedy’s second anniversary.

Speaking about his tribute, Tsitsipas expressed, “It’s about honoring those involved in this tragic event. They faced incredibly hard times. It was a significant tragedy in my country.” He emphasized his role as a spokesperson through sport, hoping to set a positive example and inspire unity among the younger generation in Greece. He added, “Sports, and particularly tennis, can bring people together and provide strength.”

On the court, Tsitsipas, a two-time Grand Slam finalist, is set to face Canada’s Felix Auger-Aliassime in the final on Saturday. Griekspoor, ranked 47th in the world, had an impressive run in the tournament, knocking out top seed Daniil Medvedev and defending champion Ugo Humbert. However, Tsitsipas, appearing in strong form, outplayed Griekspoor with seven aces and no break points faced.

Reflecting on his performance, Tsitsipas stated, “I played a well-balanced game and avoided the drama from previous matches. It felt good to lead and play the tennis I know I’m capable of. I need to focus on hunting and being the player that’s hard to beat.”

Tsitsipas anticipates a challenging final against Auger-Aliassime, who holds the best match record this season on the ATP Tour with 15 wins. “Felix has really improved. I’m expecting a different challenge this time,” Tsitsipas noted. “My goal is to play well and be a tough opponent. I’ll give my best effort.”

Recalling his previous Dubai finals, Tsitsipas has fond memories despite losing to icons like Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic. Losing to Federer in 2019 marked Federer’s 100th career ATP title—a moment Tsitsipas cherishes deeply. “Playing Roger for his 100th title was iconic. Though I wish I performed better, being part of such a historic match is a treasured memory,” he admitted.

Source: pagenews.gr