Tsitsipas Wins Nitto ATP World Tour Finals
It may not have been the Federer vs Djokovic final that many predicted before the start of this week, but it was every bit as gripping. Dominic Thiem had beaten Federer, Djokovic and Zverev on his way to the final while Tsitsipas overcame Medvedev, Zverev and Federer to reach Sunday’s showpiece. Both men came into the match in great form, which showed through in the quality of the affair, with Tsitsipas coming out on top 6-7 6-2 7-6.
This is a huge win for Tsitsipas, who had never won a bigger title than an ATP 250 before today. Any doubts critics may have had over Tsitsipas’s ability to win big matches at big tournaments will have vanished after an accomplished performance, where the 21-year-old Greek held his nerve at key moments when his opponent could not. Tsitsipas finishes the year as World Number 6 and can look back on a highly successful 12 months which have changed his tennis career.
“It’s been a rollercoaster,” said Tsitsipas. “Holding this trophy right now feels amazing… This tournament has been unbelievable guys, you made it so, so emotional. I have never received so much support in a stage like that, ever. Honestly, I owe it all to you, most of it to you. Overall, the atmosphere this week was unbelievable.”
Thiem will of course be disappointed with his failure to win the title in London, but there are plenty of reasons for the Austrian to be positive. He will finish the year at a career high ranking of 4 and can look back on a year which has seen him win 5 titles including his home tournaments in Austria and his 1st Masters 1000 in Indian Wells, reach his second Grand Slam final and claim victories over Federer, Nadal and Djokovic, with Thiem even going undefeated against Federer.
The tennis year is extended further than normal this year, with the Davis Cup finals taking place after the ATP Finals. The tournament has a new format, with the finals being a week-long event rather than a knockout tournament spanning over the year.
Written by Emre Saridogan