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Stefanos Tsitsipas said a clear mind got him ‘to achieve Nirvana’ during his five-set thriller Raphael Nadal Wednesday evening.
The 3-6 2-6 7-6 (4) 6-4 7-5 win in the world, the second Greek superstar is in the last four of the Open for the second time in three years.
“I wasn’t really thinking about a lot of things, nothing was going through my head,” he told reporters in the wee hours of Thursday morning.
“How would I describe myself? Nirvana. Just like, there. Playing, not thinking.”
He said minor adjustments to pace and pace from the third set gave him a chance to chase after an unlikely victory, but it was a carefree attitude that saw him elevate his game even further.
“I just played more flawlessly, I really didn’t care, honestly. I played carefree and that upped the level of tennis I put in there.”
Australian Open: Rafael Nadal against Stefanos Tsitsipas
The 22-year-old said even in straight sets it was no use getting angry with himself.
“It would be weird if I was stressed and pissed off with myself after being in love. It wouldn’t make much sense.
This result means that Nadal’s all-time record in matches where he holds a two-set lead is now 246 wins and three losses.
The most tense moments of Stefanos Tsitsipas’ career
Tsitsipas said he had no idea where the heightened calm under the fire came from, but believed it was a mark of maturity.
“I don’t know why – I woke up today and felt really relaxed and just felt like things were going to be the right way for me – I don’t know how to explain it,” he said. .
“I was very serene during the game, whether it was the first set or the fifth. Maybe the lack of a crowd kept me like that, I’m not even sure. I’m trying to analyze it. myself.”
Stefanos Tsitsipas’ incredible humility after his record-defying comeback
He compared the victory in his fourth round in 2019 against Roger Federer, where he regrouped the Swiss legend in four sets.
“It brings me back some really good emotions and very good feelings. I feel something more, and an extra connection with this short… I had some great moments, moments that lifted me up that I didn’t. ‘ll never forget.
“It is an amazing place to play tennis.”
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