Stefanos Tsitsipas wrote a heartfelt message to his grandmother who passed away minutes before his epic five-set showdown against Novak Djokovic in the final of French Open.
“Life isn’t about winning or losing. It’s about enjoying every single moment in life whether that’s alone or with others,” Tsitsipas wrote in an Instagram post.
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“5 minutes before entering the court my very beloved grandmother lost her battle with life. A wise woman whose faith in life, and willingness to give and provide can’t be compared to any other human being that I’ve ever met.
“I would like to say that regardless of the day, circumstance or situation, this is entirely dedicated to her, and only her. Thank you for for raising my father. Without him this wouldn’t have been possible.”
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The 22-year-old Greek, playing his first major final, stepped up to the plate on Sunday and took the first two sets off Djokovic. But the wily Serb with tireless legs fought back to a 6-7, 2-6, 6-3, 6-2, 6-4 win in over four hours to win his second French Open title.
“I believe [that] I’m able to play for titles like this,” Tsitsipas said in the post-match press conference.
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“Despite my loss today, I have faith in my game. I very much believe I can get to that point very soon… But I think with the same attitude. I see no reason for me not to be holding that trophy one day.”
Tsitsipas now has a 39-9 match record on the season, which includes two titles at the Monte-Carlo Masters and the Open Parc Auvergne-Rhone-Alpes Lyon.
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“I don’t think I have regrets,” said Tsitsipas. “[I] could have easily cried, but I see no reason for me crying because I tried everything. I couldn’t come up with anything better.”
Tsitspas withdrew from the Halle ATP event, which started on Monday, June 14.
