In an Instagram post, Stefanos Tsitsipas revealed his grandmother passed away mere minutes before the French Open 2021 final.
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The 2021 French Open will be remembered for Novak Djokovic creating history in multiple ways. However, the performance was also a coming of age for Stefanos Tsitsipas. The Greek youngster managed to win the first two sets but lost the next three. But there is little shame in losing to Djokovic and Tsitsipas proved he can hang with the best of them.
Now, however, a new fact has come to light that makes Tsitsipas’ performance all the more amazing. In an Instagram post, Tsitsipas revealed his grandmother passed away mere minutes before the final.
“Life isn’t about winning or losing. It’s about enjoying every single moment in life whether that’s alone or with others. Living a meaningful life without misery and abjection,” he wrote.
“Lifting trophies and celebrating wins is something, but not everything. 5 minutes before entering the court my very beloved grandmother lost her battle with life.”
Stefanos Tsitsipas dedicated his performance in the French Open final to her, calling her a ‘wise woman’ and thanking her for raising his father.
“A wise woman whose faith in life, and willingness to give and provide can’t be compared to any other human being that I have ever met.
“It’s important to have more people like her in this world. Because people like her make you come alive. They make you dream.
“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.”
It began well for Tsitsipas as he won the first two sets. The first went to a tie-break and the second was sealed by the Greek in dominant fashion.
Djokovic, however, completed a stunning turnaround in the Roland Garros final on Sunday. He fought back from a two-set deficit to take down Tsitsipas 6-7, 2-6, 6-3, 6-2, 6-4.
It was his second French Open title and an incredible 19th Grand Slam triumph. With the win, Djokovic achieved a historic milestone, becoming the first male player in the Open Era and only the third man in history to win the career Grand Slam twice.
The only men to have won each Grand Slam on two or more occasions are Roy Emerson and Rod Laver. The Serbian has also won nine Australian Open, five Wimbledon, and three US Open titles.
Djokovic, who earlier won the Roland Garros title in 2016, added a 19th Grand Slam to his ever-growing trophy cabinet.
With the win, he closed the gap on 20-time champions Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal for the most major men’s singles titles.
This is also his second Grand Slam of the season after beginning the year by lifting his ninth Australian Open trophy.
With his second Grand Slam title in a row, he remains firmly on track for a calendar Grand Slam. At 34 years, he still continues to dominate the tennis world, with his never-say-die attitude.
Djokovic’s path to French Open triumph was not simple, as he had to come back from two sets to love in the fourth round against Lorenzo Musetti.
Then he faced perhaps the toughest test of all, defeating 13-time champion Rafael Nadal in an epic four-set battle for a spot in the final.
Having trailed 0-5 in the opening set, the Serbian bounced back impressively to win the match 3-6, 6-3, 7-6, 6-2 in four hours and 11 minutes
