Stefanos Tsitsipas beat Roger Federer 6-3, 6-4 in the semi-finals of the ATP Finals this afternoon and then hailed his victim.
It is the second time this season the young Greek ace has beaten Federer following on from his Australian Open triumph.
For Federer, it is his third consecutive semi-final loss at the ATP Finals.
But Tsitsipas thoroughly deserved his place in Sunday’s final as his clinical edge on break points proved the difference in the end.
“Wow, Jesus. I am so proud of myself today,” Tsitsipas said.
“It was a great performance and once again you guys were great. I really enjoyed my time on the court.
“Sometimes with matches like this you wonder how you have the difficulties.
“It was a mental struggle but I was really proud to have saved so many break points today.
“I was trying not to give an easy time to Roger, he was playing good.
“Shout out to him today he did really well this week. He is an inspiration as always. Playing him is the biggest honour I can have.
“Today’s win is probably one of my best matches of the season. These are the moments I always wait for and want to prove the best out of my game.”
Tsitsipas also explained how he never dreamed he would take on Federer on such a huge stage.
“It’s not easy to copy Federer. He is once. This guy does magic on the court so I try to do half of what he does. He can be so good sometimes,” he added.
“We all have different game styles. I am one-handed backhand, he is too. But we all come in different shapes and sizes.
“It is really nice to see one single-handed backhand being alive. There is so much for me to learn from all these players.
“I grew up watching Roger as a kid here at the ATP Finals and Wimbledon. I wished as a kid I could face him and here I am living the dream.
“I remember myself being one of these kids here watching the event. I could never picture myself standing here but it did happen and dreams do come true.”
