Stefanos Tsitsipas has playfully called on world number one Novak Djokovic to be ‘less selfish’ as the Greek heart-throb chases a maiden Australian Open title.
Tsitsipas, 25, was a villain of sorts on Wednesday night, beating local hope Jordan Thompson in four gruelling sets on Margaret Court Arena to move into the third round.
He remains on a collision course to face top seed Djokovic, who beat Tsitsipas in the final last year in straight sets.
With the Serbian winning an incredible 10 Australian Open titles, Tsitsipas, the seventh seed, wants to see a different player hoist the trophy on January 28.
‘It’s one of the two scenarios, I think numbers don’t lie, Novak [Djokovic] has been able to win here many times, he’s a very selfish person,’ Tsitsipas cheekily said post match, much to the delight of the crowd.
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():focal(749x0:751x2)/Novak-Djokovic-and-Stefanos-Tsitsipas-30236471448f4abdb7f7aa6d50fe42b6.jpg)
‘If he just manages to wake up one day feeling less selfish, sharing is caring.
‘Whether someone needs to beat Novak, that is not me, or it has to be me, we’ll have to find a way.’
Djokovic advanced to the third round following a hard fought triumph against Aussie Alexei Popyrin on Rod Laver Arena on Wednesday night.
Tsitsipas has put his hand up to send Djokovic home early.
‘There’s no secret….I come with a lot of energy, a lot of determination,’ he told US tennis legend and two-time Australian Open winner Jim Courier courtside.
