I lost to a better player: Roger Federer after shock defeat to Stefanos Tsitsipas
Melbourne, Jan 20: Roger Federer crashed out of the Australian Open on Sunday after a 7-6(11), 6-7(3), 5-7, 6-7(5) loss to 20-year old Stefanos Tsitsipas of Greece at the Rod Laver Arena. Federer was looking for a hat-trick of Australian Open titles in Melbourne but was stopped by a rising tennis star, who was just 6 weeks old when Federer won his first professional match.
Tsitsipas produced a stunning display of tennis in front of a packed house in the Melbourne Arena and forced Federer into making errors. With his power strokes and exceptional and confident net play, Tsitsipas's gritty play earned him the victory.
Out of the 12 break points Federer had earned, he did not convert a single one and that shows exactly how Tsitsipas fought his way to victory.
"I lost to a better player who was playing very well tonight. Hung in there, gave himself chances at some point, stayed calm. It's not always easy, especially for younger guys. Credit to him for taking care of that," Federer said after the match.
Despite the fact that Tsitsipas was playing some inspired tennis, the Rod Laver Arena crowd was behind their defending champion and cheered each and every point Federer earned.
"I loved the crowd. I think they were fantastic. That there was an occasional excited guy screaming in the rally, that's okay. I'd rather have it that way than the silent guys who don't make a sound. It was good fun. I enjoyed it."
Federer has always been a fan favourite wherever he goes and as he waved his hand to the crowd while leaving the arena, the crowd gave him a standing ovation.
It was a match between the oldest and youngest players left in the men's draw and the old guard fell.
Tsitsipas could not believe that he had toppled Federer, a player he had been idiolising since he was a little child.
"Roger is a legend of our sport, so much of respect for him. He showed such good tennis over the years. I have been idolizing him since the age of 6 and it was just a dream come true being on Rod Laver Arena facing him. Winning at the end, I cannot describe it," Tsitsipas said in the on-court interview after the match.
Roger Federer also confirmed that he is not looking for a long break again and will participate in the French Open this year for the first time since 2015.
For the last two seasons, Federer has been giving the clay court season a complete miss in order to get ready for the grass and hard court season post that.
2019, however, is going to be different. Federer will grace the clay again.
"It's a bit of a desire. I'm in a phase where I want to have fun and I've missed not doing it.
"I don't feel it is necessary to have a big break again," Federer said.
Federer also gave an insight into Tsitsipas's style of play and said a couple of aspects in Tsitsipas's play was similar to his.
"He has a one-handed backhand and I used to have long hair, too," said the world number three.
"Yeah, so maybe a little bit, sure. He has more of a continental grip than players nowadays. That's a bit more my way than, let's say, Rafa's way.
"I see him definitely being high up in the game for a long time. That was a good night for him tonight.
"I have massive regrets, you know, tonight. I might not look the part, but I am. I felt like I have to win the second set.
"I don't care how I do it, but I have to do it. Cost me the game tonight.
"There is always multiple factors that play into a match like this.
"But it definitely didn't go the way I was hoping on the break points. I also didn't break him at the Hopman Cup, so clearly something is wrong how I return him, what I'm trying to do."
.@StefTsitsipas has been idolising Roger Federer since the age of six.
— #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) January 20, 2019
At 20-years-old, he's speechless ?#AusOpen pic.twitter.com/VOe2cfhzP0
What an effort!
— #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) January 20, 2019
Please don't forget us @rogerfederer! ?#AusOpen pic.twitter.com/ttj97ebHDI
Courtesy: www.indiatoday.in
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K’taka cabinet approves cricket matches at M. Chinnaswamy stadium: Reports
Belagavi: The state cabinet under the Chairmanship of Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has reportedly given its nod to permit cricket matches at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru, subject to certain conditions.
The decision is learnt to have been taken after a meeting held at the Suvarna Vidhana Soudha here on Thursday.
Reports indicate that Home Minister Dr G. Parameshwara has been directed to formulate rules along with a referendum to hold a cricket match at the Chinnaswamy Stadium.
The cabinet’s approval comes subject to conditions, considering the report of Justice D’Cunha, which was prepared after the stampede.
The June 4 stampede during the celebrations for RCB’s maiden IPL title killed 11 people, which raised serious questions over the stadium's capability to host large-scale events.
Will RCB be playing at their home ground next year?
Stating that the “state had learned from the tragedy,” Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar on Monday, December 08, dismissed the talks about shifting Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s home games out of the city.
He also said that the Chinnaswamy Stadium is the “pride of Bengaluru and Karnataka” and vowed that IPL fixtures will continue to be played there.
On Wednesday, Shivakumar met the newly elected KSCA president Venkatesh Prasad at the Circuit House in Belagavi and reiterated that cricket matches, including IPL fixtures, will not be shifted out of Bengaluru.
“We have no intention of stopping matches at Chinnaswamy Stadium, but crowd control measures and the Michael D. Cunha committee’s recommendations will be implemented in phases,” he told reporters.
Shivakumar said the government is committed to promoting cricket and supporting fans while safeguarding the state’s reputation, adding that Prasad had sought the government’s cooperation and agreed to work jointly on the issue.
