Stefanos Tsitsipas always felt he had the “ego” to be challenging for grand slams and the world number one ranking after booking his spot in the Australian Open final.
The Greek defeated Karen Khachanov 7-6 (7-2) 6-4 6-7 (6-8) 6-3 on Rod Laver Arena and will now face either nine-time Melbourne champion Novak Djokovic or Tommy Paul in Sunday’s showpiece.
It marks Tsitsipas’ second run to a slam final after he was beaten by Djokovic at the French Open in 2021, a match in which he surrendered a two-set lead.
Victory would not only see him win a maiden slam but take ownership of the men’s world number one ranking, two ambitions Tsitsipas always believed he could achieve.
“I remember watching it on TV saying to myself, ‘I want to be there one day myself. I want to recreate that feeling for me’,” he said.
“I knew that’s a very long journey to get there. There are certain steps you have to take to give yourself the chance to be competing for something like this.
“But I very much believed it. First of all, it’s your ego that speaks. You either have it or not. As a kid, I was very confident.
“Thank God I was good in my country. Starting from that, I knew if I’m able to get out of my country and compete in other countries, European leagues, European tours, I proved myself over and over again that I’m actually good.
“I did finish as a junior number one. Now I want to do it in the men’s side, in the men’s professional tennis.”
Asked what had changed since losing to Djokovic in the final at Roland Garros almost two years ago, Tsitsipas said: “I’m playing great tennis. I’m enjoying myself. I just see no downside or negativity in what I’m trying to do out there. Even if it doesn’t work, I’m very optimistic and positive about any outcome, any opponent that I have to face.
“This is something that has been sort of lacking in my game. I genuinely believe in what I’m able to produce. That is more than enough. I go about this way. I strive for it every single day. It might not go the way I want it to, but I put 110 per cent out there.”
Khachanov has enjoyed back-to-back slam semi-finals having also made the last four at last year’s US Open.
The 26-year-old retains belief that he can beyond the semis at future slams.
“Maybe in some situations I could do better. It’s always like this. Tennis is always, like any other sport, there is no draw unfortunately in our sport. One guy has to win and to go through,” he said.
“I would say I did it second time in a row, consecutive semi-finals. I would definitely go with my head high. Again, rest a couple of days, think with my team for next schedule, again to have a team meeting to discuss those particular situations and moments on what we need to work.
“Hopefully I keep believing that I can pass this step next time, if I am in this situation, hopefully. That’s it.”