‘I am born a champion’, says beaten Grand Slam dreamer Tsitsipas

Stefanos Tsitsipas dreamed of holding the Australian Open trophy aloft after nodding off on the eve of Sunday's final but Novak Djokovic ended up giving the confident Greek a rude awakening.

In a rematch of the 2021 French Open decider, Tsitsipas lost 6-3 7-6(4) 7-6(5) as the Serbian claimed a record-extending 10th Australian Open and 22nd Grand Slam title to match Rafa Nadal.

Though falling short again in his goal of becoming Greece's first Grand Slam champion and world number one, Tsitsipas was philosophical in defeat.

"Of course, I was dreaming about the trophy, lifting that trophy. I even dreamt it last night in my sleep," the 24-year-old told reporters.

"The desire is really there. I really, really want it badly. But just dreaming about it won't make it happen. You got to act.

"Losing finals is not the best feeling in the world, for sure.

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