“My idol today became my rival,” Stefanos Tsitsipas said with a sense of wonder after his victory over Roger Federer, arguably the standout match of Australian Open 2019.
It was hailed as a watershed moment, proclaimed as “the changing of the guard,” by John McEnroe. And for a certain crop of spectators, it was the realisation of a dream they all hold dear.
Each of us watches sport through a particular prism, whether we realise it or not. Talk about the same tennis match with a dancer and a psychologist, for example, and you are likely to get two very different takes.
In the press box, the storyline is king. But for coaches and players – particularly those in the formative years of their careers – every match is a lesson. And when it comes to which players the current crop of top juniors like to learn from, one name comes up more than any other.
“Federer,” said Switzerland’s Lulu Sun, without a moment’s hesitation. “He is like, woah. He plays unbelievable tennis. You can learn a lot from him.”
Sun, the No.7 seed in the girls’ draw at Melbourne Park this week, also follows fellow left-handers Petra Kvitova and Rafael Nadal, whose work ethic is an inspiration. “And I watch golf – my brother plays – so I like to watch Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy. It’s fun to see other sports, you get to see them deal with their own tough situations.”
But when asked where she wants to improve her game this season, the 17-year-old said: “I want to get myself into the net more – you know, like Federer. Everybody’s learning from him.”
Otto Virtanen has left his first footprint in the path travelled by the 20-time Grand Slam champion, claiming the prestigious Orange Bowl 2018 title some 20 years after his idol.
“I’ve always liked his game style, and everything about him,” said the broad-shouldered 17-year-old Finn. “I’ve always looked up to his game – it looks so easy when you’re watching it, but when he’s hitting all those shots everything is clean, so clean and easy-looking, perfect.
“Novak too,” Virtanen added, having practiced with the world No.1 in Abu Dhabi last month, and again at Melbourne Park. “He’s such a nice guy outside of the court, and he’s doing so many good things for his fans. I like his character.”
Zane Khan is another true-blue Djokovic fan. “Since I was younger, I’ve always liked him the best,” said the American 16-year-old, whose twin brother Faris favours Fabio Fognini.
“The turnaround last year was amazing. I was so happy – I knew he was going to come back, and when he made the final at Queen’s, I said, ‘That’s it – he’s back.’ My brother didn’t believe me, but he ended up winning Wimbledon and then dominating.
“I like his game style, his attitude, the way he plays, the way he fights – everything about him.”
Of course, other names pop up – if other names are even necessary. For Australia’s Annerly Poulos, “it’s always been Serena. I love her game, and I love her as a person off-court as well, so I try to learn from that too.
“As for the men, it’s easily Federer – and it’s the same thing, as a person and as a player. I try to watch them a lot, learn from then. I watch a lot of Raonic as well – he’s a different kind of player, but his game also works, which is good to see.”
Indonesian world No.45 Priska Madelyn Nugroho is one of the few players at Melbourne Park who would look up to Simona Halep physically as well as figuratively. “I like her attitude on and off court,” said the 15-year-old, who at 163cm is five centimetres shorter than the world No.1. “Our height is not so different, so it gives me hope!”
Latvia’s Kamilla Bartone, who grew up coached by Jelena Ostapenko’s mother, takes a different view: “I never had an idol in my life,” said the 16-year-old. “I’ve always wanted to be myself, so I’ll keep going with that.”
Denmark’s Clara Tauson, the top seed in the girls’ singles draw, admits she has split loyalties when it comes to who she looks up to: “Of course, we have Caroline [Wozniacki], but it’s always been Roger. I love him – everyone loves Roger.
“I love his game and how he acts on court,” she explains. “He’s always respectful around everybody, and there’s not a lot of outbursts – and when there is, it’s classy! He’s always calm, and when he loses, he says it doesn’t matter now, it’s over.”
Federer’s bid for a seventh Australian Open title was ended by one of those who would count among his most ardent fans, 20-year-old Tsitsipas. In the moments after the momentous fourth-round victory, the Greek paid tribute to the 37-year-old: “I’ve been idolising him since the age of six, and it was a dream come true for me just being on Rod Laver Arena facing him. Winning at the end, I cannot describe it.”
Only the oldest players in the junior draws were even born when Federer inflicted a similar defeat on his own idol, Pete Sampras, at Wimbledon in 2001. The echoes are uncanny: like Tsitspias on Sunday night, Federer was then the 20-year-old world No.15 with one title to his name when he ousted the American in the last 16. “I used to have long hair too,” the Swiss later joked in press.
“I was not really surprised,” Virtanen said of Federer’s fourth-round loss. “I know Tsitsipas is good, and he has ability to beat anyone in the draw. Anything can happen in tennis.
“One day I hope I will be in his place. He’s still so young – 20 years old – and he’s got there quickly. That shows that it’s possible to get there.”
But whatever the future hold for Tsitsipas, he still has some way to go to dislodge Federer as the player to aspire to among the coming generation of tennis greats. His legacy extends to Tsitsipas’s generation, and the generation after that.
As Tauson put it: “Everyone wants to be Roger, of course.”