Roger Federer ousted by the real future of tennis, Stefanos Tsitsipas

Greek sensation Stefanos Tsitsipas’ win over defending champion Roger Federer ensures that there will be a new Australian Open winner this year.

Roger Federer looked secure coming into Melbourne to defend his title here, fresh off another win at the Hopman Cup, and looking anything but his 37 year-old age. He dismissed the 21 year-old Taylor Fritz in the third round and hadn’t dropped a set all week.

But all that ended as soon as the Greek talent, Stefanos Tsitsipas, faced the greatest legend in the game. The parallels between Tsitsipas and Federer are tangible, reminiscent of the time that the 20-time grand slam champion ousted Pete Sampras in the fourth round of Wimbledon in 2001. In fact, both players were ranked the same, No. 15 in the world, like Tsitsipas is today, although Fed was a year younger (19).

Here’s another piece of trivia for you: both Tsitsipas and Sampras share the same birthday. Surely, the tennis gods shined on the day August 12. Both men also share Greek heritage. Federer and Rod Laver were all born in the month of August, aptly named in honor of Augustus Caesar. In tennis, history really does seem to repeat itself, and will continue to, according to Tennis Troll:

The similarities between Fed and Tsitsipas were on display during their tight match, with the Greek sensation matching Federer in shot-making, net play, flexible one-handed backhands, winning forehands, and big serves. Federer hit breathtaking winners, but Tsitsipas was just a bit more aggressive, with some of the good luck going his way a bit more, and just a tad more confident. Tsitsipas just had nothing to lose, but still, the match was extremely close. It was high quality tennis throughout, with a loud Greek contingent cheering on their hero alongside Federer’s customary majority.

John McEnroe said it was a “changing of the guard” afterwards, but Federer rightfully dismissed that as something that’s been said about the 37 year-old for 10 years now, starting with the storied Wimbledon 2008 loss to Nadal in what is probably considered the best grand slam match of all time.

Ranked No. 3 in the world, Federer is older than Sampras when he beat the American in 2001, who retired at age 32.

However, lumping Federer together with “Pistol Pete” does a disservice to the Swiss Maestro’s legend, who at age 37 is still playing in the prime of his career and can best most of the field consistently in any tournament he enters. He holds 20 grand slams and is rightfully considered the greatest of all time (GOAT). The younger generation will continue to face him as a foible for the biggest prizes in the sport. Put it this way, Fed’s not going anywhere and it is always a mistake to underestimate him. Federer plays by his own rules.

The Swiss will likely drop to No. 6 after the tournament. He will go forward still looking for ATP title No. 100. He has also announced that he will participate in the clay season, including the French Open.

“I’m in a phase where I want to have fun,” Federer said, according to Eurosport. “It’s a bit of a desire. I don’t feel it is necessary to have a big break again.”

Federer holds one Roland Garros trophy, from 2009. The change of pace will likely be a welcome modification to the Swiss player’s schedule, where he has avoided playing the surface the last two years due to injury concerns.

Stefanos Tsitsipas has the game and conviction to move forward and build on his breakthrough fourth round victory. At age 20, he has more talent and an aggressive all-around game plan that puts him above the rest of the NextGen players who have failed to get past the Big Three slam gates.

Tsitsipas and Alexander Zverev—still in the draw, aged 21—are the future of tennis and look to see them as rivals vying for titles as the legends in the game close out their careers.