Roger Federer sent message following Stefanos Tsitsipas defeat at Australian Open
ROGER FEDERER has been labelled ‘great’ by Pat Cash - but the former Wimbledon champion hailed battling Stefanos Tsitsipas.
Roger Federer hands Serena Williams a tennis racket
The Greek starlet stunned the tennis world this afternoon by dumping Federer out of the Australian Open.
Tsitsipas beat Federer 6-7 (11-13) 7-6 (7-3) 7-5 7-6 (7-5) to reach the quarter-finals.
Cash took to Twitter and praised the 20-year-old for causing a mammoth upset.
“Amazing! #Tsitsipas defeats the great #Federer in a huge upset," he wrote.
Stefanos Tsitsipas stunned tennis legend Roger Federer
“Brilliant performance from @StefTsitsipas.
“Smart tennis, confident attitude, and a great fighting spirit.”
Speaking after the clash, Federer explained that he couldn’t handle the young pretender.
“I lost to a better player who was playing very well tonight,” he said.
“I have massive regrets 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.
“That cost me the game tonight.”
Tsitsipas insisted the win was the best moment of this life.
"The happiest man on earth," he said.
"There's nothing I can describe it to. I am the happiest man on earth.
"From the beginning I went in believing in myself and my abilities.
"Roger is a legend, he showed such a good tennis over the years, I've been analysing him since the age of six, and this is a dream to face him.
"Winning this - I cannot describe it."
Federer fans are now speculating on social media when 20-time Grand Slam winner Federer will hang up his tennis whites.
One said: “Will Roger Federer retire this year?”
Another added: “Why is federer still playing? He is letting his own self and his fans down.
“Retire mate, retire with grace. You’re a living legend @rogerfederer #AusOpen2019 #Federer.”
“Federer must retire at his hometown tournament in Basel,” another added.