Clue that shows Novak Djokovic is playing mind games with Stefanos Tsitsipas at the Australian Open

An offhand comment from Novak Djokovic in his press conference after crushing Alex de Minaur shows that the Serbian superstar is already mentally toying with Stefanos Tsitsipas.

The 21-time Grand Slam champion seemed to forget that Tsitsipas had ever played in a Grand Slam final, even though the pair had met in the 2021 French Open decider in an epic five-setter.

An offhand comment from Novak Djokovic in his press conference after crushing Alex de Minaur shows that the Serbian superstar is already playing mind games with Stefanos Tsitsipas.

The 21-time Grand Slam champion seemed to forget that Tsitsipas had ever played in a Grand Slam final, despite the pair meeting in the 2021 French Open decider.

Reminded of the exciting encounter by a journalist, Djokovic suddenly came to.

‘That’s how it is. Sorry I’m wrong. I wanted to congratulate him because he is someone who seems to be ready to go for the title, and the way he has been playing, he has gotten closer and closer,” said the Grand Slam champion.

Tennis fans found it very hard to believe that Djokovic had completely forgotten about his French Open battle with the Greek.

Tennis fans found it very hard to believe that Djokovic had completely forgotten his French Open battle with the Greek (Stefanos Tsitsipas and Novak Djokovic pictured after the final)

‘Mind games, Djokovic is one of the best, if not the best at it. Of course he remembers that in the final he was down 2 sets and came back from the dead. He is messing with Stefanos,” wrote one Twitter user.

‘This mind game is peak. He knows that this will dig a hole in Stef’s head if he plays him on Sunday. I love it,” another commented.

Djokovic, known as one of the mentally strongest athletes in the world, was also accused by Australian tennis great Todd Woodbridge of playing mind games with Nick Kyrgios before the tournament started.

Djokovic, known as one of the mentally strongest athletes in the world, was also accused by Australian tennis great Todd Woodbridge of playing mind games with Nick Kyrgios before the tournament began.

When asked who the biggest threats were at the tournament, the Serbian maestro made no mention of the Australian franc, despite Kyrgios leading 2-1 in their head-to-head encounters and coming off his best season yet.

Woodbridge explained that he thinks Djokovic forgot to mention it on purpose and was trying to get into Kyrgios’ head.

The No. 4 seed has generally been well received at the Australian Open, but it was obvious he was eager to annihilate de Minaur in his final outing on Monday night.

Speaking to reporters at his post-match press conference, Djokovic felt he had a score to settle.

The No. 4 seed has generally been well received at the Australian Open, but it was obvious he was eager to annihilate de Minaur in their final match.

“I have no relationship with him,” he said.

“I respect him as a rival, a teammate, as I respect everyone. I have no problem contacting him, congratulating him, etc. But I don’t have any other relationship.

‘I don’t have any communication with him. He (de Miñaur) showed in 2022 what he thinks of me.

De Minaur said 12 months ago that he was tired of the Djokovic vaccination circus, where the tennis icon was sensationally deported from Australia after refusing to disclose whether he received a double injection.

Djokovic will face Andey Rublev on Wednesday at Rod Laver Arena.