Quote of the Day: Tsitsipas and Djokovic’s selective amnesia ahead of Grand Slam rematch

WATCH: Stefanos Tsitsipas sits down with the media after his Australian Open semifinal win.

Stefanos Tsitsipas charged past Karen Khachanov in four sets on Friday, booking a place in his second Grand Slam final—this time at his “home” Australian Open.

He will meet nine-time champion Novak Djokovic in the final, looking to turn the tables on his 2-10 win-loss record and lift his maiden trophy at a major.

Luckily for Tsitsipas, it won’t be the first time he’s faced Djokovic in a major final—although both players seem to be having a hard time recalling the first one during press conferences.

When asked about his Grand Slam experience in relation to the rest of the field, the 21-time champion slipped up a bit when running through the Greek player’s resume:

“I know Tsitsipas, for example, probably the most experienced guy out of all the quarterfinalists,” Djokovic told press on Monday. “He has played already the final stages of a Grand Slam quite a few times. I think he has never played in a final? Am I wrong?”

Of course, we’re talking about the 2021 Roland Garros final. Tsitsipas famously held a two-set lead against Djokovic, before he made a monumental comeback to win in five—winning his 19th major and completing a rare double Career Grand Slam along the way.

“That's right! That's right. Sorry, my bad,” Djokovic recovered. “What I wanted to say is I wanted to compliment him because he's someone that looks ready to go for the title, and the way he has been playing, he's been coming closer and closer.”

The lapse in memory seemed to hit Tsitsipas too, because when asked to respond to Djokovic’s comment he didn’t have much to say about the match either:

Q. Novak the other day didn't remember about the final you played in Roland Garros. Do you see that as a genuine lapse, or maybe he's trying to get into your mind?

STEFANOS TSITSIPAS: I don't remember either.

Q. The final?

STEFANOS TSITSIPAS: No, don't remember.

Putting aside the Greek’s hilarious deadpan delivery, that’s probably not a match that Tsitsipas wants to be lingering on as he prepares to face Djokovic on the Serbian’s happiest hunting ground.

Not to mention, the winner of the Australian Open will also walk away with the ATP Tour’s world No. 1 ranking, currently held by Carlos Alcaraz.

“I'm playing great tennis. I'm enjoying myself. I just see no downside or negativity in what I'm trying to do out there,” Tsitsipas said. “Even if it doesn't work, I'm very optimistic and positive about any outcome, any opponent that I have to face.

“I genuinely believe in what I'm able to produce… It might not go the way I want it to, but I put 110% out there.”