Archive of posts tagged Stephanos

Stefanos Tsitsipas gets brutally honest on tense relationship with father in past

Posted by on

Apostolos

Stefanos Tsitsipas is the first to admit that his relationship with his father has never been perfect but also adds that it is only now as transparent as possible.

As you probably know, the Greek tennis star had a very messy split with his father in early 2024 August, when he shouted at Apostolos and made him leave the stands of the Montreal Masters. The very next day, they put an end to their partnership. However, what happened in Montreal wasn't the sole instance as it had been rumored for quite some time that there had been a lot of tension in their relationship.

After spending a full year without his coach and lasting only two tournaments in his most recent partnership with Goran Ivanisevic, Tsitsipas decided to return to the factory settings and bring back his father – who guided him in the past to two Grand Slam finals and a career-high ranking of No. 3 in the world.

Tsitsipas: We've had bad moments but the communication has never been better

"It's great having him back in the team. Well, it's one of those things that nothing else can beat. I feel like we've worked together for so many years. We've built so many amazing memories together. Obviously, a father-son relationship can be also complicated from time to time," the 26-year-old said on Tennis Channel. 

"I won't deny that we've had our good moments, we've had our bad moments, miscommunications, not being able to communicate with ease in certain aspects or ways. But you know, we're not perfect. We're trying to figure it out. I've been very open with him, which I've never, I've never allowed myself to be that open and that transparent with him ever."

On Saturday, Tsitsipas clinched his first win since returning Apostolos to his team after overcoming Fabian Marozsan 7-6 (3) 6-2 in his opening Cincinnati Masters match. In the Cincinnati third round, the 25th-seeded Greek will take on Benjamin Bonzi.

Tsitsipas is currently ranked at No. 30 in the world and he has struggled with his consistency and results for the past two years. It remains to be seen if his father can help him return to where he once was was.

Stefanos Tsitsipas writes a message on X during his huge crisis

Posted by on

Apostolos

Stefanos Tsitsipas is certainly going through the worst moment of his career and his crisis has not found any solution for the moment, despite the fact that the Greek ace has made several attempts to return to play his best tennis.

The other players have improved and know his weaknesses, while the former world number 3 has lost all his certainties and has moved far away from the top positions of the ATP rankings. Fans and insiders were very curious when he started collaborating with Goran Ivanisevic, a tennis legend who had worked with 24-time Grand Slam champion Novak Djokovic in the past. Everyone thought that the former Croatian champion was the right person to bring 'Tsitsi' back on the right path, but their partnership ended after just two tournaments (Halle and Wimbledon, in which he achieved disastrous results).

For this reason, the winner of the 2019 ATP Finals has chosen to return to work together with his father Apostolos (from whom he had separated about a year ago). Their first tournament together did not go in the best possible way, considering that the champion from Athens was immediately eliminated at the Toronto Masters 1000.

Tsitsipas' message

Stefanos only has the Cincinnati Masters 1000 available to regain some confidence in view of the US Open – the last Major of the season – in which he has never achieved results worthy of his talent.

Meanwhile, the former Top 5 player – who also ended his love-story with his colleague Paula Badosa – wrote a post on his official X profile reflecting on how tennis is a complicated sport.

“Tennis is beautiful not because it’s graceful, but because it’s brutal. It shows you at your weakest, sweating, failing, breathing hard, asking questions you don’t have answers to. And in all that, you find something worth holding onto. Something that keeps you stepping back to the baseline” – he wrote.

A player with Tsitsipas' talent certainly deserves a better position in the ATP rankings, but he must first resolve his inner conflicts.

Stefanos Tsitsipas slips in Toronto – Goran Ivanisevic out, struggles stay

Posted by on

Apostolo

Stefanos Tsitsipas continues to search for answers as his difficult season rolls on. The Greek ended his brief collaboration with Goran Ivanisevic after two tournaments, returning to a more familiar setup with his father, Apostolo, as head coach.  

However, the change has not provided the desired results, at least not in Toronto. World no. 30 lost in the second round to Christopher O'Connell 6-4, 4-6, 6-2 in two hours and one minutes.

Thus, Stefanos extended a concerning trend: he has not managed to win back-to-back ATP matches since the ATP 500 event in Barcelona in April. For the moment, he remains in the top-30, although that may change quickly. 

The most recent loss at the sixth Masters 1000 event of the season further highlights the ongoing challenges Stefanos is facing. Despite efforts to reset his team and regain momentum, the Greek is playing miles below his best.

Tsitsipas worked with Ivanisevic during two early exits in Halle and Wimbledon. The question lingered about his openness to bring necessary changes and integrate new coaching voices.

While Goran could not stay his coach following his remarks about Stefanos' lack of will and his terrible physical shape, many questioned his decision to reunite with his father, as they had issues before.

Stefanos Tsitsipas, Toronto 2025

Stefanos Tsitsipas, Toronto 2025© Stream screenshot

 

Tsitsipas will seek deeper runs in Cincinnati and New York, although it remains unclear how much can he offer with low confidence and ongoing back issues that threaten to end his career way before the 30th birthday.

Stefanos and Christopher struggled to find the first serve. The Greek stayed behind his rival on the second serve and gave serve away four times, three in the decider. The Aussie denied six of eight break points and sent the 2018 runner-up packing.