Patrick Mouratoglou, Serena Williams’ former coach, has criticized Goran Ivanisevic for his harsh assessment of Stefanos Tsitsipas’ recent performance. Ivanisevic, who began coaching Tsitsipas in May, stated that he had “never seen a more unprepared player” after Tsitsipas’ first-round exit from Wimbledon. Mouratoglou views Ivanisevic’s public criticism as damaging to the player-coach relationship, particularly during a time when Tsitsipas is struggling with his form and fitness.
Ivanisevic’s Criticism of Tsitsipas
Following Tsitsipas’ opening round loss at Wimbledon due to a back injury, Ivanisevic gave a blunt assessment of the Greek player’s condition and commitment. He stated that Tsitsipas needs to address issues outside of tennis to return to the top 10, adding that he was shocked by Tsitsipas’ lack of preparation. Ivanisevic also said that Tsitsipas “wants to but he doesn’t do anything” and that he sees no progress.
Mouratoglou’s Rebuttal
Mouratoglou responded to Ivanisevic’s comments by stating that “true coaching is about empathy, not judgment”. He emphasized the importance of supporting players during difficult times and said that publicly criticizing a player undermines trust and creates further damage. Mouratoglou expressed doubt that Tsitsipas and Ivanisevic could continue working effectively together after such comments. He said that Ivanisevic’s behavior “doesn’t reflect the principles of true coaching”.
Mouratoglou stated that he felt Ivanisevic was “ashamed of the results and wants to separate himself from Stefanos, blaming the player alone”. He added, “That’s the opposite of how I understand coaching”.
Tsitsipas’ Recent Struggles
Tsitsipas, a former world number three, has been struggling with his form for quite some time. He has only reached one quarter-final in his last nine Grand Slam tournaments. In 2025, he experienced early exits at the French Open and Wimbledon. He also dropped out of the world’s top 20 for the first time since 2018.
Tsitsipas has acknowledged his struggles, admitting to playing “immaturely at times” and being “too impulsive”. He has been working to regain his form and improve his mentality on the court.
Ivanisevic’s Role as Coach
Tsitsipas appointed Ivanisevic as his coach in May 2025, hoping to revive his career. Ivanisevic, a former Wimbledon champion and coach of Novak Djokovic, is known for his experience and success.
Ivanisevic believes that Tsitsipas has the potential to be a top 10 player but needs to make changes to his mindset and address off-court issues. While acknowledging that he is “not Harry Potter” and cannot fix everything overnight, Ivanisevic remains confident that Tsitsipas can return to his previous level.
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