Stefanos Tsitsipas has concluded his coaching collaboration with former Wimbledon champion Goran Ivanisevic after a period of less than two months, the Greek tennis star announced Wednesday. The split follows a challenging stint marked by disappointing results and public criticism from Ivanisevic, signaling another shift in Tsitsipas’s often-volatile coaching landscape.
Ivanisevic’s Short Stint and Public Criticism
The partnership with Goran Ivanisevic, a 2001 Wimbledon winner and former coach to Novak Djokovic, began in May 2025 with the aim of elevating Tsitsipas’s game, particularly on grass courts. However, the collaboration proved to be brief and tumultuous. Tsitsipas, currently ranked 29th, suffered a first-round retirement at Wimbledon in June due to a back injury, trailing against French qualifier Valentin Royer.
Following this setback, Ivanisevic publicly delivered a scathing assessment of Tsitsipas, remarking that he had “never seen a more unprepared player” in his life. This direct criticism underscored tensions within the coaching relationship. Tsitsipas expressed gratitude for Ivanisevic’s efforts, stating on Instagram, “Working with Goran Ivanisevic was brief but an intense experience and a truly valuable chapter in my journey.” He added that he holds “only respect for Goran — not just for what he’s achieved in tennis, but also for who he is as a person,” wishing him the best for the future.
A History of Coaching Changes and the “One Voice” Dilemma
The separation from Ivanisevic is the latest in a series of coaching adjustments for Stefanos Tsitsipas, whose career has been largely intertwined with the guidance of his father, Apostolos Tsitsipas. For much of his professional life, Tsitsipas has primarily been coached by his father, a constant presence despite various shifts in his extended coaching team.
The Mark Philippoussis Chapters
One of the most notable dynamics has been the on-again, off-again relationship with Australian tennis great Mark Philippoussis, a former US Open and Wimbledon finalist. Philippoussis initially joined Tsitsipas’s team and helped guide him to the Australian Open final in January 2023. However, they first parted ways before the 2023 French Open. Tsitsipas cited the difficulty of having “two coaches share opinions,” expressing a need for “one coach that can provide all the information.” Philippoussis confirmed the split, noting that Stefanos “wanted one voice” and struggled to process information from both his father Apostolos and Philippoussis.
Despite this initial separation, Philippoussis rejoined Tsitsipas’s team months later in August 2023, with reports suggesting he would take a more leading role while Apostolos would reduce his full-time travel. This second stint was also short-lived. Following a disappointing second-round exit at the 2023 US Open, Tsitsipas reportedly “dumped” Philippoussis again. Tsitsipas later explained that this second partnership “didn’t quite click,” and that “not having my father around felt like I was losing a crucial part of my identity as a player.” He found it challenging to adapt to Philippoussis’s new methods, despite his admiration for him.
The Enduring Role of Apostolos Tsitsipas
The recurring theme throughout Tsitsipas’s coaching changes is the profound influence of his father. Tsitsipas has consistently emphasized his father’s indispensable role, stating that Apostolos “cannot be excluded” from his team and that he has “no intention of ever changing my dad or pushing him away.” Even when his father was not physically present, Tsitsipas noted he was “always there by my side digitally.”
In August 2024, Tsitsipas briefly announced he was giving his father “some time off,” citing that Apostolos hadn’t had time off since Tsitsipas was 12. During this period, Greece’s Davis Cup captain, Dimitris Chatzinikolaou, temporarily stepped in. However, Tsitsipas soon reaffirmed his father’s central position, acknowledging that the lack of his father’s presence made him feel like he was “losing part of my identity as a player.”
Impact on Performance and Future Outlook
The frequent coaching changes reflect Stefanos Tsitsipas’s ongoing search for the optimal support structure to help him achieve his Grand Slam ambitions. While he has reached two major finals – the 2021 French Open and 2023 Australian Open – consistency at the highest level has sometimes eluded him. His current ranking of 29th and a 19-13 win-loss record in 2025 underscore a challenging period.
With the latest split from Ivanisevic, Tsitsipas is once again at a pivotal moment. His future coaching arrangements remain a key factor in how he navigates the remainder of the 2025 season and beyond, as he continues to seek the formula that will allow him to consistently contend for major titles.
No Comment! Be the first one.