Stefanos Tsitsipas, the Greek tennis star, has announced the conclusion of his brief and turbulent coaching partnership with former Wimbledon champion Goran Ivanisevic. The split comes after a mere month and a half of collaboration, marked by public remarks from Ivanisevic concerning Tsitsipas’s physical condition and a disappointing grass-court season that included an injury-forced withdrawal from Wimbledon.
A Short-Lived Alliance with Ivanisevic
The coaching relationship between Stefanos Tsitsipas and Goran Ivanisevic, Novak Djokovic’s former coach, began just before the 2025 grass-court swing, aiming to revitalize Tsitsipas’s form after a series of underwhelming Grand Slam results. Tsitsipas had expressed a belief that he could have benefited from Ivanisevic’s guidance years earlier.
However, the partnership quickly faced challenges. In their first tournament together at the Terra Wortmann Open, Tsitsipas was eliminated in the second round. His Wimbledon campaign ended abruptly when he retired from his first-round match against Valentin Royer due to a back injury.
Public Criticism and Differing Philosophies
The “stormy” nature of the relationship became evident when Ivanisevic publicly criticized Tsitsipas’s physical preparedness, labeling him an “unprepared player” shortly after they began working together. Ivanisevic stated, “Right now, I can’t say he’s in his best physical and tennis shape. I’m not Harry Potter—I can’t just wave a wand and change everything from one day to the next.”
Tsitsipas, currently ranked world No. 29, confirmed the separation on social media, expressing gratitude for Ivanisevic’s efforts while maintaining a diplomatic tone. However, sources close to Tsitsipas indicated that the Greek player found it “hard to work with dictators who speak poorly of you and are neither close to you nor your circle.” Tsitsipas articulated a desire to build a “team that’s like a family, with people I can rely on as friends even after my career ends.”
Tsitsipas’s History of Coaching Changes
This latest coaching change continues a pattern of instability in Stefanos Tsitsipas’s coaching box, which has frequently seen shifts between various high-profile coaches and his long-time primary coach, his father Apostolos Tsitsipas.
The On-Again, Off-Again with Mark Philippoussis
Prior to Ivanisevic, Tsitsipas had a notable on-again, off-again coaching relationship with Australian former Wimbledon finalist Mark Philippoussis. Philippoussis initially joined Tsitsipas’s team in February 2020 and helped him reach the 2021 French Open final. They parted ways in May 2023, with Tsitsipas citing a desire for “one voice” in his coaching setup. However, Philippoussis rejoined the team just two months later in August 2023, only for their partnership to conclude again after a disappointing US Open showing, where Tsitsipas reportedly felt “off-tune” without his father’s consistent presence.
The Enduring Role of Apostolos Tsitsipas
Apostolos Tsitsipas, Stefanos’s father, has been a constant figure in his son’s career since he was 12 years old, often serving as his primary coach. Their dynamic has been publicly volatile at times, with instances of Stefanos expressing frustration during matches. Despite attempts to take breaks from his father’s direct coaching, Stefanos has often returned to his guidance. Following the recent split with Ivanisevic, Tsitsipas expressed regret over how he previously handled ending his coaching relationship with his father and indicated a desire to work with him again. “The way I treated my father by ending our working relationship wasn’t right. We talked about it, and I apologized to him,” Tsitsipas stated, emphasizing his desire to never be separated from his family.
Looking Ahead for Stefanos Tsitsipas
Currently ranked world No. 29, Tsitsipas has faced a challenging season despite winning one title in Dubai. His physical condition, particularly a back injury, remains a concern. As he prepares for upcoming tournaments, including the Canadian Open where he is expected to return, Tsitsipas will now be tasked with finding a stable coaching solution to help him recover his form and climb back up the rankings. He aims to rediscover the passion for tennis he felt as a 15-year-old, focusing on consistent training with the right mindset to return to the elite level.
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