Stefanos Tsitsipas has publicly responded to a scathing critique from his coach, Goran Ivanisevic, following the Greek star’s first-round exit from Wimbledon 2025, stating it is “difficult to have dictators” and people who speak negatively. The exchange highlights tensions within the new coaching relationship, which only began in May 2025, despite no official reports of its termination.
Ivanisevic’s Blunt Assessment After Wimbledon
Goran Ivanisevic, who joined Tsitsipas’s coaching team before the grass-court season, did not mince words after Tsitsipas retired from his Wimbledon first-round match against Valentin Royer on July 1. Tsitsipas was trailing 6-3, 6-2 when he was forced to withdraw due to a lower back injury flare-up.
In a surprising and widely reported interview, Ivanisevic stated he had “never seen a more unprepared player” than Tsitsipas, adding that he was “three times more fit than him” despite his own knee issues and being 53 years old. The former Wimbledon champion criticized Tsitsipas’s physical condition and suggested a lack of effort to improve, despite the desire being present. Ivanisevic’s comments garnered significant attention, with some tennis legends and analysts expressing surprise at the public nature of the critique.
Tsitsipas Reacts to the Criticism
Days after Ivanisevic’s remarks, Stefanos Tsitsipas broke his silence in an interview with SDNA, addressing the controversial comments without directly naming his coach. Tsitsipas emphasized the importance of working with “the right people” who make him feel comfortable and maintain a “friendly atmosphere.”
“It is very difficult to have dictators and people who speak negatively and you don’t feel like they are close to you like family,” Tsitsipas stated, implicitly referring to Ivanisevic’s public assessment. He stressed that comfort in a coaching relationship does not mean a lack of rigorous training, but rather a collaborative approach where “they are the ones who have a common line, who know how hard we work and what we want to achieve.”
Ivanisevic later confirmed that his comments “hit him a little bit” and that Tsitsipas “wasn’t the happiest,” acknowledging that athletes’ egos can be affected by criticism. However, Ivanisevic maintained that he stands by his words, believing Tsitsipas needed to hear the truth about his physical and mental readiness at Wimbledon.
The Context of the Partnership
The coaching partnership between Stefanos Tsitsipas and Goran Ivanisevic began at the end of May 2025, marking a new chapter for Tsitsipas who had largely been coached by his father, Apostolos, for most of his career. Tsitsipas had previously expressed that the partnership with Ivanisevic “should’ve happened years ago” and that he felt he had “wasted time” not having such a figure in his corner. He had described Ivanisevic as a “great human being” and someone who could help him “rebuild [his] mindset as a player.”
Ivanisevic, renowned for his successful stint coaching Novak Djokovic, joined Tsitsipas with the stated goal of helping the Greek elevate his game, especially on grass. Despite the recent public friction, neither party has indicated an end to their professional collaboration. The focus remains on Tsitsipas addressing his persistent back injury, which has plagued him since the 2023 Nitto ATP Finals, and improving his overall preparedness to return to top form.
No Comment! Be the first one.