Stefanos Tsitsipas, the Greek tennis star, is embroiled in a public spat with his former fitness coach, Christos Fiotakis. The rift emerged after Fiotakis publicly criticized Tsitsipas’ work ethic, suggesting a lack of commitment to reach the top of the rankings.
“I am not satisfied with his work ethic,” Fiotakis said in an interview with SDNA. “The results and goals that I set myself as a coach have not arrived.”
Tsitsipas, a two-time Grand Slam finalist, strongly refuted these claims. “It was his decision to stop working together and to make those statements,” Tsitsipas told ClayTennis. “It is clear to me that I work hard every day. Accusing me of not being focused on tennis is strange because I live for this sport.”
The 3-time Monte Carlo champion emphasized his dedication to tennis, highlighting that his entire life revolves around the sport. He acknowledged his disappointment with the Roland Garros quarter-final finish but vowed to continue striving for greater achievements. Tsitsipas also hinted at a desire for a coaching team with a deeper understanding of the sport.
The controversy comes on the heels of Tsitsipas’ second-round exit at Wimbledon.