Tsitsipas Admits Splitting With Father-Coach Was “Difficult” But Necessary

Stefanos Tsitsipas

Stefanos Tsitsipas admits splitting with his father and long-time coach, Apostolos, was a “difficult” but necessary decision to preserve their father-son relationship. The split, announced in August after a loss at the Canadian Open, followed a period of declining performance for the former world No. 3.

Apostolos had been instrumental in Tsitsipas’s career, guiding him to a career-high ranking of No. 3, two Grand Slam finals, an ATP Finals title, and three Monte Carlo Masters titles. However, the 26-year-old acknowledged the strain their professional partnership placed on their personal connection.

“My father has been the heart of my life, both in tennis and beyond,” Tsitsipas stated. “He’s a major reason for my success, but I need to explore my own path and continue learning independently.” He explained that maintaining a normal father-son dynamic amidst the pressures of professional tennis had become challenging, leading him to seek a new coaching arrangement. “This decision was a way to save our relationship,” Tsitsipas emphasized.

Since the split, Tsitsipas has worked with Greece’s Davis Cup captain, Dimitris Hatzinikolaou. His plans for a permanent coach for the 2025 season remain unclear. The world No. 12 will be looking to rebound after a disappointing 2024 season which saw him finish outside the top 10 for the first time since 2018 and miss the ATP Finals, ending a five-year streak of qualifying for the tournament.

Despite winning the Monte Carlo Masters, Tsitsipas struggled to replicate that success throughout the year, reaching only one other Grand Slam quarter-final (French Open) and posting a disappointing 8-4 record in majors overall. He also failed to secure any titles besides Monte Carlo.