Stefanos Tsitsipas Plans Stricter Boundaries as Father Returns to Coaching Role

Greek tennis star Stefanos Tsitsipas has confirmed that his father, Apostolos Tsitsipas, is rejoining his coaching team, but with a new approach following their turbulent split last year.

Apostolos replaces Goran Ivanisevic, who spent less than two months coaching Tsitsipas and publicly criticized the 26-year-old’s form, describing it as a “disaster.” Ivanisevic, who previously coached Novak Djokovic, later said Apostolos was the only coach capable of guiding his son.

The father-son duo have had a rocky history, with tensions erupting during the 2024 Canadian Masters when Tsitsipas asked Apostolos to leave mid-match against Kei Nishikori. The former world No.3 later admitted he needed to start trusting his own instincts after their separation.

Reflecting on the fallout, Tsitsipas told Ziggo Sport that the end of their partnership had been “obnoxious and unexpected,” admitting he did not recognize himself in the way he had reacted.

“There are a lot of things I regret from it … even my behaviour and reaction to it wasn’t very mature or very me,” he said.
“He definitely made me lose my inner control as well. But we’ve talked a lot since then. He’s been on tour occasionally as my father, not my coach.”

Tsitsipas now wants to ensure their professional relationship has clearer boundaries.

“I think I have to be strict with him. Sometimes I feel like he wants to do too many things on his own,” he explained.
“I’m trying to recalibrate that and make him understand that certain things need to happen the way I want them to happen. This relationship deserves way more than the way we’ve been treating it in the past.”

Currently ranked world No.30—his lowest position since 2018—Tsitsipas is looking to bounce back ahead of the US Open after a string of disappointing results and an early Wimbledon withdrawal due to injury.

Seeded 23rd in Toronto, he could meet Australian Alex de Minaur, fresh off his Citi Open win, in the third round.

“I’m feeling much better … Three weeks ago I couldn’t have imagined being in this position because I was in a really bad state physically,” he said.
“Once you’re not there physically, it affects you mentally too. I just need to stay strong. It’s been a tumultuous period, but I’m happy to be in Toronto—it wasn’t part of the plan.”