Stefanos Tsitsipas and his father Apostolos have a rather interesting relationship. The Greek sensation has been traveling together with his father since the very beginning of his career all over the world. However, during the last US Open, Stefanos lost his cool against his dad during a disastrous 3rd round against Borna Coric to shout at his father: “you don’t know.”
The episode highlighted the fact that the dual relationship dad-coach may be dysfunctional at times and it seemed as it would have been better for Stefanos not to be coached by his father anymore.
Stefanos went to Rome without his father and things went from bad to worse as he lost in his opening match against Jannik Sinner in 3 sets playing a rather bad match.
Apostolos back in Hamburg and Paris
Eventually, Stefanos’ father was back with his son in Hamburg and at the French Open. Tsitsipas had an excellent run in Germany where he reached the final before throwing away the title when he couldn’t capitalize a 5-3 lead in the 3rd set against Rublev. After a tentative 1st round in Paris when the Greek ace won the match against Munar after he was 2 sets down. Fortunately, things looked better for Stefanos soon after when he dismissed Pablo Cuevas in straight sets.
In the press conference that followed his match against Cuevas, Stefanos talked about not having his father in Rome. He admitted that he was really missing him also and especially when he wasn’t playing.
“It was difficult not having my dad in Rome. Honestly, I was struggling a little bit. It was difficult, the separation, and not having him there,” he said. “I think it was the first time that my dad was absent from a match that I played since I was 12 or 13 when I first started traveling and playing. So it was quite unusual. For sure I didn’t feel comfortable. Although I did have my coaches from the academy and my entire team, exception to my dad. I felt like there was something missing, and I think that’s very valuable for a player to feel comfortable, having the right people around him.”
The Greek champion added that he started to appreciate even more the presence of his father in the player’s box after Rome to say:
“I think I appreciate it and cherish that even more the fact that I have my dad next to me and the fact that he’s like my wingman, my right arm, helps me with everything and makes me feel important when I’m out on the court and in my daily life.”
Tsitsipas at the French Open, ranking, and results in 2020
Ranked world no.6, Tsitsipas has a 22-9 win-loss record in 2020. The Greek is now competing at the French Open where he defeated Jaume Antoni Munar Clar 4-6 2-6 6-1 6-4 6-4 and Pablo Cuevas 6-1 6-4 6-2.
Stefanos Tsitsipas will square off with Bedene in the 3rd round. The head to head is 1-0 for Bedene.
Tsitsipas conquered 1 title in 2020 in Marseille. Stefanos reached the final in Dubai and in Hamburg.
The Greek won 5 titles in his career: 1 on clay courts and 4 on indoor courts. (See the list of his titles)
Sinner at the French Open, ranking, and results in 2020
Now ranked no.75, Sinner has a 9-11 win-loss record in 2020. Sinner is now competing at the French Open where he toppled David Goffin 7-5 6-0 6-3 and Benjamin Bonzi 6-2 6-4 6-4.
Jannik Sinner will square off with Coria in the 3rd round. They have never played each other till now on the main tour.
Stefanos Tsitsipas and Jannik Sinner played each other twice. The head to head is 1-1. The last time that they squared off, Jannik Sinner won 6-1 6-79 6-2 in the 2nd round in Rome (Internazionali BNL d’Italia) on the 16th of September 2020.
Here the highlights.