Stefanos Tsitsipas had admitted to violating the rules by having his father coach when it was forbidden. The world No. 4 made the admission after winning his last Australian Open match on Friday. This comes one year after the tournament carried out a sting operation against Daniil Medvedev in the semi-final of the previous season, during which Medvedev claimed Tsitsipas was being coached by his father.
Tsitsipas made history at the Australian Open when, after four appearances in the final four, he finally advanced to his first final. Three times before, the 24-year-old had lost in the semifinals, most recently to Medvedev in a contentious match in which the 2021 US Open champion accused Tsitsipas of cheating by receiving coaching from the stands.
Greek umpire Eva Asderaki-Moore was called in as part of a sting operation to sit beneath the 24-year-player old’s box and keep an eye out for any prohibited coaching from his father, Apostolos. Then, in July of last year, coaching from the stands was authorized.
Stefanos revealed: “Well, the coaching has always been there. Some coaches might not have been using it as much. In my case, it has always been part of how I do things when I’m on the court.”
Tsitsipas at the Australian Open, ranking, and results in 2023
Currently the world no.4, Stefanos has achieved a composed 10-0 record in 2023. Stefanos is competing at the Australian Open where he conquered the world no.61 Quentin Halys 6-3 6-4 7-66, the world no.169 Rinky Hijikata 6-3 6-0 6-2, the world no.63 Tallon Griekspoor 6-2 7-65 6-3, the world no.16 Jannik Sinner 6-4 6-4 3-6 4-6 6-3, the world no.71 Jiri Lehecka 6-3 7-62 6-4 and the world no.20 Karen Khachanov 7-62 6-4 6-76 6-3.
Stefanos Tsitsipas will play the world no.5 Novak Djokovic in the final on Sunday at 7:30 pm on Rod Laver Arena. Their current head to head is 10-2 for Djokovic.
Tsitsipas won 9 titles in his career: 4 on clay courts, 4 on indoor courts and 1 on grass courts. (See the list of his titles)
Tsitsipas will compete next in Rotterdam (ABN AMRO World Tennis Tournament). He will start the tournament from the main draw that will commence on the 13th of February.
