Stefanos Tsitsipas, the Greek tennis star, recently opened up about his decision to part ways with his father, Apostolos, who had been his coach for many years. The split, which occurred in September last year, was a significant moment for Tsitsipas, both personally and professionally.
In a candid conversation on the Tennis Insiders Club podcast hosted by Caroline Garcia, Tsitsipas revealed that the decision was driven by several factors. He mentioned that tensions had been building up over time, and he felt it was necessary to take a different path. Despite the challenges, Tsitsipas acknowledged his father’s immense contribution to his career, praising him for being a great support and a man of honor.
The emotional toll of the split was evident as Tsitsipas admitted that it was difficult to disconnect from his father. He also noted that his father’s energy levels had decreased, and he was making more mistakes than usual. Tsitsipas emphasized that he wanted to maintain a father-son relationship rather than just a professional one.
Although the split did not lead to immediate improvements in Tsitsipas’ performance, he believes it was the right decision for his overall well-being. He remains in touch with his father and values their relationship beyond the tennis court.
Tsitsipas’ honesty about the split has been appreciated by many in the tennis community, and it highlights the complexities of balancing personal and professional relationships. As he continues his journey in tennis, Tsitsipas hopes to find a new balance and achieve success with a fresh perspective.
Stefanos Tsitsipas in 2025
Now the world no.13, the Greek played his last match on the 13th of January when he lost to world no.36 Alex Michelsen 7-5 6-3 2-6 6-4 in the 1st round of the Australian Open (draw).
During this season the Greek has a 1-2 match record.