After being dismantled by longtime tormentor Carlos Alcaraz in the French Open quarters, Stefanos Tsitsipas returns to grass in Halle this week after a public split from physical trainer Christos Fiotakis where the highly-rated fitness coach went public with criticism on the 25-year-old’s ambitions and how they don’t match his work ethic. That assertion has been levelled at him before…
Tsitsipas has some issues to navigate
TWO-TIME Major finalist Stefanos Tsitsipas has experienced a topsy-turvy 2024 campaign thus far, topped by making history in Monte-Carlo and reaching the Barcelona final seven days later before Casper Ruud exacted revenge at his expense.
Tsitsipas, 26 in mid-August, returns to grass where the Greek’s historically struggled during his career to date – Mallorca 2022 title aside – and will do so without a longtime coach in his camp after Christos Fiotakis recently ended their partnership.
Familiarity breeds comfort and while Fiotakis’ comments may seem harsh on the surface, they also pull back the curtain a little for a talented player who hasn’t fulfilled his potential since making his Grand Slam claim after winning the year-end ATP Finals in 2019. Since then, there have been three new Major champions – two younger than him – and he finds himself sandwiched between generations.
Fiotakis, who classes Ferrari driver Charles Leclerc among his high-profile clients, comes across honestly blunt in describing why their pairing could no longer work.
He isn’t the only person to depart – two-time Major finalist and former world no. 8 Mark Philippoussis did last year while Tsitsipas’ sometimes combustible relationship with father Apostolos bubbles under the surface from an emotional players’ box.
“I hope that at some point he will understand what I’m telling him is correct and will get on the podium’s top step. I’m not happy with Stefanos’ work ethic, beyond that are things beyond my control, the team atmosphere doesn’t match my energy and unfortunately we have other priorities.
For now, I don’t think his ultimate goal is to play tennis, reach the top of the rankings or win Grand Slam tournaments. This is why I can’t travel for seven months straight, only 25 days at home, when goals aren’t high.”
As far as what’s next… Tsitsipas is scheduled to play 23-year-old German wildcard Henri Squire to kick off his Halle campaign, with a potential meeting vs. Squire’s compatriot Jan-Lennard Struff in the following round. New world no. 1 Jannik Sinner, also finding his feet on grass, will likely await the winner in quarter-final action.
Picture source: Getty Images
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