Two-time Major finalist Stefanos Tsitsipas has, at long last, announced his father Apostolos will no longer be coaching him after publicly criticising the 56-year-old after his straight-sets defeat by Kei Nishikori at the Canadian Open in Montreal this past week. Struggling for consistency and conscious younger rivals are progressing while he stagnates, what next for the 26-year-old?
Changes afoot, and it’s now crunch time for Stefanos
ALTHOUGH not a clean break, Stefanos Tsitsipas is clearly taking steps in the right direction to halt an alarming slump that he finds himself in the midst of.
Whether it’s Novak Djokovic-themed emotional baggage or younger rivals – Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner – outperforming him, early exits at big tournaments and technical limitations during these are only amplifying the 26-year-old’s struggles.
There was the story of his highly-regarded physical trainer Christos Fiotakis going public with his belief the Greek’s work ethic and ambitions weren’t aligned for someone supposedly hungry to become world no. 1 and win Grand Slam events.
That development came merely eight weeks ago but the unbalanced team atmosphere he hinted at wouldn’t be solved overnight and that pressure cooker was headlined by an emotive, often unimpressed father on the sidelines in Apostolos.
“I need and deserve a coach that listens to me, hears my feedback as a player. My father hasn’t been very smart or very good at handling those situations. I prefer to keep my father in his role as only a father.
He has been trying for the last few years to train me, raise me the right way and provide me with knowledge and wisdom, both on and off-the-field. I thank him for the sacrifices, pain and suffering he has endured to make this endeavor a success.”
- Excerpts from Tsitsipas’ comments in recent days, post-Nishikori defeat and announcing Apostolos would no longer coach him after 23 years together
While Apostolos still travelling with him on tour, albeit in a reduced role solely as spectator, may sound counterproductive for a highly-emotive introvert unsure of what he needs to bridge the gap, it shows an awareness changes are imperative.
The shakeup has been long overdue, this straight-sets defeat by an injury-plagued Kei Nishikori (6-4, 6-4) might’ve been the straw that broke the camel’s back but marked his fifth loss across three surfaces since Alcaraz blasted him off the Philippe-Chatrier court on June 4 in a French Open quarter-final quickly far from competitive.
“I’m not sure who will take his place and not in a position to decide yet. Accepting my mistakes and trying to mend my ways is part of my path as an athlete, I’ll continue working hard to improve, on and off-the-field. I hope this experience is a lesson for me and everyone who struggles to find the right balance in their lives.”
It might be difficult convincing two-time Major finalist and former world no. 8 Mark Philippoussis to re-join him a third time after unsuccessful spells prior, though whoever coaches Tsitsipas next needs an opportunity to do so freely without the unhealthy echo chamber atmosphere weighing them down. Holger Rune’s existing situation mirrors that, though he’s also five years younger and has time on his side.
Tsitsipas’ serve plus one is strong but while his backhand is an aesthetically pleasing groundstroke, often breaks down under duress – while the Greek’s rally tolerance isn’t a consistent weapon like 2021 US Open champ Daniil Medvedev for example.
There are still several significant non-Slam events between now and the season’s end, Tsitsipas sits ninth in the race for November’s ATP Finals and while pressure will increase to find a coaching solution if his dwindling form persists, he can use this time wisely with detailed match analysis rather than making any impulsive decisions.
What’s next?
Now then, the former world no. 3 will look to better his third-round finish from twelve months ago in Cincinnati and kicks off against Germany’s Jan-Lennard Struff, who was a straight-sets winner at his expense on grass in Halle last time out (June 20).
Unlike last year where his seeding saw him benefit from a bye straight into the second-round, the tournament’s #9 seed would then play either Britain’s Jack Draper or Spanish qualifier Jaume Munar in round two and Casper Ruud or Felix Auger-Aliassime potentially beckons in third-round action as the US Open prep continues.
Picture source: Getty Images
Mo and Sports 