Reflections on a Complicated Relationship
Stefanos Tsitsipas recently shared his candid reflections on his journey with his father, Apostolos Tsitsipas, who has been his coach for most of his career. The bond between them became strained over the years, often visible in the heat of competition when they would argue during matches. This increasing tension led to their separation in August of the previous year, which Tsitsipas described as an unavoidable outcome.
New Coaching Ventures
Since parting ways with his father, Tsitsipas has found temporary coaching arrangements before ultimately teaming up with renowned coach Goran Ivanisevic, known for his successful tenure with tennis star Novak Djokovic. This collaboration kicked off during the grass-court season, but before stepping into his first competition under Ivanisevic’s guidance, Tsitsipas opened up about his evolving relationship with his father on The Changeover Podcast.
Improvement and Acknowledgments
Despite the difficulties they faced, Tsitsipas emphasized that their relationship has improved recently. He acknowledged how hard it was initially for Apostolos to come to terms with no longer being a central figure in his son’s professional life.
“Our relationship has actually gotten better over the last couple of months. It was very hard and difficult in the beginning when we split. It was very hard for him to accept that he’s not part of my inner circle anymore,”
Tsitsipas said. He went on to recognize the immense sacrifices his father made for his tennis career, admitting that Apostolos sometimes seemed to care more about the outcomes than he did, adding pressure on both of them.
Realizations about Toxicity
Tsitsipas noted, however, that this deep investment in his success occasionally tipped into unhealthy territory. He candidly described a phase in their relationship as “toxic,” where he felt his father was overzealous in his coaching role, often feeling more like a hunter than a supporter of his journey.
“It reached a point before where tennis got too much in the way… It became even toxic in a way because I felt like he was constantly hunting. That’s where the pressure kicks in and that’s where I feel the toxicity of it all,”
Tsitsipas explained.
Looking Forward
As he embarks on this new chapter with Ivanisevic, Tsitsipas is realistic about the transition ahead. He is not expecting instant results but is looking forward to the learning experience that comes with such a relationship.
“I am not expecting this to be suddenly something that starts giving me titles from week one or week two. I’m focusing more on the long process of it, on the whole journey of working with him,”
he stated.
Moreover, he expressed hope that Ivanisevic’s experiences and insights will provide guidance not only in improving his strokes but also in enhancing his mental approach to the game:
“A part of an identity in a coach that is important, is to not only work on the technical aspects but also guide me in how I should be thinking,”
he said, reflecting on the broader impacts he hopes to gain from this partnership.
