Stefanos Tsitsipas: A Rising Star in Decline
Stefanos Tsitsipas, once heralded as a rising star on the ATP Tour, is facing significant challenges as he grapples with a downward ranking spiral. The 26-year-old Greek talent, who had previously achieved remarkable success—including reaching two Grand Slam finals and securing victories over all members of tennis’ Big Three—has seen his world ranking plummet to 26th. Following the Wimbledon Championships, it’s expected that his position may decline even further.
Seeking Guidance from Goran Ivanisevic
In a bid to reverse his fortunes on the court, Tsitsipas has enlisted Goran Ivanisevic, the former Wimbledon champion known for his coaching tenure with Djokovic. Ivanisevic’s role is not just to guide Tsitsipas technically but also to help rekindle the fire he once had. However, during a candid discussion with Sport Klub, Ivanisevic expressed grave concerns regarding Tsitsipas’s current state, going as far as to label him the “most unprepared player” he has encountered.
The Croatian’s blunt assessment does not shy away from critique; he noted that he considers himself in superior physical condition compared to the current World No. 26, criticizing Tsitsipas’s unfulfilled potential and lack of progress despite his expressed desire to improve.
“It’s simple and it’s not easy. If he resolves some things outside of tennis, then he has a chance to return to where he belongs, because he’s too good a player to be out of the Top 10,”
Ivanisevic remarked, emphasizing the need for Tsitsipas to address broader issues affecting his performance.
Internal Challenges and Future Prospects
This situation mirrors previous comments made by Tsitsipas’ former physio regarding internal challenges within the athlete’s support system. Throughout most of his career, Tsitsipas has primarily relied on his father, Apostolos, for guidance, which might have contributed to his recent struggles.
After suffering an early exit at Wimbledon, Tsitsipas voiced his disappointment at not being able to showcase his skills under Ivanisevic’s coaching. He expressed,
“I am very disappointed that I wasn’t able to show my potential… It’s not easy if I don’t feel good with myself and my body, then I can’t really show anything.”
As the grass season concludes, Tsitsipas is set to compete in the Croatia Open in Umag, a clay-court tournament, with hopes of reigniting his performance on the hard courts ahead. He now faces the urgent task of harnessing his ambition into tangible results on the ATP circuit.
