Stefanos Tsitsipas Hires Goran Ivanišević as New Coach
Stefanos Tsitsipas, a two-time Grand Slam finalist, is taking a bold step in his tennis career by hiring Goran Ivanišević, the 2001 Wimbledon champion, as his new coach. This partnership will officially commence at the Halle Open in Germany, where Ivanišević will join Tsitsipas’ coaching team on a trial basis. Notably, Tsitsipas’ long-time coach and father, Apostolos, will not be part of the team during this initial phase, as confirmed by a source close to Ivanišević.
Positive Interactions and Expectations
The Croatian coach, who has previously worked with tennis great Novak Djokovic, has expressed his belief that Tsitsipas deserves to be ranked among the top 10 players in the world. Their interactions on tour have historically been positive, which may contribute to a smooth working relationship. The young Greek player recently acknowledged this new coaching alliance via his social media.
Challenging Times for Tsitsipas
Tsitsipas is on the brink of exiting the top 20 in the ATP rankings for the first time since August 2018, following a disappointing performance at the French Open where he fell to Italian qualifier Matteo Gigante in the second round. This past year has been challenging for the 26-year-old, who has struggled to maintain his earlier form and cope with physical injuries. In a candid moment during a press conference, he expressed his difficulties in dealing with the demanding nature of the tour, describing his current situation as a “constant puzzle.”
Previous Coaching Changes
The last couple of years have seen Tsitsipas attempt to restore his passion and prowess on the court, particularly after removing his father from the coaching role in August 2024 following a shocking loss to then world No. 576 Kei Nishikori. Tsitsipas stated that he felt let down by his father’s coaching approach and sought a mentor who could actively engage with him and listen to his feedback.
In a bid to regain his competitive edge, Tsitsipas briefly trained with Greece’s Davis Cup captain, Dimitris Chatzinikolaou, and also experimented with a new racket model. However, after experiencing back pain, he returned to his previous racket choice during the clay season, where he continued to face disappointing results, including quarterfinal losses at the Monte Carlo and Madrid Opens.
Potential Revival Under Ivanišević
Ivanišević, who enjoyed a successful coaching spell with Djokovic — helping him secure 12 Grand Slam titles before their split in March 2024 — is viewed as a potential catalyst for Tsitsipas to rediscover his winning touch. Ivanišević’s own journey to success mirrors that of Tsitsipas, as he too faced setbacks in his career before finally clinching a Grand Slam title at Wimbledon after three final defeats.
The collaboration could potentially reignite Tsitsipas’ competitive spirit, especially as he approaches his 27th birthday. Both player and coach have much to gain from this partnership, with Ivanišević also seeking to revitalize his coaching credentials after a brief stint with Elena Rybakina. Their synergy might catalyze Tsitsipas’ ambitions of climbing back into the top echelons of men’s tennis, tantalizingly close to reclaiming his former glory.
Looking Ahead
If Ivanišević can effectively address Tsitsipas’ areas of struggle, particularly on mental fortitude and enhancing his serve, tennis fans could witness the resurgence of one of the sport’s most promising talents.
