Stefanos Tsitsipas Reveals ‘Biggest Issue in the Past’ Between Him and Father and Coach Apostolos

Stefanos Tsitsipas has finally opened up about why there were problems between him and his father, Apostolos Tsitsipas, in the past. Stefanos is in Perth for the United Cup, which kicked off on January 2.

The event, which was established in 2023, is underway at the RAC Arena in Perth and the Sydney Olympic Park Tennis Centre inside Ken Rosewall Arena. On the first day, Tsitsipas helped Greece take a 2-0 lead over Japan.

He went past Shintaro Mochizuki 6-3, 6-4. It was his first match in almost four months, as before the United Cup, he was last seen in action in the second round of the 2025 US Open.

In the pre-tournament press conference, Stefanos revealed why there was an altercation between him and Apostolos. During the 2024 Canadian Open, Stefanos yelled at Apostolos, who was coaching him at the time.

Following the outburst, Stefanos decided to end his professional relationship with Apostolos. Last year, he added Novak Djokovic‘s former coach, Goran Ivanisevic, to his team, but the partnership did not last for long. Apostolos rejoined his son’s team as his coach.

The biggest issue in the past with me and my father is obviously we’re two strong personalities, and we want to express our opinions. Sometimes they don’t really co-align.

Stefanos Tsitsipas said

Apostolos guided Stefanos to the No.3 ranking and helped him win multiple Big Titles, including the 2019 ATP Finals. Stefanos also reached three Grand Slam finals under his father’s guidance.

I don’t have any complaints. He’s a much better communicator. That was the most important thing working with him. It’s really important to stay honest and to stay true to yourself, of what you think and what you think needs improvement. It’s important to know where you put an end and a stop to it and accept and talk through certain things that might cause friction. So I believe so far we’ve been managing it better.

Stefanos Tsitsipas added

Stefanos had a forgetful 2025 season. He won just the Dubai Open last year by defeating Felix Auger-Aliassime.

Stefanos Tsitsipas contemplated retiring from tennis

Because of back problems, Stefanos Tsitsipas even contemplated hanging up his racket last year. Following his five-set defeat to Daniel Altmaier in the second round of the US Open, Tsitsipas withdrew from two tournaments.

I’m most excited to see how my actual training responds with regard to my back. My biggest concern was if I would finish a match. I would ask, ‘Can I play another match without pain?’ I got really scared after the US Open loss. I would not walk for two days. That’s when you reconsider the future of your career.

Stefanos Tsitsipas said during the pre-tournament press conference

Last year, the 27-year-old failed to progress beyond the second round of Grand Slam events. He made the second rounds of the French Open and the US Open. But at the Australian Open and at Wimbledon, he suffered first-round exits.

In the Masters 1000 events last year, the former World No.3, Tsitsipas, made just one quarterfinal- at the Monte Carlo Masters, where he was playing as the defending champion. The last time Tsitsipas won multiple titles was in 2022 (won the Monte Carlo Masters and the Mallorca Open). The last time he won a Masters 1000 title was at the 2024 Monte Carlo Masters.

Also, for the second time in his career, Tsitsipas failed to book a spot in the ATP Finals. In 2024, he came as an alternate player. The last time Tsitsipas made a deep run in a Grand Slam event was in last year’s French Open, where he reached the quarterfinals.

Also read: Serena Williams’ Former Coach Reveals What He Hopes Coco Gauff Will Achieve This Season

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