Stefanos Tsitsipas Takes Dig at Goran Ivanisevic with His Grand Slam Guarantee Remark

Ahead of the Italian Open, Stefanos Tsitsipas was seen training with his dad, Apostolos Tsitsipas, and his mom, Sergeyevna Salnikova. Then, in an interview, he talked about his parents’ coaching style.

Tsitsipas suffered a straight-set defeat at the hands of Tomas Machac in the first round of the Italian Open. This marked his sixth first-round defeat this season. The Greek ace is a one-time finalist in Rome, reaching the stage in 2022 and losing the match to 24-time Grand Slam champion Novak Djokovic.

Tsitsipas rehired his father as his coach following his split with Goran Ivanisevic. The former World No.3 added the Croatian coach to his entourage before the grass swing last year, but the partnership did not last for long. They parted ways after Tsitsipas’ mid-match retirement in the first round of Wimbledon.

Both Ivanisevic and Tsitsipas criticized each other publicly. Ivanisevic said his former protege lacked match preparedness, while Tsitsipas said Djokovic’s ex-coach “kicked” him when he was “already down”.

I have worked with someone who always kept an open mind to maybe hear something new or have a different perspective besides my father, because my father is also someone that sometimes finds himself repeating stuff, and I keep listening to the same thing over and over again during years and years on the tour. So sometimes I need a fresh new voice.

Stefanos Tsitsipas said (H/T: Tennis Moments’ YouTube Channel)

Before joining Tsitsipas’ team, Ivanisevic also had a short coaching partnership with Elena Rybakina. It was the first time he worked with a WTA coach. But the partnership ended just after her Australian Open exit due to the Stefano Vukov saga.

What works best for me is my mother and my father. My mother has knowledge in the game. She’s played professional tennis herself. She sees the game slightly different on my dad. I find them both interesting characters to have on the court, but I honestly enjoy and I find more freeing for myself being with around my family and being with my family. Having a coach that has won Grand Slams doesn’t always guarantee anything, you know.

Stefanos Tsitsipas added

Djokovic won 12 of his 24 Grand Slam titles under the tutelage of Ivanisevic. The 54-year-old is a former Major champion. He lifted the 2001 Wimbledon by defeating Pat Rafter.

Stefanos Tsitsipas on his form issue

Stefanos Tsitsipas kicked off his campaign for the 2026 season at the Adelaide International, only to suffer a first-round exit. Tsitsipas then lost in the second round of the Australian Open and ATP Rotterdam but made the quarterfinals in Doha. It was, in fact, the only time he reached the last eight of an event this year. During his interview with Ziggo Sport, Tsitsipas said he thinks he has started to rediscover his form.

Like, I’m really happy with the way I’ve been playing. Starting to get bits and pieces of my old self, which feels good. But of course, there’s so much work to do, and I have to recreate that on an actual match. So, don’t want to promise too much yet.

Next is the Roland Garros. Tsitsipas is a former finalist in Paris. He reached the final in 2021 and lost to Novak Djokovic. Since then, he has played two quarterfinals, in 2023 and 2024, losing both times to Carlos Alcaraz. Last year, his run ended in the second round with a four-set defeat to Matteo Gigante.

The last time Tsitsipas won a title was at the 2025 Dubai Tennis Championships by defeating Felix Auger-Aliassime. He has yet to play a final since then.

Also read: Jasmine Paolini Addresses Fellow Players’ Roland Garros Boycott Threat over Prize Money: “We Are All United”