By Dominique Olaleye
World number 11 Stefanos Tsitsipas parts ways with his father and coach (Apostolos Tsitsipas) for a second time. This news follows the shock defeat to Japan’s Kei Nishikori – currently ranked 576th in the world. This first round clash between two former top 5 players, was won in straight sets by Nishikori, 6-4, 6-4 to become his first top 20 win since 2021.
What prompted this decision?
During the match, Tsitsipas confronted his father who was sat in the player’s box and was quick to express his anger and frustrations, demanding him to leave the stands. Following the match, in an interview, Tsitsipas once again could not contain the emotions felt towards his father.
“An ATP Masters 1000 match is an important match. I believe the least I deserve is a coach that listens to me and hears my feedback as a player. My father in those sorts of ways hasn’t been very smart or very good at handling those situations. It’s a really poor performance and not the first time he has done that so I’m really disappointed in him.”
This outburst from Stefanos was a shock to many because not only is Apostolos Tsitsipas his coach but he is primarily his father. Stefanos was born into a tennis family, his mother – Julia Apostoli (née Salnikova) – played on the WTA circuit until 1992 representing both the Soviet Union and Greece during her career. Apostolos also played in his youth before studying to become a tennis coach. Stefanos has been coached on and off by his father since 2001 when he first picked up a racket; however, their player-coach relationship has not always been smooth sailing. Apostolos has been known to be vocal from the player’s box and has made his presence known in matches. This has had negative repercussions for Stefanos who has incurred code violations from umpires for sideline coaching. It has been previously suggested by commentators that his father’s coaching style is more of a hindrance than aid. Tsitsipas and his father briefly parted ways following the introduction of coach Mark Philipoussis in 2023, but this did not last for as long as expected.
This time around, however, the split seems like a more permanent fix. Tsitsipas has posted a statement on X feeling regretful for his actions towards his father and announcing the split.
“It is with a heavy heart that I inform you that my collaboration with my father as a coach has come to an end. I prefer to keep my father in his role as a father, and only a father. Philosophy teaches us that wisdom comes through understanding our limits and acknowledging our mistakes. In my case, I realized that I was wrong to talk to my father the way I did.”
Is having a coach from your family the best thing?
Apostolos Tsitsipas is not the first family member to be an active coach in his child’s tennis career. Richard Williams is another father that had an active role in his children’s tennis career. Venus and Serena Williams were successfully coached by their father at times in their career and achieved countless Grand Slam wins throughout their career. “Uncle Toni” Nadal coached Spanish legend Rafael to an Olympic gold, 14 French Open titles, 2 Wimbledon titles, 3 US Open titles and an Australian Open title. The pair worked together for 27 years before departing in 2017.
Despite Stefanos and his father splitting now, before cracks appeared to from, the two have undeniably shared much success together. Tsitsipas is a two-time Grand Slam finalist, former world number 3 and three-time Monte-Carlo Masters Champion. Now, however, in light of this recent outburst it seems best for both parties and their personal relationship to end their professional one. It is unknown who will take over and become Tsitsipas’ new coach, but it has been made clear that his father will continue to travel with him providing support as a father and nothing more.
Having had my dad as a coach for much of my tennis journey, I am aware of the high intensity emotions involved. It can be difficult to separate the personal and professional relationship because of the passions and tensions concerned. Having a loved one as a coach is beneficial because that person knows you in ways that external coaches do not. You can share your successes and victories with someone close to you. However, this can also be straining on a relationship as at times, it can be hard to separate that personal and professional relationship when off the court. Finding that perfect balance is where the most success is garnered.
