Stefanos Tsitsipas reveals the truth behind splitting with father Apostolos & choosing Novak Djokovic’s ex-coach Goran Ivanisevic over him

Stefanos Tsitsipas parted ways with his father, Apostolos, and will be joined by Novak Djokovic’s ex-coach, Goran Ivanisevic, starting with the Halle Open in Germany for a trial period. The Greek revealed the reasons that led him to make such a difficult decision, which he hopes will affect his career positively.

The Wimbledon champion has had a successful coaching stint with Djokovic, helping him stay on top of his game throughout their six-year partnership. He will look to use his expertise in developing Tsitsipas’s game that has troubled him in the last few years, noticeable recently after his second-round exit from the French Open to qualifier Matteo Gigante.

Currently ranked 26 on the ATP, Tsitsipas admitted that this decision of him parting ways with his father as coach was rather difficult. Appearing on The Changeover Podcast, he elaborated that their father-son relationship was taking a rather toxic turn due to the involvement of coaching duties. He said:

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“It reached a point before where tennis got too much in the way and, as bad as it sounds, I think it became even toxic in a way because I felt like he was constantly hunting. It reached the point where he was hunting more than me and that’s where the pressure kicks in. That’s where I feel the toxicity of it all."

Tsitsipas was being coached by Davis Cup winning coach, Dimitris Chatzinikolaou for some time after splitting with Apostolos in 2024. However, Stefanos Tsitsipas added that their relationship has improved after this immensely and no matter how much his father feels a little alienated from his inner-circle sometimes, he still is his father and would always remain dear to him.

Stefanos Tsitsipas on being coached by Goran Ivanisevic

In the same interview, Stefanos Tsitsipas spoke on what he expects of his Tennis Hall of Fame inducted coach, Goran Ivanisevic. He explained that he understands the fact that he will not start winning titles in a short period of time but will observe his improvements closely to help his game overall.

“I am not expecting this to be suddenly something that starts giving me titles from week one or week two, I’m focusing more on the long process of it, the whole journey of working with him and my whole goal with that is to try and see improvements,” Tsitsipas said.

He added that he values the experience that Ivanisevic will be bringing along with him and looks forward to training together.

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Aatreyi Sarkar

Aatreyi Sarkar is a tennis journalist at Sportskeeda. Currently pursuing a degree in Comparative Literature from Jadavpur University and a U.S. State Department scholar at The University of Kansas, she blends her academic background with her passion for storytelling.

Aatreyi sources accurate information from social media platforms to stay updated on the latest developments and fan discussions. She strives to produce engaging, insightful, and experimental content that connects with readers, aspiring to make tennis more accessible and captivating for fans around the globe

She finds immense inspiration in Novak Djokovic, whose incredible comebacks and relentless determination motivate her to approach her work with the same passion. Roland Garros is her favorite tournament, cherished for its unique clay-court challenges and historical importance.

Though new to professional writing, Aatreyi has been an avid debater and quizzer since middle school, showcasing her analytical skills and creativity. Outside tennis, she is a passionate cricket fan, baker, and reader who enjoys exploring literature beyond academic constraints.

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