Stefanos Tsitsipas announced that his father would no longer coach him (Image: Getty)
Stefanos Tsitsipas has announced that his father Apostolos will no longer be his coach.
The news comes one day after he slammed his dad in a brutal rant after suffering an opening round exit at the Canadian Open.
In a statement, the world No. 11 expressed regret after throwing his father under the bus but confirmed that they would stop working together professionally.
Tsitsipas and his dad have been known to have spats during matches and things came to a head when the Greek star suffered a shock loss to Kei Nishikori in Montreal. He then came off the court and launched an angry rant about how “disappointed” he was with Apostolos’ input.
Just 24 hours later, they have officially ended their coaching partnership. But the 25-year-old shared a heartfelt post apologising for his behaviour. “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 as a father,” he started.
“Philosophy teaches us that wisdom comes through understanding our limits and acknowledging our mistakes. In my case, I realised that I was wrong to talk to my father the way I did. Tennis is not just a match, a hit or a performance of a few seconds. It is a long journey full of emotions, pressure and expectations.
“In that moment of frustration, there were many mistakes and errors on the part of my coach and father. As an introvert, I tend to hold in my emotions and build them up until I reach a bursting point. I consider myself patient, so the fact that I reacted this way left me shocked.”
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Stefanos Tsitsipas has been coached by his father Apostolos on-and-off throughout his career (Image: Getty)
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Tsitsipas also showed remorse for their spat during his match against Nishikori. He continued: “My behaviour on the court was unacceptable, and I feel disappointed that I got to a point where I showed a dark side of myself. When I feel disrespected, judged, or emotionally attacked, I tend to lose control of what comes out of my mouth, which goes against my values as a human being. I lost control and could not see clearly in front of me.”
The 11-time title winner then thanked his father for his input and confirmed that Apostolos would still be travelling with him, though he has not yet found a replacement coach.
“My father has been trying for the last few years to train me, raise me the right way and provide me with knowledge and wisdom, both on and off the court. I thank him for that. I thank him for the sacrifices, pain and suffering he has endured to make this endeavour a success. From now on, his role will remain within the confines of the father role, and that alone,” Tsitsipas wrote.
“My father will continue to travel with me and be there to support me and provide assistance off the field, as I have always wanted. I have trusted my father with the coaching role for so many years, and I consider our partnership to be successful. I’m not sure who will take his place, and I’m not in a position to decide yet.
Stefanos Tsitsipas lost his opening match in Montreal (Image: Getty)
“What I do know is that it is time to let this chapter and this phase close, and try to write a new one. We’ve both agreed to that and hope to focus on our human side first, then the rest. Accepting my mistakes and trying to mend my ways is part of my path as an athlete, and I assure you that I will continue to work hard to improve myself, both on and off the field. I hope this experience is a lesson for me, and for everyone who struggles to find the right balance in their lives.”
It’s a quick U-turn from Tsitsipas, who blasted his father on Thursday. “I’ve already been complaining to my coach about it [not being able to perform with his forehand] for the last four or five days. That was also the reason why I had a confrontation with him during the match, I’m not used to it,” he said after losing to Nishikori.
“For me an ATP Master 1000 match is an important match. I need and I deserve a coach that listens to me and hears my feedback as a player. My father hasn’t been very smart or very good at handling those situations, it’s not the first time he has done that. I’m really disappointed at him.”
Tsitsipas and his dad also ended their coaching partnership last spring before reuniting in October. During their brief break, the Greek player was mentored by ex-pro Mark Philippoussis.
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