Stefanos Tsitsipas, the Greek tennis player, is once again making headlines for the wrong reasons. Following a heated altercation at the Canadian Open, Tsitsipas has decided to part ways with his father as his coach. He accused his father of not taking his feedback seriously, particularly regarding his struggles with his forehand, which ultimately led to his elimination from the tournament. As the 25-year-old exited the competition, he publicly announced the end of his professional relationship with his father, Apostolos.
Yesterday, Tsitsipas faced a defeat against Japan’s Kei Nishikori in straight sets during the second round of the Montreal tournament. Throughout the match, he made numerous unforced errors, mainly with his forehand, and placed the blame on his father for his difficulties. Consequently, Tsitsipas took to social media to inform his followers about the termination of his father’s role as his coach.
In his announcement, Tsitsipas stated, “It is with deep sadness that I inform you of the conclusion of my collaboration with my father as my coach. I believe it is best to maintain my father’s position solely as a father. Philosophy teaches us that wisdom arises from recognizing our limitations and acknowledging our mistakes. In my case, I have come to realize that I was wrong in the way I communicated with my father.”
During their partnership, Tsitsipas achieved significant victories, including multiple ATP Masters 1000 titles. Consequently, fans were displeased with his sudden decision and criticized Tsitsipas for dismissing his father as his coach.
Greek fans expressed their frustration with the termination of the partnership between Stefanos and Apostolos Tsitsipas. While some viewed the decision as naive, others believed that Tsitsipas was taking his privileges for granted. One fan took to Twitter to vehemently object to Tsitsipas’ choice, stating, “You are incredibly immature, Stefanos. Your mentality has ruined your career.”
Unlike many tennis legends, Tsitsipas was born into a privileged upbringing and had access to top-notch facilities while growing up. Consequently, some fans felt that he lacked appreciation for his opportunities and commented, “You were probably raised with all the advantages. You behave like an entitled wealthy child who is out of touch with reality and society. That’s what it seems like. If you don’t grow as a person, you will never reach the same level of greatness as Federer, Nadal, or Djokovic. So, broaden your horizons beyond just tennis.”
Tsitsipas’ outburst yesterday unfolded in the following manner – “I require and merit a coach who listens to my input as a player. My father has not displayed astuteness or proficiency in managing these situations.” Consequently, the speculations of their separation have undeniably materialized.
Moreover, some supporters directly targeted Tsitsipas with harsh remarks. While one individual on Twitter advised him to ‘seek the assistance of a psychiatrist first’ before seeking a coach, another fan asserted, “You exemplify what one should avoid. Accumulate as much wealth as you desire as an athlete because you have worked for it. However, you will remain insignificant as an individual. You necessitate help.”
On the contrary, a critic acknowledged Tsitsipas’ talent. Nonetheless, they believed that Tsitsipas required proper guidance regarding the psychological aspect of his game in order to elevate his talent to the next level. The comment stated, “I am one of your critics due to your inherent behavior. I hope you find a competent coach to showcase your talent and a valuable therapist to provide psychological support… best of luck.”
Interestingly, in the past, the Greek player expressed how his tennis journey would be inconceivable without Apostolos. Additionally, he acknowledged the difficulties his father might face. “Parents can sometimes become emotional, and I fully comprehend that. Although I am not a parent myself, I can envision the challenges one may encounter while witnessing their child exerting immense effort and enduring so much during a match.”
Photo from Stefanos Tsitsipas Instagram
