In what appears to be a veiled criticism of his former coach and father, Apostolos, world-ranked number 9 tennis player Stefanos Tsitsipas has spoken candidly about his newfound success under the guidance of his current coach, Dimitris Chatzinikolaou. Tsitsipas’s professional relationship with his father had been fraught with contention and public discord, ultimately leading to a well-publicized separation last summer.
Over the years, Tsitsipas’s coaching journey with his father was marked by a series of reunions and separations. The volatile partnership often made headlines, with numerous instances of heated altercations between Tsitsipas and his box. Notably, Tsitsipas’s frustrations boiled over at the 2020 ATP Cup when he smashed a racket by his father and directed a ball towards his team at the 2022 ATP Finals.
The tipping point came last year in Canada when Tsitsipas lost his opening match and openly criticized his father’s tactics, referring to them as not being “very smart.” Despite apologizing for the outburst, Tsitsipas decided to cut professional ties with his father.
Following this fallout, Tsitsipas quickly brought Chatzinikolaou on board, a move that has proven fruitful. Since this partnership, Tsitsipas has clinched his first ATP 500 title in Dubai, re-established his position in the world’s top 10, and advanced to the round of 16 in Indian Wells.
Speaking about his relationship with Chatzinikolaou, Tsitsipas described it as an “honest” and “unfiltered” rapport. He highlighted their clear and open communication, emphasizing its importance in a successful team. The 26-year-old Greek player also noted his coach’s open-mindedness and readiness to adapt, in what seemed to be a subtle swipe at his previous coaches.
Tsitsipas went on to appreciate the mutual feedback loop that exists between him and Chatzinikolaou, which he believes strengthens their bond. He stated that neither of them pretends to know everything, and this humility allows them to work together effectively.
While Tsitsipas refrained from mentioning Apostolos by name, he did confess that their professional partnership had put a strain on their father-son relationship. During an appearance on the Tennis Insider Podcast, hosted by WTA star Caroline Garcia, Tsitsipas expressed his desire to restore their personal relationship, saying, “I really want him to be my father because I feel like through our relationship in tennis, things have kind of gotten mixed up.”
With his coaching woes seemingly behind him, Tsitsipas’s professional career appears to be on an upward trajectory under the guidance of Dimitris Chatzinikolaou. His recent success and renewed focus on the game could signal a new era for the Greek tennis star.