Stefanos Tsitsipas’ campaign at the Madrid Open came to a disappointing end with a loss to Francisco Cerundolo, and afterward, the Greek star opened up about his current struggles — both on the court and mentally. One notable storyline has been the recent reappearance of his father, Apostolos Tsitsipas, in his player box after a period of stepping away from an active coaching role.
Despite Apostolos being courtside, Stefanos admitted that he hardly noticed his father’s presence during the match. “I didn’t listen to him at all. I don’t know what he said to me during the match, I wasn’t there in the box at all and I was trying to find solutions on my own,” Tsitsipas said during his press conference, suggesting a clear desire for autonomy even as he navigates a difficult stretch.
The return of Apostolos to his player box had sparked speculation about whether Tsitsipas was seeking a return to a more familiar support system. Tsitsipas had previously made a conscious decision to distance himself from his father as a full-time coach, opting instead to seek new perspectives and a greater sense of independence in managing his career.
The move was seen as a natural evolution for a player aiming to carve his own path, free from the sometimes-turbulent dynamic that had characterized their relationship over the years. However, Stefanos’ comments make it clear that he is striving to find answers on his own terms, signaling a period of transition and personal growth.
The former world No. 3 was critical in his assessment of his current level. “I’m hoping for an improvement, because so far I’m far below where I want to be,” he stated. Tsitsipas acknowledged that while training has been “okay,” his performances in matches have left much to be desired. He pointed to a high volume of unforced errors, a weaker serve, and a noticeable loss of power and spin in his shots — all issues that have sapped his confidence in recent weeks.
As the European clay season continues, Tsitsipas will look to regain his form in Rome — and perhaps find the right balance between independence and support from those closest to him.
Stefanos Tsitsipas’ campaign at the Madrid Open came to a disappointing end with a loss to Francisco Cerundolo, and afterward, the Greek star opened up about his current struggles — both on the court and mentally. One notable storyline has been the recent reappearance of his father, Apostolos Tsitsipas, in his player box after a period of stepping away from an active coaching role.
Despite Apostolos being courtside, Stefanos admitted that he hardly noticed his father’s presence during the match. “I didn’t listen to him at all. I don’t know what he said to me during the match, I wasn’t there in the box at all and I was trying to find solutions on my own,” Tsitsipas said during his press conference, suggesting a clear desire for autonomy even as he navigates a difficult stretch.
The return of Apostolos to his player box had sparked speculation about whether Tsitsipas was seeking a return to a more familiar support system. Tsitsipas had previously made a conscious decision to distance himself from his father as a full-time coach, opting instead to seek new perspectives and a greater sense of independence in managing his career.
The move was seen as a natural evolution for a player aiming to carve his own path, free from the sometimes-turbulent dynamic that had characterized their relationship over the years. However, Stefanos’ comments make it clear that he is striving to find answers on his own terms, signaling a period of transition and personal growth.
The former world No. 3 was critical in his assessment of his current level. “I’m hoping for an improvement, because so far I’m far below where I want to be,” he stated. Tsitsipas acknowledged that while training has been “okay,” his performances in matches have left much to be desired. He pointed to a high volume of unforced errors, a weaker serve, and a noticeable loss of power and spin in his shots — all issues that have sapped his confidence in recent weeks.
As the European clay season continues, Tsitsipas will look to regain his form in Rome — and perhaps find the right balance between independence and support from those closest to him.
