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Is Stefanos Tsitsipas's career being held back by his father's coaching methods?

“It felt like I was able to restart now with a new mindset and it helped me get a bit of confidence,” is what Stefanos Tsitsipas said after overcoming a tiebreaker situation against Kei Nishikori. The Greek ATP star is currently facing the ups and downs of competition for the last few weeks. While Daniil Medvedev became a hindrance for him at the Shanghai Masters,  all he could do was get his focus away from the Asian swing. As the latest updates unfolded, the 26-year-old stepped forward to explain how things have been going for him lately.

Stefanos Tsitsipas recently spoke about his current form and the challenges he’s facing on the ATP Tour. The Greek star admitted that this period in his career feels like a “transformation,” as he believes he has improved his game significantly. However, those improvements have yet to consistently show in his recent results. “I feel like a better player,” Tsitsipas revealed in a recent interview with Tennis TV, “it’s just that I haven’t really shown that on the court so far with some of my results in the last few weeks.”

Despite a tough season, Tsitsipas remains optimistic and focused on putting in the daily work. He acknowledged that he’s had some hard-fought victories but is still waiting for the breakthrough that will fully uncover his progress. “I don’t know when it’s going to come, I wish I could decide when,” Tsitsipas said, accepting that these moments of success can’t always be predicted.

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With the ATP Finals fast approaching, Tsitsipas knows that he needs strong performances in the upcoming tournaments. This is targeted to events including the Swiss Indoors in Basel and the Paris Masters. He is set to face Francisco Cerundolo in the opening round, a player who is tough despite indoor hardcourts not suiting his game. However, Tsitsipas remains confident that his strong serve can help him dominate in the match.

Earlier this month, Tsitsipas demonstrated his fighting spirit at the European Open in Antwerp, where he survived a tough battle against Brazilian qualifier Thiago Seyboth Wild. The second seed was pushed to his limits but managed to come through with a 7-6(5), 4-6, 7-5 victory. “It was exhausting out here having to stay in the match,” Tsitsipas said, remembering the intensity of the three-setter. “It was all psychological at the end, I managed my nerves pretty well,” he added, admitting that he had to shift to a more defensive approach to secure the win. “I don’t usually like to build my game around defensive shots, but I had to fight, I had to do anything within my artillery to make it work.”

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However, his progress was halted in the following round when he lost to Jiri Lehecka. Despite this setback, Tsitsipas remains determined. He knows that he has the right tools to win and is hopeful that the upcoming weeks will allow him to demonstrate the improvements he’s worked hard to achieve. Besides the inconsistency, the coaching change has also been one of the main reasons behind his downfall.

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Is Stefanos Tsitsipas's career being held back by his father's coaching methods?

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Stefanos Tsitsipas Opens Up About Coaching Frustrations with His Father Apostolos

The former world No. 3 and two-time Grand Slam runner-up Stefanos Tsitsipas expressed growing frustration with his coaching situation earlier this year. After months of disappointing results, Stefanos revealed that he has been struggling with his forehand, a key weapon in his game. “I’ve been complaining to my coach about [my forehand] for the last four, five days,” Tsitsipas told reporters during the Montreal Masters. He explained that his dissatisfaction with how the issue was handled led to an on-court confrontation with his father, something that is unusual for the player.

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This tension highlights a deeper issue in their working relationship. Tsitsipas made it clear that his frustration stems from feeling unheard. “I need and I believe I deserve a coach that listens to me and hears my feedback as a player,” he said, showing that the disconnect isn’t just about his forehand, but about communication in general. The Greek star, who is known for being thoughtful and analytical, feels that his input during important matches is being overlooked, especially during critical moments in tournaments. This dissatisfaction has led to a rare public criticism of his father’s coaching methods.

Tsitsipas didn’t hold back and therefore shared his disappointment directly. He made it clear that his father “hasn’t been very smart or very good at handling those situations” and admitted it’s not the first time this has happened. The frustration ran deeper as Stefanos confirmed that he was “really disappointed” in his father’s ability to manage these situations. As players now look towards Paris, it still remains to be seen if Tsitispas will be able to regain his form.

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