“I prefer him to take on the role of a father and nothing more,” said Stefanos Tsitsipas of his father and coach Apostolos. The Greek tennis star’s tumultuous relationship with his father, who “takes up all the space” in his career, reached a breaking point in Montreal. After a heated argument about string tension, the star fired his father as his coach for the second time. The Greek’s former physiotherapist, Jerome Bianchi, has now revealed how this complicated dynamic negatively impacted the player’s career and personal well-being.

Bianchi states that the 25-year-old player, who achieved 11 tour-level titles under his Apostolos’ coaching, found his father’s influence to be suffocating, limiting his growth and potential. “Their relationship has not been sustainable for years, their way of operating is harmful,” he said of Tsitsipas, who was introduced to the sport at age three and began taking lessons at age six. As Stefanos grew up and turned pro in 2016, their dynamic also took a wild turn due to his father’s(read Parents) constant bickers from the player’s box during his matches. 

It made Stefanos respond with “shut up” (2024 French Open second-round clash against Daniel Altmaier.) or even hit a tennis ball toward his player’s box in frustration (2022 ATP Finals clash against Andrey Rublev). Bianchi revealed how Greek’s father’s lack of ability to “listen” and being a “chatterbox” irked every player who trained alongside Tsitsipas. This is how Bianchi puts it: “He wants to take up all the space and leaves him zero oxygen.” 

All this led to Stefanos breaking up with his father last year and introducing Mark Philippoussis to his team (in August) instead. But in October, he brought him back once again, saying, “He’s here to stay,” and dismissing the rumors of his rocky relationship with his father. In small groups, the Greek soumetimes expressed his doubts. While he spoke of his father as an “extraordinary man” and his “best friend”, he paid tribute to his “loving and protective mother”. Read the last two words once more. 

Bianchi further revealed how his Greek’s mother, Julia Apostoli, always intervened in the father-son partnership. “Every time Stefanos wanted to break up with his father, his mother ran and said: “You can’t do this to him, he dedicated his life to you” and he found himself feeling guilty.”

And now that his father is finally out of his coaching team, the Monte Carlo Masters winner works with Greece’s Davis Cup captain Dimitris Hadjinikolaou, in order to better his performance. However, Bianchi, who hails Stefanos as the “current player with the greatest physical qualities,” is sad for him.

“He(Stefanos) realizes that he is getting on in age and that his career has not been what it should have been,” said Bianchi of Tsitsipas, who is a two-time grand slam finalist but has never won it. Even then, Tsitsipas’ opinion about his coaching experience with his father differs!

Stefanos Tsitsipas on his “successful” coaching partnership with his father

Following an admission of how “really disappointed” he was of his father’s coaching in Canada, Stefanos Tsitsipas’ speech changed to a softer tone. Regretting how he was “wrong” about the way he talked with his father, the Greek ATP player added, “I have trusted my father with the coaching role for so many years and I consider our partnership a success.”

Tsitsipas, who was concerned about his forehand, accepted how, in a moment of anger, he “lost control” on his words, revealing a “dark side” to his fans. He further added, “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.”

Tsitsipas’ Cincinnati Masters and US Open performances have not been quite fruitful for him as he experienced early rounds exits. However, will Stefanos escape this tangled web of relationship and unlock his true potential with his new coach? Only time will tell!