In a move that has sent shockwaves through the tennis world, Stefanos Tsitsipas, Greece’s tennis prodigy, has announced a bold new chapter in his career by enlisting Goran Ivanisevic, the former Wimbledon champion and renowned coach, to guide him starting after the 2025 Roland Garros. The decision, unveiled as Tsitsipas competes in the Monte-Carlo Masters, signals his ambition to break through at the Grand Slam level and conquer surfaces that have long eluded him. At 26, with two major finals under his belt, Tsitsipas is betting on Ivanisevic’s pedigree to unlock his untapped potential.
Tsitsipas, currently ranked world No. 8, has been a force on the ATP Tour, with 13 career titles, including three Monte-Carlo Masters crowns. Yet, his quest for a maiden Grand Slam has been thwarted, most notably in the 2021 French Open and 2023 Australian Open finals, both losses to Novak Djokovic—whom Ivanisevic coached during that period. The Greek star’s game, built on a potent serve, aggressive forehand, and flair for the net, has dazzled fans, but consistency at the majors has remained elusive. “I wasn’t doing great lately, and the last few months weren’t amazing for me,” Tsitsipas admitted recently, reflecting on a 2024 season that saw him slip from the top 10 before a resurgent 2025, highlighted by a Dubai title. “I felt like some of my opponents were overpowering me… I had to do something about it.”
Enter Ivanisevic, a coaching titan whose resume boasts guiding Djokovic to 12 Grand Slam titles and mentoring Marin Cilic to the 2014 US Open. The Croatian, known for his fiery passion and tactical acumen, brings a wealth of experience, particularly on grass, where Tsitsipas has struggled, never advancing past Wimbledon’s fourth round. “This is a very bold move,” one fan enthused on social media, capturing the excitement rippling through the tennis community. “With Goran in his corner, Stefanos could finally grab that Grand Slam.” Another added, “What a pickup for Tsitsipas—Goran could have coached anyone, but he chose Stef.”
The timing of the partnership is strategic. Tsitsipas, who parted ways with his father, Apostolos, as head coach in August 2024 after a public falling-out during the Canadian Open, has been working with Greece’s Davis Cup captain, Dimitris Chatzinikolaou, and Kerei Abakar during the clay season. The transition to Ivanisevic post-Roland Garros aligns with the grass-court swing, where Tsitsipas aims to rewrite his narrative. “I’m at a crossroads in navigating towards a different alignment of my life, of my career,” Tsitsipas said last year, hinting at his hunger for change. Ivanisevic’s expertise, honed during his own 2001 Wimbledon triumph, could prove pivotal in transforming Tsitsipas’s fortunes on the slick lawns of SW19.
Ivanisevic’s journey to Tsitsipas’s camp hasn’t been without drama. After parting with Djokovic in 2024, he briefly coached Elena Rybakina, only to exit after three tournaments amid controversy surrounding her former coach’s return. “Goran deserves a good place after that Rybakina mess,” one observer noted, reflecting sentiment that Tsitsipas offers Ivanisevic a fresh canvas. The Croatian has long admired Tsitsipas, reportedly saying in 2019, “He plays with his heart… He’s not afraid to attack, amazing.” He also critiqued Tsitsipas’s serve, suggesting room for improvement—a focus that could sharpen the Greek’s game.
For Tsitsipas, the move reflects a maturing outlook. His 2024 split with his father was fraught, marked by a mid-match outburst in Montreal where he asked Apostolos to leave his box. “It’s with a heavy heart that I inform you that my collaboration with my father as a coach has come to an end,” he later announced, expressing gratitude for Apostolos’s sacrifices. Since then, Tsitsipas has leaned on Chatzinikolaou, crediting him for improving his work ethic. “I was working very well with Dimitris… I saw big improvement,” he said. Yet, with Ivanisevic, Tsitsipas is aiming higher, seeking the spark to elevate him past rivals like Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner.
As Tsitsipas battles through Monte-Carlo, where he’s reached the quarter-finals with a dominant 6-1, 6-1 win over Nuno Borges, the tennis world is abuzz with anticipation. Will Ivanisevic’s fiery coaching style mesh with Tsitsipas’s introspective nature? Can he refine the Greek’s serve and net play to conquer Wimbledon’s grass? “One of the best moves Stefanos has made,” a supporter declared, echoing the optimism surrounding this partnership. With Roland Garros looming, Tsitsipas is defending nearly 2,000 points on clay, but his sights are set beyond—on grass, glory, and a legacy-defining Grand Slam.