Stefanos Tsitsipas issues cryptic post amid messy split with Goran Ivanisevic

In a whirlwind of personal and professional upheaval, Greek tennis star Stefanos Tsitsipas has parted ways with coach Goran Ivanisevic after a brief but tumultuous two-month collaboration, leaving the tennis world buzzing with speculation. The former world No. 3, now ranked No. 29, announced the split on Instagram, describing it as a “brief but intense experience” and a “truly valuable chapter” in his journey. The decision follows a scathing public critique from Ivanisevic and comes alongside reports of Tsitsipas’ breakup with fellow tennis player Paula Badosa. Amid these challenges, Tsitsipas posted a cryptic message on X on July 21, 2025: “You want to destroy a man? Laugh at his purpose. Question his mission.” As he prepares for the Canadian Open, the 26-year-old’s words hint at a resolve to reclaim his spark, both on and off the court.

Tsitsipas and Ivanisevic began their partnership in May 2025, after a disappointing second-round exit at the French Open against Matteo Gigante. The hiring of the 2001 Wimbledon champion, who previously guided Novak Djokovic to nine Grand Slam titles, was seen as a bold move to reverse Tsitsipas’ slide from the ATP elite. However, their collaboration yielded just one win across two grass-court tournaments, culminating in a devastating first-round retirement at Wimbledon against qualifier Valentin Royer due to a back injury. Ivanisevic didn’t hold back, telling Serbian outlet Sportklub, “I have never seen a more unprepared player in my life. With this knee, I am three times more fit than him. This is really bad.” He later doubled down, saying, “He wants, but he doesn’t do anything. All ‘I want, I want,’ but I don’t see any progress,” pointing to off-court issues and a lack of physical readiness.

The Croatian’s blunt criticism sparked a public feud, with Tsitsipas firing back in an interview with Greek outlet SDNA. “It is very difficult to have dictators and people who speak negatively and you don’t feel like they are close to you like family,” he said, signaling his discomfort with Ivanisevic’s approach. In Athens, where he’s been reconnecting with his roots, Tsitsipas elaborated on his vision for a supportive coaching environment. “When I work with the right people, with people I choose and who make me feel comfortable, then the motivation is there,” he explained. He emphasized building a “family” with his team, including childhood friends and fitness coach Fred Lefebvre, to rediscover the joy he felt as a 15-year-old breaking into tennis.

Tsitsipas’ cryptic X post, shared days before the split, appeared to address both Ivanisevic’s harsh words and personal challenges, including his reported breakup with Badosa. The couple, who went public in June 2023 and briefly split in May 2024 before reconciling, reportedly parted ways again after Wimbledon. The emotional toll, combined with his ongoing back injury, left Tsitsipas despondent, admitting at Wimbledon, “I saw no point to competing” and expressing uncertainty about his tennis future. Ivanisevic acknowledged the impact of his critique, noting in a Nova TV interview, “Every tennis player, when their ego gets worked up, they don’t like criticism.” Yet, he endorsed Tsitsipas’ decision to reunite with his father, Apostolos Tsitsipas, saying, “The only person who can coach him is his dad.”

As Tsitsipas prepares for the Canadian Open in Toronto, where he reached the final in 2018, he’s banking on familial support to reignite his career. His 19-13 record this season, highlighted by a title in Dubai, shows flashes of his potential, but his 1-4 Grand Slam record over the past two years underscores the stakes. “I feel more relieved, and also closer to the 15-year-old Stefanos,” he said, reflecting on his return to Athens. With plans to compete in the Davis Cup for Greece against Brazil in September, Tsitsipas declared, “A Davis Cup title would probably mean more to me than a Grand Slam.” As he navigates this critical juncture, his cryptic message and renewed focus on family suggest a player determined to silence doubters and rediscover his path to greatness.

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