The tennis world is abuzz with intrigue following Paula Badosa’s subtle yet provocative comment that appears to shed light on the strained dynamic between her ex-boyfriend, Stefanos Tsitsipas, and his father, Apostolos Tsitsipas. The Spanish star’s cryptic social media reaction, posted shortly after Tsitsipas addressed his past conflicts with his father, has reignited discussions about the Greek player’s complex family ties. As the 2025 season unfolds, with both players grappling with injuries and career setbacks, Badosa’s remark has added a layer of off-court drama to their already turbulent year, especially after their recent breakup following a high-profile romance.
Badosa and Tsitsipas, once the darling “Tsitsidosa” couple of the tennis circuit, ended their relationship in July 2025, just weeks after disappointing first-round exits at Wimbledon. Their split, described as amicable, came amidst professional struggles, with Badosa battling a chronic back injury and Tsitsipas sidelined by a persistent back issue that forced him to retire mid-match against Valentin Royer. The couple’s withdrawal from the US Open mixed doubles event, announced on July 21, 2025, marked the final chapter of their on-and-off romance, which began in May 2023. Despite their breakup, Badosa’s recent comment suggests she remains attuned to Tsitsipas’s personal challenges, particularly his fraught relationship with his father, Apostolos, who has served as both coach and a polarizing figure in his career.
The drama traces back to a heated moment at the 2024 Canadian Open, where Tsitsipas, then ranked world number 12, clashed publicly with Apostolos during a first-round loss to Kei Nishikori. The exchange, marked by visible frustration, culminated in Tsitsipas criticizing his father’s coaching approach in a post-match press conference, announcing that Apostolos would no longer serve as his coach. “I prefer to keep my father in his role as a father, and only as a father,” Tsitsipas declared, a decision that shocked fans given Apostolos’s long-standing presence in his son’s career. This wasn’t the first time Tsitsipas parted ways with his father; a brief split in 2023 saw him work with Mark Philippoussis, only to rehire Apostolos two months later.
Badosa’s cryptic response came in the form of a social media endorsement of a statement by Ivan Ljubicic, Roger Federer’s former coach, who urged tennis parents to prioritize raising their children over micromanaging their careers. “Soooo good 👏,” Badosa posted on July 23, 2025, shortly after Tsitsipas reflected on his reconciliation with Apostolos. In an interview with Greek outlet SDNA, Tsitsipas admitted to apologizing for his outburst, saying, “We discussed it, from my side I had to apologize because it was a big mistake on my part. We have found a new line of communication and a way to talk to each other, so that such things don’t happen again and such tensions don’t arise again.” While Badosa didn’t name Apostolos directly, her timing and agreement with Ljubicic’s sentiment fueled speculation that she was alluding to the Tsitsipas family dynamic, which has long drawn scrutiny for Apostolos’s intense involvement.
The tennis community has often viewed Apostolos as an overbearing figure, with fans and analysts pointing to moments of tension during matches. Badosa herself has previously navigated this dynamic, once humorously noting, “I am used to it. It’s part of the gig. It’s a daily thing for them. I just take a step back and prefer to stay away.” Her perspective, shaped by nearly two years of closeness with Tsitsipas’s family, suggests an awareness of the challenges he faces. This isn’t the first time Badosa has hinted at friction; during Wimbledon 2023, fans caught her giving Apostolos a “bombastic side eye” during Tsitsipas’s match against Andy Murray, a moment that sparked amusement and speculation about her feelings toward his father’s courtside presence.
Tsitsipas’s 2025 season has been marred by inconsistency and injury, with his ranking slipping to number 29 after a series of early exits, including a retirement at Wimbledon. His decision to part ways with coach Goran Ivanisevic, who criticized his preparation as “the most unprepared player” he’d seen, further highlighted his struggles. Badosa, too, has faced setbacks, with her back injury forcing withdrawals from key tournaments like the Washington DC Open. “I’m going through a really tough time,” she shared after her Wimbledon loss, emphasizing her resilience despite the pain. “Sometimes everything feels like a tunnel with no way out … but if I’ve always proven one thing, it’s that I never stop fighting.”
As both players prepare for the US Open, where Tsitsipas has hired Dimitris Chatzinikolaou as his new coach, the focus remains on their ability to rebound. Badosa’s comment, while subtle, underscores the personal and professional pressures that have defined their journeys. The end of “Tsitsidosa” and the lingering questions about Tsitsipas’s relationship with his father have cast a spotlight on the human side of tennis, where family dynamics and career demands often collide. For now, fans await further clarity, but Badosa’s cryptic nod has ensured that the Tsitsipas family saga remains a compelling subplot in the sport’s narrative.
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