In the high-pressure world of professional tennis, where personal and professional lines often blur, Stefanos Tsitsipas has faced a unique challenge: navigating a complex relationship with his father, Apostolos Tsitsipas, who served as his coach for over a decade. The Greek tennis star, a former World No. 3 and two-time Grand Slam finalist, recently opened up about the toxic dynamics that defined their player-coach partnership, culminating in a dramatic split in August 2024. Speaking on *The Changeover Podcast* with WTA star Daria Kasatkina, Tsitsipas shared candid insights into the emotional toll of their collaboration and the steps he’s taken to rebuild their bond as father and son, offering a glimpse into his evolving journey both on and off the court.
The breaking point came during the 2024 Montreal Masters, where Tsitsipas, visibly frustrated, publicly confronted his father after a straight-sets loss to Kei Nishikori. In a heated moment, the 26-year-old demanded Apostolos leave his coaching box, later criticizing his father’s approach in a press conference. “My father hasn’t been very smart or very good at handling those situations,” Tsitsipas said, his voice laced with disappointment. “I need and I deserve a coach that listens to me and hears my feedback as a player.” The outburst, born of mounting tension, led to the end of their professional partnership the next day. “It is with a heavy heart that I inform you that my collaboration with my father as a coach has come to an end,” Tsitsipas announced on social media, expressing regret for his harsh words but emphasizing the need to preserve their personal relationship. “I prefer to keep my father in his role as a father, and only as a father.”
The decision was not impulsive. Tsitsipas revealed that their professional dynamic had been strained for years, often making it “very difficult to have a natural father-son relationship.” The constant overlap of family and work created a toxic environment, with Tsitsipas feeling overwhelmed by his father’s intense involvement. “I had already felt on several occasions that need to move forward professionally without him,” he admitted, noting that the decision to part ways was, in part, “a way to save our relationship and build something healthy in the future.” His former physiotherapist, Jerome Bianchi, echoed this sentiment, describing their dynamic as “harmful” and unsustainable, with Tsitsipas’ mother, Julia Apostoli, often intervening to maintain Apostolos’ coaching role, citing his lifelong dedication. “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,’” Bianchi revealed, highlighting the guilt that weighed on Tsitsipas.
Since the split, Tsitsipas has embraced a fresh start under the guidance of Dimitris Chatzinikolaou, Greece’s Davis Cup captain. The collaboration has shown early promise, with Tsitsipas clinching his first ATP 500 title in Dubai in 2025 and reclaiming a top-10 ranking. “I feel like [Chatzinikolaou] is open-minded and listens,” Tsitsipas said, praising the mutual respect and adaptability that contrast sharply with his past coaching experience. His 2024 season, however, was a mixed bag, marked by a Monte Carlo Masters title but also early exits at Wimbledon and the US Open, leaving him outside the ATP Finals for the first time since 2018. Despite these setbacks, Tsitsipas remains optimistic, viewing the coaching change as a step toward rediscovering his form. “I’ve been feeling more in control of my own emotions, of how I want things to be,” he said, emphasizing the freedom a new dynamic has brought.
The personal toll of his past with Apostolos runs deep. Tsitsipas’ mother revealed on a Greek talk show that he faced bullying as a shy child, with tennis serving as his refuge. This vulnerability, coupled with the pressure of his parents’ expectations, shaped a complex dynamic. A 2024 Instagram post hinted at deeper wounds, as Tsitsipas shared a video about narcissistic parenting, suggesting lingering emotional scars. Yet, he insists on gratitude for his father’s sacrifices. “My father has been the core of my entire life, not only in tennis, but also in my day-to-day life,” he said, acknowledging Apostolos’ role in his rise to 12 ATP titles, including the 2019 ATP Finals. Apostolos continues to travel with Tsitsipas, offering support off the court, a shift that has allowed them to rebuild their bond.
As Tsitsipas prepares for the 2025 season, his focus is on mental and physical recovery, aiming to reclaim his place among tennis’s elite. His relationship with Paula Badosa, rekindled after a brief split in 2024, and the support of her father, Josep Badosa, whom Tsitsipas called his biggest supporter, add a positive dimension to his journey. “He keeps wearing ‘Team Tsitsipas’ everywhere he goes!” Tsitsipas said of Josep, smiling. With a new coach and a renewed perspective, Tsitsipas is determined to move forward, leaving behind the toxicity of the past while honoring the family ties that shaped him.
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