Tsitsipas replaces dad with new coach after spats noticed him ‘smack ball at workforce’
Stefanos Tsitsipas has introduced that his father Apostolos will now not be his head coach. The world No 4 will now be mentored by former professional Mark Philippoussis, who beforehand labored with the workforce on a trial foundation earlier this 12 months. It comes after on-and-off stress between Tsitsipas and his workforce, as he has beforehand smacked balls and smashed rackets close to his dad.
Tsitsipas’ workforce has acquired its largest shake-up to date in his skilled profession. The 24-year-old has formally changed his dad with former world No 8 Philippoussis, marking the primary time that Apostolos is not going to be the pinnacle honcho.
While his dad will nonetheless be concerned behind the scenes, the Greek star admitted that oldsters may get “emotional” at occasions and he wanted a former participant guiding him as a substitute. And the choice has already paid off, as Tsitsipas lifted his tenth profession title in Los Cabos on Sunday.
“I think there’s one thing that I did pay attention to between the dynamic, is there’s much more tranquillity and calmness in the air when I’m competing,” the world No 4 mentioned forward of the Canadian Open. “You know, parents can get emotional sometimes, and I completely understand that.
“I’m not a parent myself, but I can imagine how difficult it can be at times seeing your child give it their all and to be going through so much during a match.” Tsitsipas and his mother and father have beforehand drawn consideration for antics throughout his matches, with the 24-year-old kicking his mum Julia out of his box in Rome.
And throughout his defeat to Andrey Rublev at November’s ATP Final, he was seen smacking a ball within the course of his field after chatter from his household. Another notorious incident noticed him take a swipe within the course of Apostolos utilizing his racket on the 2020 ATP Cup earlier than his mom got here right down to scold him.
While Tsitsipas has already seen a change within the dynamic of his workforce, his dad will nonetheless be round. He continued: “My father right now, you know, I give him some time off. He hasn’t had time off since I’m 12 years old. So I think for him, I think it’s very healthy to take some time away from the court and feel refreshed again.
“And, of course, I love him and I want him to be part of that journey that we have built together, and he’s not going anywhere. He’s still with us, and he’s still there following our path and journey.”
Tsitsipas was tipped for achievement after his breakthrough in 2018 when he downed 4 top-10 gamers to succeed in the Canadian Open closing. Since then, he has reached two Major finals and are available inside one match of the No 1 rating however hasn’t been in a position to attain the top of the game and is now hoping the teaching change may be the distinction.
He added: “For me, it’s a time, you know, to keep exploring new things. And I’m open-minded and I want to learn as much as I can and, as I mentioned earlier, to maximize on my career because I have felt at times stagnant.
“I have felt, you know, it’s a constant repetitive procedure that I’m going after every single time, and I really want to get to a new level where it kind of delivers a breath of fresh air to me.”