Tsitsipas on dad's 'sustainable' coach function: We’ve each adjusted to our wants

Stefanos Tsitsipas

Tsitsipas on dad’s ‘sustainable’ coach function: We’ve each adjusted to our wants

Stefanos Tsitsipas says he and father Apostolos have struck the suitable work/life stability of their relationship

October 03, 2025

Stefanos Tsitsipas finds himself in unfamiliar territory heading into this yr’s Rolex Shanghai Masters.

Usually right now of the yr the previous No. 3 within the PIF ATP Rankings may be very a lot within the hunt for a berth on the Nitto ATP Finals, an occasion he gained on debut in 2019, and at which he certified 5 straight years by 2023.

After a close to miss final season, the Greek appears destined to once more sit out the season finale. He’s additionally been battling a again criticism and heads into the eighth ATP Masters 1000 event of the yr with a modest 22-18 file on the yr, in accordance with the Infosys ATP Win/Loss index.

Nonetheless, the information will not be all unhealthy. The 27-year-old is hopeful that latest remedy on his again will enable him to play extra freely, and he stated that his sometimes-rocky teaching relationship together with his father Apostolos is in a really well being place.

“We now have modified our dynamic very a lot and I am really very blissful the best way all of us cooperate and work collectively now,” Tsitsipas instructed ATPTour.com. “It is very refreshing as a participant to have this relationship with a father.

“It is precisely the place I wished it to be for a very long time now. And I am blissful. He has adjusted to my wants and I’ve adjusted to his wants. And we now have each created a sort of dynamic that’s one to be pleased with.”

Whereas open to including one other voice to his teaching staff, Tsitsipas stated that he has nice respect for his father’s years of expertise within the recreation.

“My dad has been on the tour for lots of years, even courting again to my mom’s taking part in days. So he has numerous tennis in his life,” he stated. “I am extraordinarily proud to name him my coach and my father. However to begin with, my father. Secondly, my coach.

“I undoubtedly see [our current coaching partnership] as one thing sustainable. I might have an interest sooner or later so as to add an individual in my staff that may collaborate and work with my dad. Clearly he isn’t getting youthful, so if I can discover the suitable individual, he might be by my dad’s aspect a little bit bit, with a transparent, brisker mindset.

“Which may additionally enable my dad to perhaps take a step again a little bit bit to additionally take pleasure in life as a result of it is not solely tennis. And I have been reminding him and telling him this for a really very long time.”

Tsitsipas’ resolve has been examined this yr. After 5 High 10 finishes between 2019-2023, and a No. 11 end final yr, the previous World No. 3 has slipped to No. 25 within the PIF ATP Rankings.

His targets for the ultimate weeks of the season – which embody taking part in the final week of the common season on dwelling soil in Athens – are measured.

“My focus could be a mixture of seeing what my again permits me to do now and reconnecting a little bit bit with the wins,” the two-time Grand Slam finalist stated. “High of my checklist proper now, I might undoubtedly prefer to see a number of matches in a row with out again ache.”

Tsitsipas dismissed studies that he had undergone again surgical procedure, saying {that a} hospital go to was just for “a particular kind of examination”.

“I gained’t go into particulars, however it’s one thing that did assist me rather a lot. I readjusted and stuck my again. So I am simply ready to see how that responds in matches and the way I can compete in a way more wholesome state.”

Tsitsipas, who has performed simply two Davis Cup matches [in Athens] for the reason that US Open, stated that he feels recent and recharged following trip time in Greece, the place he visited museums and historic websites such because the Athens Acropolis Museum, the Temple of Apollo and the Nationwide Gardens. He additionally practised 3 times with Novak Djokovic.

“Attending to know Novak in a deeper method was good as a result of on the Tour, you do not have that chance,” Tsitsipas stated. “And I spent numerous time connecting with my spirit in Greece. I really had a good time exploring my very own nation and doing issues I discovered spiritually fulfilling.

“I did undoubtedly want that break. I solely realised that after I was there. I spent numerous time with my little sister, my brother Petros, who I all the time see on the courtroom taking part in doubles with him. That’s one thing that I lack a little bit bit in my every day life, a little bit little bit of humanity, particularly while you’re continually burdened and chasing factors, tournaments, all that. It is necessary generally to take a break and reconnect together with your humanity.”

Tsitsipas, who defeated Djokovic in Shanghai in 2019 en path to his finest semi-final end on the occasion, opens his marketing campaign Saturday towards Portugal’s Nuno Borges.