What is the controversy with Stefanos Tsitsipas & his father Apostolos? All you need to know about the Greek's Canadian Open spat
Stefanos Tsitsipas was knocked out in the second round of the Canadian Open 2024 by Japanese veteran Kei Nishikori. The Greek star was the eighth seed at the event and expected to compete for the title. After his defeat, Tsitsipas took aim at his father and coach Apostolos Tsitsipas during his post-match interview.
Tsitsipas looked like a shadow of himself during his second-round defeat at the Canadian Open. The Greek star lost in straight sets 6-4, 6-4, and was seen arguing with his coaching staff throughout the match. Tsitsipas was unhappy with his father during the match and even reportedly asked him to leave mid-match. The Greek star has worked with Patrick Mourtoglou in the past, but his father has been an ever-present in his coaching team.
Talking about the incident after his defeat, Stefanos Tsitsipas claimed that he was unhappy with his forehand before starting the Canadian Open but his coaching staff ignored his problem. The Greek star admitted that he was disappointed by the lack of feedback provided by his father before and during his Canadian Open opener.
"I've already been complaining to my coach about it (not being able to perform with his forehand) for the last 4/5 days. That was also the reason why I had a confrontation with him during the match, I'm not used to it," Stefanos Tsitsipas said in his post-match press conference.
"For me an ATP Master 1000 match is an important match. I need and I deserve a coach that listens to me and hears my feedback as a player. My father hasn't been very smart or very good at handling those situations, it's not the first time he has done that. I'm really disappointed at him," he further added.
Stefanos Tsitsipas claimed he wanted a more understanding coach from whom he could receive positive feedback to develop his tennis. However, the Greek did not confirm whether he would split with his father.
"I really don't know right now if I'd consider any changes, but I'm really disappointed. The most important thing for a player is to have direct and good feedback from a coach. The player is the one trying to execute a game plan. It's a collaborative work that you put in together. It has to be reciprocal in order for me to try to develop my tennis. It's something I don't want to stagnant at." Tsitsipas concluded.
This first-round defeat continued Tsitsipas' poor season in 2024. The Greek star did win the Monte-Carlo Masters before the French Open but has failed to make an impact on the Grand Slam stage.
Stefanos Tsitsipas has had a lack-luster 2024 season
Winning the Monte-Carlo Masters has been the highlight of Tsitsipas' 2024 season but the Greek has struggled overall. The 25-year-old's best performance at a Grand Slam came in Paris at the French Open when he reached the quarterfinal.
Tsitsipas started off his season with a fourth-round defeat at the Australian Open. The 25-year-old lost to Taylor Fritz in four sets ending his campaign early. A good run of form at Monte Carlo and the Barcelona Open followed when Tsitsipas reached the final of both events, winning the former. However, Tsitsipas' Grand Slam misery continued at the French Open where he was ousted in the quarter-final by the eventual winner Carlos Alcaraz.
At Wimbledon, Tsitsipas was knocked out in the second round by Emil Ruusuvuori and the Greek star's poor form continued with a quarter-final exit at the hands of Novak Djokovic at the Olympic games in Paris.