Stefanos Tsitsipas has reportedly already found a new coach just days after parting ways with his dad.
The Greek star hit out at his father and said he was “disappointed” after his shock loss in Montreal. He later apologised but announced that Apostolos would no longer be coaching him in a lengthy statement.
Tsitsipas has since been working with Greek Davis Cup captain Dimitris Hadjinikolaou. And their partnership will reportedly continue beyond the current Cincinnati Open.
The world No. 11 acted fast after confirming that his dad would stop coaching him. Arriving in Cincinnati for the upcoming Masters 1000 event, he was seen training under the watchful eye of Hadjinikolaou.
Tsitsipas already knows the coach well – he heads up Greece’s Davis Cup team and was in charge of the Olympic tennis squad in Paris. After leaving the Games, Hadjinikolaou headed home to Greece before being called in by the Tsitsipas camp.
It has now emerged that the last-minute link-up isn’t just a quick fix, as Hadjinikolaou is expected to stick with Tsitsipas. According to SDNA, he will also accompany the 26-year-old at the upcoming US Open.
Hadjinikolaou still has Davis Cup duties – he will then travel to Belgrade for the Greece vs Serbia World Group I tie. But the captain’s working relationship with Tsitsipas is said to have “no expiration date” and “is likely to continue beyond the US Open”.
It offers some stability to Tsitsipas after a turbulent week. Last Thursday he publicly slammed his father after losing to Kei Nishikori in his opening match at the Canadian Open. “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,” he said.
“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.” The following day, the world No. 11 expressed his regret at throwing Apostolos under the bus but announced their split.
It is with a heavy heart that I inform you that my collaboration with my father as a coach has come to an end. I prefer to keep my father in his role as a father, and only as a father,” Tsitsipas wrote in a lengthy, heartfelt statement.
“My father has been trying for the last few years to train me, raise me the right way and provide me with knowledge and wisdom, both on and off the court. I thank him for that. I thank him for the sacrifices, pain and suffering he has endured to make this endeavour a success. From now on, his role will remain within the confines of the father role, and that alone.”
