Stefanos Tsitsipas has once again made his father a key figure in his coaching team and hints that this time it could be for the rest of his career.
The world No.5 has made adjustments to his team in recent months by bringing Mark Philippoussis back into his camp as his coach during the summer. The idea was that Philippoussis would share coaching duties with Tsitsipas’ father, Apostolos, and accommodate the tennis player to certain events. However, their collaboration ended shortly after the US Open when Tsitsipas suffered a shock second round exit. It was the second time the two had worked together.
Speaking to Tennis TV, the 25-year-old has admitted that he struggled to get used to Philippoussis’ coaching style and felt he was ‘losing his identity’ as a tennis player due to his father’s absence. The former world No.4 is yet to comment on Tsitsipas’ remarks.
“Mark Philippoussis is not part of the team anymore. I wanted to try with a coach and I wanted to see how that might work,” he said.
“It was a little bit off-tune in many ways and not having the prescient of my dad there sort of felt like I was losing part of my identity as a player. I wasn’t able to adjust to the new form or ways or teaching or methods that were applied by Mark, who I admire and liked watching a lot on TV when I was younger.”
Now in charge of his son’s career yet again, Apostolos is hoping to return him to the winner’s circle. Since claiming the Los Cabos Open trophy in August, Tsitsipas has failed to win back-to-back matches at four consecutive tournaments. His latest defeat was to Nicola Jarry at the China Open.
“My dad has always been next to me. Even when he was not there and people didn’t see him he was always there by my side digitally,” the Greek said.
“He’s here to stay. I have no intention of ever changing my dad or pushing him away. People are always going to try and create rumours or try and destroy what you have with someone that is really close to you in any way or form. He’s someone that cannot be excluded.”
Tsitsipas addresses his current coaching setup ahead of the Shanghai Masters where he is the fourth seed. Granted a bye in the first round, he will begin his campaign against either qualifier Rinky Hijikata or Serbia’s Laslo Djere.
