Andy Roddick shared his thoughts on seeing Novak Djokovic’s former coach, Goran Ivanišević, making his debut as Stefanos Tsitsipas’ coach at the 2025 Terra Wortmann Open in Halle.
Tsitsipas was previously coached by his father, Apostolos Tsitsipas, and later by Dimitris Chatzinikolaou. Last month, the Greek player announced that he had appointed Ivanišević as his new coach.
Roddick On Stefanos Tsitsipas Having Ivanišević As His Coach
Tsitsipas recently finished his clay court season, participating in the 2025 French Open, where he reached the second round before losing to Matteo Gigante. He has since begun his grass court season at the 2025 Terra Wortmann Open in Halle.
In the first round of the ATP 500 tournament, the former World No. 3 faced Luciano Darderi. He won the first set 6-4, but Darderi managed to turn things around and won the second set 6-3. However, Tsitsipas rebounded to win the third set, ultimately claiming the match with a scoreline of 6-4, 3-6, 7-6(5).
After the match, former World No. 1, Roddick, spoke on Tennis Channel and stated that Tsitsipas needed a change in coaching to better “focus” on his game. He mentioned that he saw several improvements in Tsitsipas’ performance since starting to work with Ivanišević.
“Stef needs a jolt of energy, a reason to focus. Obviously, when you have someone who has won Wimbledon in your corner, you’d be well served to listen. You could see Stef just playing with maybe a little bit of a different intensity, maybe more intentional, maybe less glances and the kind of questioning looks,” Tsitsipas said.
The former US Open champion remarked that Tsitsipas appeared “solid” during his match against Darderi.
“But he looked super solid today. Looked like he was leaning into the back end a little bit more, Darderi exposing him a little bit to take the second set. Listen, this is where Stef has struggled a little bit with these big points. Same deal today, except this, you can’t really control. It doesn’t matter who your coach is if the body is not working,” he continued.
Roddick expressed that the Greek has been looking “composed” and relaxed, rather than stressed, since beginning his partnership with Ivanišević.
“All in all, I liked what I saw from Stef today, mixing it up and coming in a little bit on the serve. He looks composed and doesn’t look stressed. This is a great move, a move that he had to make before, and I think this is gonna be a great partnership,” Tsitsipas added.
“Stef needs a jolt of energy, a reason to focus”
Andy Roddick and #TCLive talk Stefanos Tstisipas’ new partnership with Goran Ivanisevic pic.twitter.com/nrJbVSIbkK
— Tennis Channel (@TennisChannel) June 16, 2025
Who Will Stefanos Tsitsipas Face Next at Terra Wortmann Open 2025?
Following his victory over Darderi in the first round of the 2025 Terra Wortmann Open in Halle, Tsitsipas is set to face either Alex Michelsen or fifth seed Francisco Cerúndolo in the second round.
Tsitsipas and Michelsen have met twice on the ATP Tour, with the American emerging victorious in both encounters. Their most recent clash was in the first round of the 2025 Australian Open, where Michelsen triumphed with a scoreline of 7-5, 6-3, 2-6, 6-4.
On the other hand, Tsitsipas has a favorable record against Cerúndolo, having won both of their matchups on the ATP Tour. Their latest encounter took place in the third round of the 2024 Paris Masters, where the former World No. 3 secured a victory with a scoreline of 6-7(1), 6-4, 6-2. He then went in to advance to the quarterfinals, where he was defeated by the eventual champion, Alexander Zverev.
The winner of the second round match between Tsitsipas and either Michelsen or Cerúndolo at the 2025 Terra Wortmann Open will advance to face either third seed Daniil Medvedev or Quentin Halys in the quarterfinals.
