Two months. That’s all it took for one of tennis’s most intriguing coaching partnerships to fall apart.
Goran Ivanišević and Stefanos Tsitsipas have ended their collaboration, with the 2001 Wimbledon champion offering blunt insights into why their relationship couldn’t survive the pressure of elite tennis.
Why Did Ivanišević Call Out Tsitsipas So Publicly?
The Croatian coach didn’t back down from the controversy surrounding his harsh assessment of Tsitsipas’s preparation. Reports surfaced that Ivanišević had called the Greek player a “disaster” in terms of physical readiness, comments that sparked backlash across tennis circles.
However, Ivanišević defended his approach during his interview with Croatian broadcaster HRT. He insisted his words were delivered face-to-face, not as backstabbing criticism.
“It was blown out of proportions, I didn’t insult him. I told him all of that, it’s not like I was saying it behind his back. Now it seems like you can’t say anything anymore. I said it honestly, to get a reaction. That’s how this generation is. Unfortunately, that’s how it is, everyone sees it,” he told HRT.
The former Wimbledon champion believes tough love remains essential for player development. He explained that criticism serves as a catalyst for growth rather than destruction.
“He feels it too, and he knows. If you’re not mentally, physically, and emotionally ready, you have no chance. I hope he’ll find his path,” Ivanišević said. His goal was pushing Tsitsipas toward self-reflection and improvement, not personal attacks.
What Does Tsitsipas’s Return to His Father Mean?
Despite the public tension, both men ended their partnership without animosity. Ivanišević revealed they spoke directly about the split, maintaining professional respect throughout the process.
“We spoke yesterday, no hard feelings, we thanked each other,” he told HRT.
The Croatian coach actually endorsed Tsitsipas’s decision to reunite with his father, Apostolos Tsitsipas, as his primary coach. Ivanišević believes this family-based approach offers the best path forward for the struggling player.
“He decided to try again with his father, and honestly, I truly believe this: the only person who can coach him is his dad. He played his best tennis with him, his dad knows him best, this is a family project. It’s the best decision, I wish him all the best, he’s too good of a player to be where he is. And yesterday I told him again that nothing will change unless he sorts some things out in his head,” the Croatian said, supporting Tsitsipas’s decision to train again with his father.
Beyond technical instruction, Ivanišević emphasized that elite tennis demands complete mental preparation. He stressed that Tsitsipas must achieve readiness across all dimensions to compete with the world’s best players.
“Especially mentally, to play for hours with the best, then you have no chance of playing tennis. He wasn’t mentally ready to play at Wimbledon, I hope he’ll find his path. I wish him all the best, we know the results he’s had, he hasn’t forgotten how to play tennis.”
Goran Ivanišević spoke to HRT on the split with #Tsitsipas:
“We spoke yesterday, no hard feelings, we thanked each other. He decided to try again with his father, and honestly, I truly believe this – the only person who can coach him is his dad.
He played his best tennis…
— Saša Ozmo (@ozmo_sasa) July 24, 2025
The coaching change comes during a challenging period for Tsitsipas. His 2025 campaign has been marked by inconsistency and declining rankings. In June 2025, the Greek player dropped out of the top 20 for the first time since 2018, a significant fall from his previous elite status.
His season record stands at 19-13, with his lone title coming at the Dubai Tennis Championships. The most concerning moment arrived at Wimbledon, where he retired in the first round against qualifier Valentin Royer, trailing 6-3, 6-2 due to a back issue.
