“My father hasn’t been very smart” – Tsitsipas lashes out at coach after Nishikori loss
Stefanos Tsitsipas says he is “really disappointed” at father and coach Apostolos after his loss to Kei Nishikori
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All is not well in Stefanos Tsitsipas’ camp following his shock loss to Kei Nishikori on Thursday in Montreal, with the Greek lashing out at his coach and father, Apostolos Tsitsipas.
The pair have had a mercurial past, with Tsitsipas often berating his box on-court.
However, in his post-loss press conference, things hit a new low as the 25-year-old revealed his thoughts towards his father.
“I need and I deserve a coach that listens to me and hears my feedback as a player,” he began.
“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.
“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 coach is not the one holding a racket. 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 get stuck at that.”
Tsitsipas has fallen out of the top 10 this season for the first time in five years, and currently sits at No 11 in the world.
Three years ago I told my neighbor that Tsitsipas’ career would be ruined if he didn’t get away from his father. I didn’t know at the time that his mother was just as bad. He has now lost that three years of growth and accomplishment and gone backward. He could have been World #1 for an extended period if he had changed coaches that spring. But he chose the almighty Greek family over career. And he STILL isn’t sure he wants a change??? Career doesn’t always rank over family. But in this case…