There was controversy at the Madrid Open on Thursday during the first-round match between Stefanos Tsitsipas and Patrick Kypson. The Greek player was given a point penalty by chair umpire Marijana Veljovic after receiving a code violation.
Despite the penalty, Tsitsipas emerged victorious. He came from behind to earn a 3-6, 7-6(6), 7-6(4) win over Kypson and secured his place in the second round of the Madrid Open.
Stefanos Tsitsipas Handed Controversial Point Penalty at Madrid Open
At 2-2 (15-0) in the third set during his Madrid Open first-round match against Kypson, the chair umpire, frustrated by Tsitsipas’ father’s constant chatter, slapped him with a point penalty. The 27-year-old was given one code violation warning earlier in the match before losing the point. Veljovic claimed that the player’s father, Apostolos, who is also his coach, was speaking with him in between points.
After being handed the penalty, Tsitsipas headed towards the umpire and tried to appeal the decision. But Marijana Veljovic stood firm as tensions started to boil during what was a tense final set of the match.
“He talks to you between the points from the beginning until the end. If he talks to you during the whole duration in between two points, that’s just way too much. It’s against the rule. It’s not allowed as much as he does it… I had to do something about it,” Veljovic said to Tsitsipas.
“Does it bother my opponent? As far as I know, coaching is allowed,” Tsitsipas questioned as he continued his protest before ultimately accepting the penalty.
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This is not the first time Tsitsipas and his father have faced controversy with umpires, with the latter known for his loud coaching and aggressive behavior from the box.
One notable incident occurred at the 2019 US Open, when Tsitsipas was issued a code violation for his father’s intense coaching during a match. He also incurred similar code violations and fines by offering coaching advice at the 2022 Australian Open semifinals and at the 2022 Cincinnati Open.
The father-son duo also had a heated on-court exchange at the 2024 Canadian Open, where Tsitsipas suffered a shock defeat to Kei Nishikori. After that match, the two parted ways briefly.
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Tsitsipas has been coached by Apostolos for most of his career. The 58-year-old returned to his son’s box in July 2025.
Meanwhile, Tsitsipas will face Alexander Bublik in the second round of the Madrid Open. The 2019 Madrid Open finalist is in the midst of a difficult year on the court, having lost 9 of his 21 matches in 2026. He has also dropped to 80th in the ATP Rankings.
