Tsitsipas recently opened up about rehiring his father, Apostolos Tsitsipas, as his coach following a tumultuous period that saw him part ways with his father in August 2024. The Greek player had previously separated from Apostolos, under whose guidance he had won 11 ATP Tour-level titles.
What Did Stefanos Tsitsipas Say About Rehiring Father Apostolos as His Coach?
After their split, Tsitsipas briefly collaborated with Novak Djokovic’s former coach, Goran Ivanišević, following the 2025 French Open. However, their partnership lasted only two months, during which they worked together at the 2025 Halle Open and Wimbledon, before deciding to part ways. Tsitsipas then resumed his coaching relationship with his father.
Currently competing at the 2025 Cincinnati Open in Ohio, Tsitsipas began his campaign in the second round after receiving a first-round bye and secured a victory against Fábián Marozsán, winning 7-6(3), 6-2.
During a post-match interview with Tennis Channel’s Prakash Amritraj, Tsitsipas spoke candidly about renewing his partnership with his father, Apostolos, as his coach. He expressed that it was “great” to have his father back on his team despite all the “bad moments” and “miscommunications” they have faced in the past.
“It’s great having him back on the team…Obviously, a father-son relationship can also be complicated from time to time; I won’t deny that. We’ve had our good moments, bad moments, miscommunications…We’re not perfect. I’ve been very open with him, which I’ve never allowed myself to be that open and transparent with him,” Tsitsipas said.
The Greek player also credited his father with playing an important role in shaping his tennis career and developing him as a person.
“So, it is important for me to start developing that habit and become a better communicator. He’s allowed me to become the person I am today, not just a tennis player but the Stefanos I am today. So there are a lot of things that I owe to him,” he continued.
Beyond the personal relationship, Tsitsipas highlighted the professional qualities that make his father invaluable as a coach. The former World No. 3 noted that Apostolos’s “dedication and determination” inspires and motivates him to be a better version of himself.
“The dedication and determination of my father, I don’t think I’ve ever worked with a person who is so determined and willing to put hours and hours in court to have the right outcome. That is inspiring because it shows me that he’ll do anything for me to succeed or become the better version of myself,” he said.
Tsitsipas also revealed that he had missed seeing his father’s dedication while training him, describing how the renewed partnership brought clarity about what he truly needed.
“That fuels me up when I see a person like this who gives his soul and all of his energy for me to extract the most out of it. It just really gets to my heart. I won’t lie, I’ve missed it,” Tsitsipas added.
The current reunion isn’t their first attempt at reconciliation. Before their split in August 2024, Tsitsipas had parted ways with his father, Apostolos, in 2023. He had hired Mark Philippoussis but resumed his partnership with his father two months later.
Who Will Tsitsipas Face Next at the 2025 Cincinnati Open?
Following his win over Marozsán in the second round of the 2025 Cincinnati Open, Tsitsipas is set to face Benjamin Bonzi in the third round of the tournament.
Bonzi commenced his campaign at the ATP Masters 1000 hard court event in Ohio with a win against Matteo Arnaldi in the first round. The Frenchman secured his place in the third round by overcoming eighth seed Lorenzo Musetti 5-7, 6-4, 7-6(4).
Tsitsipas and Bonzi have met thrice on the ATP Tour, with the Greek emerging victorious in each encounter. Their most recent match took place in the second round of the 2023 Monte-Carlo Masters, where Tsitsipas won after the Frenchman retired during the first set, with the score at 4-1 retd.
The winner of the third round match between Tsitsipas and Bonzi will advance to face either 23rd seed Félix Auger-Aliassime or Arthur Rinderknech in the fourth round.
Additionally, Tsitsipas will compete in the doubles event alongside Luciano Darderi. The duo is set to face the eighth-seeded pair of Hugo Nys and Édouard Roger-Vasselin in the first round. The winner of this match will advance to play either the duo of Yuki Bhambri and Michael Venus or the team of Ben Shelton and Gabriel Diallo in the second round.
