Stefanos Tsitsipas wins in Cincinnati and admits to distancing himself from his father.

Stefanos Tsitsipas revealed a new phase in his career after securing a narrow victory in the first round of the Cincinnati Open against Valentin Royer, with scores of 7-6(4), 7-5. The Greek tennis player, who managed to avoid a first-round exit for the first time since 2018, advances to the second match, where he will face a formidable opponent, the second seed. The absence of his father and coach, Apostolos, seems to have brought him some relief, although this decision continues to generate internal conflicts, as Tsitsipas yearns for a healthy father-son relationship.

In the past two years, Tsitsipas has felt as though he has been suffering a series of disappointments, having fallen to positions around 80th in the world rankings. However, after a mini-rebirth, he managed to return to the top 50, although still far from his expectations. The Greek expressed satisfaction with the result in Cincinnati, stating: “I am working on some things, and it is very important for me to stay focused on what I am working on.” He emphasized the importance of making significant progress, mentioning that while results are important, it is crucial to change aspects that have been stagnant over the past two years.

Tsitsipas, who has worked with his father since his early days in tennis, decided in 2023 to try a new approach, keeping his father on the team while hiring Mark Philippoussis as head coach. However, that collaboration did not last long, and after a tumultuous period, Tsitsipas once again called his father back to his team. Nonetheless, tensions between them increased, leading the player to state that he needed a relationship based on family ties rather than a strictly professional dynamic.

“I would say that I am probably in a phase where I am making decisions and making my own choices. It’s a phase where I am evolving into a different version of myself,” said Tsitsipas. He acknowledges that for a long time he left many responsibilities in his father's hands, but now he feels it is time to decide who he wants by his side and what he wants to achieve. “I’m tired of that. I’m really looking for something different in my life.”

Despite the professional separation, Tsitsipas maintains a good relationship with his father. “Unfortunately, I can’t have him as my coach, although I would want to. I have a good team of people who have been with me, and I would like my father to continue being my father, something I hope he respects,” he stated. The tennis player, who has been a finalist in two Grand Slams, now faces a significant challenge in Ohio, where he is preparing to take on Felix Auger-Aliassime, an opponent who promises to be a considerable threat.