Stefanos Tsitsipas parts ways with his father and coach ahead of Wimbledon.

A true bombshell has erupted in the world of tennis: Stefanos Tsitsipas has seemingly definitively severed his long professional ties with his father, Apostolos, just hours before the start of Wimbledon. The decision was confirmed by the athlete himself, who, on the eve of one of the most iconic tournaments on the circuit, chose to part ways with the coach who has always been his reference since his junior days. The former world number 3 is now preparing to embark on a new chapter, betting everything on a turnaround that will allow him to return to the top.

At 27 years old, Tsitsipas revealed that maintaining a stable relationship with his father has become “increasingly difficult” as he matures. In a recent interview with SDNA, the Greek tennis player explained: “The older I get, the harder it is for me to maintain a stable relationship with my father, compared to when I was a kid, at 18, 19, or 20 years old.” Tsitsipas further added: “I believe my father needs different things, just as I need different things. I felt it in the daily energy of our collaboration. We have reached a point where I am looking for something completely different.” This raw honesty clearly reflects the accumulated tension in this father-son relationship, which has been one of the secrets to the Greek’s success over the years.

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The impact of this separation goes far beyond the family circle. Tsitsipas is far from his glory days – he reached the top of the ATP rankings in 2021, but since then he has been plagued by a succession of disappointing results, inconsistent performances, and a sharp drop in the world rankings. This year, he has recorded only 16 wins and 14 losses, currently occupying a modest 87th place in the rankings, an unthinkable fall for someone who was once seen as one of the biggest prospects in tennis. The lack of consistency and media pressure seem to have weighed heavily, leading him to take control of his own sporting destiny.

To turn things around, Stefanos Tsitsipas has now committed to the guidance of Thomas Perrin, a French coach from Patrick Mouratoglou’s academy, with whom he has been working since he was 15. “Thomas has many years of high performance and has worked with various athletes. I will also have Patrick’s supervision – he will be present at some tournaments whenever possible. This is the solution until the end of the year,” explained Tsitsipas, expressing confidence in the new coaching team. Patrick Mouratoglou, former coach of Serena Williams, will thus play a role as an advisor, but the direct leadership will be in Perrin’s hands.

Despite this investment in a new structure, it is not the first time Tsitsipas has distanced himself from his father. Following a shocking defeat to Kei Nishikori at the 2024 Canada Open, the Greek had already made the decision to part ways with Apostolos, following a heated argument during the match. At that time, he briefly worked with Goran Ivanisevic but ultimately returned to the family circle. This time, however, Tsitsipas asserts that the split is definitive: “This is all very sensitive. It’s difficult because we spent many years together on the circuit, but, speaking now, I believe we will not work together again in the future. I want to start making my own decisions and decide for myself,” he stated, marking the end of an era.

The tense atmosphere within the Tsitsipas family has become increasingly noticeable in recent years. The exchanges between father and son during matches were frequent, with mother Julia Salnikova often getting involved in the discussions. This instability off the court has, at many moments, reflected in the Greek player’s performance, which seemed blocked and unable to meet his potential.

Next Monday, Tsitsipas will take to the court at Wimbledon against Frenchman Hugo Gaston. All eyes will be on the debut of this new chapter, with the question lingering: will this radical cut finally free the Greek tennis player to return to the big stages? Fans are divided, but one thing is certain – the pressure has never been greater, and Tsitsipas knows he is facing a unique opportunity to prove he can succeed without his father’s shadow. If he can regain his best form, this change could be seen as the decisive turning point in the Greek’s career. Otherwise, he risks sinking further into anonymity on the circuit, wasting the talent that the world saw shine not long ago. The next chapter of his career is already being written at SW19, and expectations are high.

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