Stefanos Tsitsipas: Ended Collaboration with His Father, Apostolos – “When I Feel Disrespected, I Tend to Lose Control”

Stefanos Tsitsipas, in a lengthy announcement on social media, acknowledged his inappropriate behavior at the Montreal tournament where he verbally abused his father, demanding that he leave the court. However, he also announced the end of their… tennis collaboration.

Stefanos expresses shock at his own reaction, shields his father, and acknowledges how he has been raised, but as he specifically mentions: “… his role will remain within the boundaries of a paternal role, and nothing more.” He adds that while his father may no longer continue as his coach, he will still accompany him on his travels around the world to support him off the court.

The full announcement from Tsitsipas is as follows:

“I inform you with a heavy heart that my collaboration with my father as my coach has come to an end. I prefer to keep my father in the role of being a father, and only a father.”

Σας ενημερώνω με βαριά καρδιά ότι η συνεργασία μου με τον πατέρα μου ως προπονητής έχει φτάσει στο τέλος της. Προτιμώ να κρατήσω τον πατέρα μου στον ρόλο του ως πατέρας, και μόνο ως πατέρας.

Η φιλοσοφία μας διδάσκει ότι η σοφία έρχεται μέσα από την κατανόηση των ορίων μας και…

— Stefanos Tsitsipas (@steftsitsipas) August 9, 2024

Image of Stefanos Tsitsipas asking his father to leave the stadium:

“Our philosophy teaches us that wisdom comes from understanding our limits and recognizing our mistakes. In my case, I realized that I was wrong to speak to my father the way I did. Tennis is not just a match, a stroke, or a performance lasting a few seconds. It is a long journey filled with emotions, pressure, and expectations. At that moment of disappointment, there were many mistakes and errors on the part of my coach and father. As an introvert, I tend to keep my feelings bottled up until they reach a breaking point. I consider myself patient, so the fact that I reacted in this way left me shocked.”

“My behavior on the court was unacceptable, and I am disappointed that I reached a point where a dark side of me was shown. When I feel disrespected, judged, or emotionally attacked, I tend to lose control of what comes out of my mouth, which contradicts my values as a person. I lost control and couldn’t see clearly.”

Video of an intense game in May 2024 with multiple exchanges between Tsitsipas and his father:

“My father has been trying over the past years to educate me, raise me the right way, and provide me with knowledge and wisdom, both on and off the court. I thank him for that. I thank him for the sacrifices, pain, and hardship he has endured to make this effort a success. From now on, his role will remain within the boundaries of the paternal role, and nothing more.”

“My father will continue to travel with me and be there to support and assist off the court, just as I have always wanted.”

“I have entrusted my father with the coaching role for so many years, and I consider our collaboration successful. I’m not sure who will take his place, and I’m not in a position to decide yet.”

Image (above) of an angry Tsitsipas throwing a ball and his father being upset during a match in June 2023:

“What I do know is that it is time to let this chapter and this phase close, and to try to write a new one.”

“We have both agreed on this, and we hope to focus first on our human side, and then on everything else.”

Image of Stefanos Tsitsipas accidentally hitting his father and getting scolded by his mother during a 2020 match:

“The acceptance of my mistakes and the effort to correct my path is part of my journey as an athlete, and I assure you that I will continue to work hard to improve myself, both on and off the court. I hope this experience will be a lesson for me, but also for everyone struggling to find the right balance in their lives.”

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