Moments after Stefanos Tsitsipas’ apology admission to father, girlfriend Paula Badosa shares cryptic reaction about role of tennis parents
Stefanos Tsitsipas recently made headlines by publicly apologizing to his father, Apostolos, for a heated exchange during his 2024 Canadian Open loss to Kei Nishikori, an incident he revisited in a recent SDNA interview. The Greek star, ranked No. 24, admitted to regretting his outburst, signaling a shift in his relationship with his father, who has long been his coach and a polarizing figure in his career. Moments later, his girlfriend, Paula Badosa, posted a cryptic response that has fueled speculation about her views on the role of tennis parents.
Badosa, the Spanish WTA star, reacted to a “note to parents” from Roger Federer’s former coach, Ivan Ljubicic, shared after Jannik Sinner’s Wimbledon 2025 win over Carlos Alcaraz. While her post didn’t directly name Tsitsipas or Apostolos, its timing—shortly after his apology—suggests a possible connection. Ljubicic’s note, interpreted as advice for parents to avoid over-involvement, aligns with past criticisms of Apostolos, who has been accused of being overbearing, notably during Tsitsipas’ 2025 Wimbledon retirement against Valentin Royer. Badosa’s cryptic message, lacking explicit detail, has been seen by some as an indirect commentary on this dynamic, especially given her own struggles with a chronic back injury and the couple’s reported professional pressures.
The couple’s relationship, dubbed “Tsitsidosa,” has faced turbulence, including a brief 2024 split and a recent rumored breakup after their Wimbledon first-round exits—Tsitsipas retiring and Badosa losing to Katie Boulter. Reports suggest their high-powered careers, compounded by injuries, have strained their bond, with their US Open mixed doubles withdrawal adding to speculation. Tsitsipas’ apology might reflect an attempt to mend family ties amid these challenges, while Badosa’s reaction could hint at her frustration with parental influence in tennis, a topic she’s navigated personally with her father, Josep, a supportive figure unlike Apostolos.
Posts found on X show mixed sentiment, with some viewing Badosa’s post as a subtle critique of Tsitsipas’ family dynamics, while others see it as a general stance on parental roles, supported by psychological perspectives. However, without direct confirmation from Badosa, the interpretation remains inconclusive. As both players focus on recovery—Badosa from her back issue and Tsitsipas from his—her cryptic reaction at 03:24 AM WAT on July 24, 2025, adds a layer of intrigue to their personal and professional narratives, leaving fans to ponder the deeper implications.
