Apostolos Tsitsipas, father and longtime coach of Stefanos Tsitsipas, broke his silence on his son’s recent personal and professional turmoil during a candid interview on September 6, 2025, at the ATP 500 China Open in Beijing. The World No. 12 Greek star, who split from girlfriend Paula Badosa in early August 2025 and parted ways with coach Goran Ivanisevic after a disastrous collaboration, has been navigating a challenging period. Apostolos, speaking to *Tennis.com* and *EssentiallySports*, emphasized family support while reflecting on the “difficult decisions” that have shaped Stefanos’s 2025 season, marked by a 28-18 record and no titles.
On the breakup with Badosa, the 27-year-old Spaniard and former World No. 2, Apostolos was measured, stating, “Relationships in our world are tough. Stefanos and Paula were great together, but sometimes you need space to grow individually.” The couple, who began dating in 2023 and went public at the Madrid Open, announced their split via Instagram, citing “mutual respect” amid Stefanos’s focus on tennis. Badosa, sidelined by a back injury, had reached the US Open quarterfinals before withdrawing due to illness, while Stefanos exited in the third round to Ben Shelton. Apostolos revealed the breakup was “amicable but painful,” adding, “He’s young; he’ll find balance again. Tennis is his priority now.” Fans on X speculated the split affected Stefanos’s form, with posts noting his emotional post-match tears at the US Open, but Apostolos dismissed this, saying, “Personal matters don’t define his talent.”
The “Goran Ivanisevic disaster,” as dubbed by *The Athletic*, refers to the short-lived partnership with the 2001 Wimbledon champion, hired in February 2025 after Stefanos’s split from his father’s primary coaching role. Ivanisevic, fresh from coaching Novak Djokovic to six Grand Slams, was brought in to refine Stefanos’s serve and mentality. However, the collaboration ended abruptly in July 2025 after Wimbledon, where Stefanos lost in the fourth round to Jordan Thompson. Apostolos, who resumed full coaching duties, called it a “learning experience gone wrong,” per *Yahoo Sports*. “Goran is a legend, but their styles clashed. Stefanos needs structure, not constant change.” Reports from *Tennis Majors* highlighted tensions, including Ivanisevic’s frustration with Stefanos’s emotional volatility during the French Open semifinals loss to Carlos Alcaraz. Apostolos admitted, “It was a mistake to bring in someone so tied to Novak’s success. We underestimated the adjustment.” Ivanisevic, now coaching Elena Rybakina until her recent split, has not commented publicly.
Apostolos’s remarks underscore a return to family-led guidance, with Stefanos crediting his father for a third-round win over qualifier Li Tu at the China Open on September 6, 2025. “Dad knows me best,” Stefanos told *ATP Tour*. Despite the setbacks—a career-high No. 3 ranking in 2023 now fallen to No. 12—Stefanos eyes the year-end ATP Finals, where he’s qualified via points. Apostolos concluded optimistically, “2025 was tough, but 2026 will be his comeback. He’s resilient.” The comments provide closure on the breakup and coaching saga, signaling Stefanos’s renewed focus amid ongoing scrutiny.
