Stefanos Tsitsipas Navigates New Beginnings at Cincinnati Open 2024 After Coaching Split
Apostolos Tsitsipas, former world No. 3 Stefanos Tsitsipas finds himself in a critical position in his career after recently parting ways with his father and longtime coach.
The temporary coach Dimitris Chatzinikolaou and his girlfriend Paula Badosa have been supporting the former world No. 3 as he battled through his opening round at the Lindner Family Tennis Center.
At the Cincinnati Open, Tsitsipas persevered through a difficult first round match under interim coach Dimitris Chatzinikolaou, ultimately defeating Jan-Lennard Struff 4-6, 6-4, 6-3.
As he considers more long-term options, Tsitsipas was coaching his first game following the shocking announcement that he would replace his father Apostolos as head coach with childhood buddy Dimitris Chatzinikolaou.
Tsitsipas stated in Cincinnati’s mixed zone, “No changes are ever easy in this sport, whether that’s within the team or anything else.” When you pursue something, it’s never easy, and everyone has some doubts about some aspects of it. However, it’s critical to move forward and find the appropriate answers during these times. It’s also crucial, in my opinion, to maybe concentrate less on the surroundings and more on yourself as a player and your abilities.
When you surround yourself with the appropriate people, things work out and are tailored to your needs. It’s a huge comfort for your tennis game once you find these people since you can communicate so effectively. You possess the ability to synchronize in a way that enhances both your mental and tennis skills.
Having had the same developmental coach while growing up in Greece, Tsitsipas finds solace in Chatzinikolaou’s style. However, the 26-year-old acknowledged that he feels “at a crossroads” as he prepares to fight for Grand Slam titles against younger opponents like Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner, as well as Novak Djokovic.
The ninth-seeded Tsitsipas in Cincinnati said, “Items like this offer a massive change in your perspective and in the way you perceive tennis.” “All I really want is for everything to work out well and provide me the opportunity to succeed in the remaining years of my career.
He said, “I would say without a doubt that there are plenty of things within my game that can be improved.” “Obviously, I’m excited to work with the top players in this sport and to discover methods to work together, so please try your best to support me and my tennis as much as possible. All I really want to do in life is make the most of my work. to collaborate with the appropriate individuals who can mentor me and help me improve my game of tennis.”
In the interim, girlfriend and fellow player Paula Badosa has provided emotional support to the world No. 11, who concluded the day with a closely contested doubles defeat partnering competitor Holger Rune. While he was returning to Center Court, Badosa, a former world No. 2, won her initial match on the Grandstand close to him.
Tsitsipas, who will next take on Jack Draper on Thursday, said of her, “I’ve always spoken greatly of her because she’s been there in my toughest moments and she always was compassionate.” “She was a constant source of support during times like these.
He clarified, saying, “This was entirely my decision, not influenced by anyone else.” Making the decision was challenging, and although it would have been customary in a relationship, I didn’t really consult with her. I believed that I might need to consider it thoroughly and digest it on my own terms, in my own head.
Tsitsipas is 0-1 down in their head-to-head match after falling short in their lone prior encounter on Canadian hard courts in 2022 against the 22-year-old Brit.
Can the two-time Grand Slam runner-up maintain his upward trend in the lead-up to the US Open in 2024?
