Tsitsipas confirms split with coach Ivanišević after 'intense experience'

(Getty/Tim Clayton)

The enigmatic player-coach relationship between Stefanos Tsitsipas and Goran Ivanišević has come to an end after a "brief" collaboration.

They began working together at the beginning of the grass court swing last month, with Ivaniševiċ arriving in the hope of implementing his success with Novak Djokovic to the Greek talent.

But Ivanišević, who isn't afraid to speak his mind, sent shockwaves after sharing his brutal assessment of Tsitsipas' mentality.

"He wants, but he doesn't do anything. All 'I want, I want', but I don't see that progress. I was shocked. I have never seen a more unprepared player in my life. With this knee, I am three times more fit than him. This is really bad," the 2001 Wimbledon champion told Sportklub.

"It's simple and it's not simple. I've talked to him a lot of times. If he solves some things outside of tennis, then he has a chance and he'll return to where he belongs, because he's too good a player to be out of the top-10."

Three weeks after those controversial comments, Tsitsipas confirmed the pair's split via Instagram.

"Working with Goran was a brief but intense experience and a truly valuable chapter in my journey," the two-time Slam finalist wrote.

"I'm thankful for the time, effort and energy he dedicated to me and my team. As we are now following our separate ways, I have only respect for Goran — not just for what he's achieved in tennis, but also for who he is as a person.

"I wish him nothing but the very best moving forward."

Tsitsipas retired mid-match during his first-round encounter at Wimbledon due to an ongoing back injury.

In May, he dropped out of the world's top-20 for the first time since 2018.

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