Greek superstar Stefanos Tsitsipas has sensationally slammed his father after suffering a shock straight-sets defeat against Kei Nishikori in the second round of the Montreal Masters.
Nishikori, a former US Open runner-up in 2024, claimed his first top-10 victory in three years after suffering a gruesome run of injuries and setbacks.
Apostolos, Stefanos’ father, has coached his son since he could pick up a racquet. However, he was asked to leave the stadium mid-match by the former world No.3 - visibly frustrated.
“I need and I deserve a coach that listens to me and hears my feedback as a player,” Tsitsipas said after the loss.
“My father hasn't been very smart or very good at handling those situations, it's not the first time he has done that. I'm really disappointed at him. I really don't know right now if I'd consider any changes, but I'm really disappointed.
“The most important thing for a player is to have direct and good feedback from a coach. The coach is not the one holding a racket. The player is the one trying to execute a game plan. It's a collaborative work that you put in together. It has to be reciprocal in order for me to try to develop my tennis. It's something I don't want to get stuck at that."
The pair split briefly in 2022 when Aussie Mark Philippoussis stepped in to coach Tsitsipas before the relationship ended six months later, allowing Apostolos to return.
Now ranked 11 in the world, the two-time Grand Slam finalist is struggling to find consistency having only won two titles in the past two years.
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