'A truly valuable chapter in my journey': Stefanos Tsitsipas parts ways with coach Goran Ivanisevic after short stint

Stefanos Tsitsipas surprised many by announcing the end of his coaching relationship with Goran Ivanisevic, after just a month and a half of working together. Novak Djokovic's former coach joined the Greek's team at the start of the grass-court swing, though without very good results.

In their first tournament together at the Terra Wortmann Open, Tsitsipas debuted with a tight victory over Luciano Darderi in a third-set tie-break (6-4, 3-6, 7-6(5)), only to be eliminated in the second round by Alex Michelsen.

The former world No. 3 had aimed for Wimbledon as a major objective, but an injury forced him to retire while facing Frenchman Valentin Royer, who held a two-set advantage (6-3, 6-2) before Tsitsipas withdrew.

Since then, Tsitsipas has been off the courts, recovering from the injury and training to return stronger for his next challenges. The former ATP Finals champion is expected to return next week at the Canadian Open, where he will be the 23rd seed.

Crisis deepens: Tsitsipas struggles with form and coaching instability

The Greek is going through a complicated period, currently ranked world No. 30 and No. 24 in the Race rankings. Having been out of the spotlight for some time, Tsitsipas will now have to find a new coach to help him recover his level. However, his physical condition remains another pending issue, something Ivanisevic himself criticized.

Amidst the Greek's performance crisis, more bad news arrives, extending the instability within his team. Tsitsipas issued a statement on social media announcing the termination of his association with the former Wimbledon champion coach.

"Working with Goran Ivanisevic was a brief but intense experience and a truly valuable chapter in my journey," the former world No. 3 Greek began his statement. "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," Tsitsipas said. "I wish him nothing but the very best moving forward."

Ivanisevic's blunt criticism: "Never seen a more unprepared player"

Just days after they began working together, the Croatian coach was clearly unhappy with his charge's physical condition. He publicly criticized Tsitsipas's fitness, asserting that results wouldn't come quickly after joining his team. "Right now, I can't say he's in his best physical and tennis shape. He’s a player who belongs in the Top 5—based on potential, results, everything," the former Novak Djokovic coach assured.

"I'm not Harry Potter—I can't just wave a wand and change everything from one day to the next. But if he works and we build the right cooperation, the results will come—with or without me."

Indeed, the early exit against Royer hit Tsitsipas hard, and he appears to be in the worst moment of his career. He hasn't been ranked outside the top 25 since August 2018, when the Greek was just a developing 19-year-old player. Precisely on his 20th birthday—August 12—he first broke into the top 15, remaining there until April of this year, almost seven years among the top 15 and most of them in the top 10.

"It's both simple and not simple," Ivanisevic had said just days earlier. "I've spoken to him several times. If he resolves certain off-court issues, he'll have a chance to return to where he belongs, because he's too good to be outside the top 10. He says he wants to (return to the top level), but he’s not doing anything. It’s always 'I want, I want,' but I don’t see any progress. I was shocked; I’ve never seen a more unprepared player in my life. With this knee, I’m three times fitter than him. It’s really bad."