'No hard feelings' - Goran Ivanisevic reacts to Stefanos Tsitsipas' explosive ‘dictator’ remark

The tennis world was abuzz this week after Stefanos Tsitsipas confirmed the end of his short-lived coaching partnership with Croatian legend Goran Ivanisevic.

The announcement came just days after a fiery exchange, indirect but unmistakable, between the two figures, with Tsitsipas describing his unnamed former coach as a "dictator" and Ivanisevic firing back to set the record straight: "I didn’t insult him.".

The split occurred in the wake of Tsitsipas’ early retirement at the 2025 Wimbledon Championships, where he exited in the first round due to an injury sustained during a match against Valentin Royer.

Ivanisevic, never one to mince words, had bluntly criticised his player’s preparation in a post-Wimbledon interview with Sport Klub, saying: "I’ve never seen a more unprepared player.".

The comment caused a stir, and while Tsitsipas didn’t mention Ivanisevic by name, he delivered a sharp counter in an interview with Greek outlet SDNA, published just before the announcement of the split. In it, the 12-time ATP title holder said:

"It is very difficult to have dictators and people who speak negatively and you don't feel like they are close to you like family. Being able to build a family out of this, people who will not only work with you in the tennis part but will also be your friends after your career, is something that I really want to build.".

The implication was clear, and Ivanisevic was quick to respond in his own interview with Croatian broadcaster HRT, where he attempted to clear the air and stressed that there was no bad blood between the two.

"We spoke yesterday, no hard feelings, we thanked each other. He decided to try again with his father, and honestly, I truly believe this – the only person who can coach him is his dad. He played his best tennis with him, his dad knows him best, this is a family project. It’s the best decision, I wish him all the best, he’s too good of a player to be where he is,"

HRT

Additionally, the Croatian coach went on to defend his earlier comments, stating that what he said was not meant as a personal attack but as a challenge to motivate Tsitsipas. He clarified:

"It was blown out of proportions, I didn’t insult him… I told him all of that, it’s not like I was saying it behind his back. Now it seems like you can’t say anything anymore. I said it honestly, to get a reaction. That’s how this generation is. Unfortunately, that’s how it is, everyone sees it.".

The 2001 Wimbledon champion also reiterated his belief in Tsitsipas’ talent, while also pointing out the mental and physical shortcomings he observed in London.

"He feels it too, and he knows. If you’re not mentally, physically, and emotionally ready. Especially mentally, to play for hours with the best, then you have no chance of playing tennis. He wasn’t mentally ready to play at Wimbledon, I hope he’ll find his path. I wish him all the best, we know the results he’s had, he hasn’t forgotten how to play tennis."

So far this season, Tsitsipas has compiled a modest 19-13 record on the ATP Tour and sits at World No. 29, a significant drop from his previous top-5 standing.

His reunion with father and long-time coach Apostolos Tsitsipas marks a return to familiarity, but also raises questions. The father-son duo have had public fallouts in the past, including a heated courtside exchange in 2024.

As the dust settles on a very public split, Tsitsipas will now attempt to rediscover his form with his father once again in his corner.

Whether this fresh start rekindles the fire that once saw him reach Grand Slam finals and peak at World No. 3 is still uncertain. Yet for now, both parties are parting ways with mutual respect, at least on the surface.