Stefanos Tsitsipas parts ways with Goran Ivanisevic, says he made a ‘big mistake’ and apologises to new coach

Tsitsipas parted ways with his father as coach last year after a heated moment during the Canadian Open. He asked Apostolos to leave his player box and later expressed his disappointment in the post-match press conference.

Tsitsipas has now addressed that incident, apologising and expressing hope for a better working relationship going forward.

“We discussed it, from my side, I had to apologise because it was a big mistake on my part,” he told SDNA.

“We have found a new line of communication and a way to talk to each other, so that such things don’t happen again and such tensions don’t arise again.

“I love my father with all my heart, and what he has done in recent years is truly exciting. He has helped me in my difficult moments, in my most successful and good moments; my family has always been there. I don’t want to be separated from them.

“Tensions may arise again, in the sense that I may feel burdened again, but the relationship I have with my father I will not find anywhere else.”

The world number 29 also spoke about what he values in a coaching setup, highlighting team member Fred Lefevre as someone he hopes will stay involved long-term.

“When I work with the right people, with people that I choose and make me feel comfortable, there is a mood.

“Comfortable doesn’t mean that I stop training whenever I want or that I tell you how much exercise I want to do; they are the ones who have a common line, who know how hard we work and what we want to achieve through the work we put in but also maintain a friendly atmosphere throughout it all.

“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.

“My trainer Fred [Lefevre], I plan on having for the rest of my life. He’s not just someone who will be by me for ten years; he’s already considered family.”

With his coaching situation now sorted out, Tsitsipas can turn his attention back to his play as he heads into North American tournaments.

Stefanos Tsitsipas returns to the Canadian Open with father back in his corner

Tsitsipas and his father are set to reunite in Toronto, a year after their falling out in Montreal.

The Greek star has history at the event, reaching the final in 2018, and this year’s field is thinner than usual due to several big-name withdrawals.

Big-name withdrawals from the Canadian Open

• Jannik Sinner
• Carlos Alcaraz
• Jack Draper
• Novak Djokovic
• Tommy Paul

However, recent form isn’t on his side. Tsitsipas has exited in the second round on each of his last three trips to Canada.

Whether he can turn things around remains to be seen, but the action gets underway on Monday, July 28.