The Stefanos Tsitsipas and Goran Ivanisevic collaboration was brief, but it was quite explosive in terms of statements as they have left the tennis community with a lot of interesting quotes.
The pair only started working together in April this year and Ivanisevic’s appointment as the Greek’s head coach was confirmed in May on the back of some poor performances and an early exit from the French Open.
They had hoped that Tsitispas would make a swift return to form during the grass-court season, but there was no quick fix as he lost in the second round of the Halle Open.
He then succumbed to injury in his first-round match at Wimbledon as he was forced to retire after going two sets down to qualifier Valentin Royer.
They certainly aired their dirty laundry in public after the grass-court Grand Slam and it wasn’t a big surprise when they decided to go their separate ways not long after with Tsitsipas confirming the news on social media.
Although there are “no hard feelings”, Ivanisevic has issued a parting shot.
In an interview with HRT that was translated by journalist Saša Ozmo, he stated: “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.
“And yesterday I told him again that nothing will change unless he sorts some things out in his head.”
His controversial approach drew criticism from the likes of renowned coach Patrick Mouratoglou and former player Marcos Baghdatis, but the former world No 3 is sticking to his guns.
“It was blown out of proportion, 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,” he added.
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But before Ivanisevic’s latest salvo, the pair has left a lot of soundbites.
Let’s start with Tsitsipas on his previous coach Dimitris Chatzinikolaou as it gives insight into their relationship.
“It’s a very honest relationship. There are no filters with Dimitris. I feel like we talk to each other openly and freely, and we can communicate excellently, and I think that’s what makes a good team when I can just communicate with him in the best possible ways,” the Greek said in March.
“I can just talk to him and be precise about how I feel and what I can improve, things that we can consider for the future.
“I feel like he’s very open-minded, like he listens. I have had a few coaches that, you know, I don’t feel like they are as open-minded and adjusting as fast.”
The Greek announced Ivanisevic as his new coach after the French Open in what both hoped marked the start of a successful partnership.
“Working with Goran is an exciting opportunity for me. He is someone who has reached the highest levels of tennis, both as a player and as a coach. I am confident that his experience will help me grow further and I am really looking forward to that.”
2001 Wimbledon winner Ivanisevic said: “Stefanos is a very talented tennis player with a strong work ethic. He has shown that he belongs among the best, and I’m happy to be part of the next steps of his journey. My goal is to enable him to thrive, building on the strong foundation he has already laid.”
In June, Tsitsipas spoke about his “toxic” relationship with his father Apostolos, who coached him until August 2024.
Tsitsipas said: “It reached a point before where tennis got too much in the way. And, as bad as it sounds, I think it became even toxic in a way because I felt like he was constantly hunting.
“It reached the point where he was hunting more than me and that’s where the pressure kicks in. That’s where I feel the toxicity of it all.
“Our relationship has actually gotten better over the last couple of months. It was very hard and difficult in the beginning when we split.”
The former world No 3 had made it clear that he prefers honesty in a working relationship and Ivanisevic certainly went down that road, but it was the first time he publicly criticised the Greek as he delivered his Harry Potter quote.
Ivanisevic stated: “The main priority was finding a racket; he has tried 12 rackets and has already decided which model he will play with.
“Right now, I cannot say that he is in his best tennis and physical condition. He is a player who should be in the top five in the world, in terms of potential, results, and everything else.
“I am not Harry Potter, and I will not change everything overnight with a wand. But, of course, if he works and there is cooperation as there should be, the results will come, both with me and without me. He is too good a player to be where he is, to play the way he is playing at the moment.”
Tsitsipas was still optimistic about the partnership ahead of Wimbledon as he opened up about Ivanisevic being “strict”.
The Greek stated: “I’m at a stage of my life and my career where I want something refreshing, I want something new, I want something exciting, I want something that has a different language to it, a different language programmed.
“One of truth, one of honesty, and one of even, you know what… I’d say Goran is strict on me and he’s very tough on me. Any other player would probably freak out and be like, ‘How the heck is he allowed to talk to me like that?’ You know? Get it kind of personal. But I need this, because I need the truth and I need to have someone that’s tough with me.”
He also admitted that “I’m currently working with one of the best servers that tennis has ever seen. And if he can’t help me, probably no one can help me.”
But Tsitsipas’ Wimbledon campaign ended after only two sets due to injury and Ivanisevic then expressed his frustration during an interview.
The Croatian said: “He wants to, but he doesn’t do anything. All ‘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 more prepared than him. This is really bad.”
And he then doubled down in another interview as he delivered his “inflated ego”comment.
Ivnaisevic said: “Well, it affected him a little because every tennis player, every athlete, when their ego gets a little inflated, doesn’t like criticism.
“Anyway, I told him: tennis is an individual sport. To play on the court, you have to be physically and mentally prepared. He wasn’t mentally or physically prepared at Wimbledon.
“Back problems, a million problems. So it’s a long road, there’s no magic wand, no magic tricks, you have to work. He’s too good a player to be where he is.”
And Tsitsipas’ reply was quite telling as he dropped a “dictator” quote.
The world No 29 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.”
Not long after came the press release that the pair had parted ways after their “intense” partnership.
In an Instagram Story, Tsitsipas said: “Working with Goran Ivanisevic was a brief but intense experience and a truly valuable chapter in my journey. I’m thankful for the time, effort, and energy he dedicated to me and my team.”
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