By Erik Gudris |
@atntennis | Thursday, May 29, 2025
Photo credit: ROLEX/Antoine Couvercelle
For acclaimed tennis star Stefanos Tsitsipas, this summer heralds the opportunity for a major career revival, thanks to a fresh court surface and a new coach.
Following a disappointing exit at this year’s Roland-Garros, Tsitsipas is poised to join forces with the legendary former Wimbledon champion Goran Ivanisevic as he gears up for the grass court season.
At 53, Ivanisevic will step into Tsitsipas’ camp starting with the upcoming Halle Open in Germany, marking a promising trial phase. Tsitsipas’ father, Apostolos, who has been his coach recently, will no longer be part of the coaching setup, as reported by Greek media outlet SDNA.
Stefanos Tsitsipas will start working with Goran Ivanisevic next week.
https://t.co/HEXBWu3fCN
— Vicky Georgatou (@VGeorgatou) May 29, 2025
This afternoon, Tsitsipas officially announced the exciting coaching partnership, stating,
“Working with Goran is an exhilarating opportunity,” Tsitsipas expressed. “He’s an influential figure in tennis, both as a champion and a coach.”
“I have every confidence his vast experience will catalyze my growth, and I’m eagerly anticipating this journey together.”
Ivanisevic, known for his sharp tactical insights and straightforward coaching style, has previously guided Novak Djokovic and Marin Cilic to Grand Slam glory.
Notably regarded as one of the most formidable servers of his era, Ivanisevic was pivotal in reshaping Cilic’s serve, leading to his success at the US Open.
“Stefanos is a highly talented player with a remarkable work ethic,” Ivanisevic remarked. “He has demonstrated his capability to compete at the highest levels, and I’m thrilled to contribute to his next chapter.”
“My aim is to empower him to excel, enhancing the strong foundation he has already established.”
Tsitsipas, who has faced a challenging few months, is a former two-time major finalist and reached a career peak of World No. 3 back in 2021.
Despite reaching the quarterfinals at Monte-Carlo and Barcelona recently, Tsitsipas will find himself outside the world’s top 20 for the first time since 2018 after an early exit in Paris against Italian qualifier Matteo Gigante. He dropped to No. 26 in the ATP Live Rankings, marking his fourth consecutive second-round finish at a Grand Slam.
Earlier in Monte-Carlo, Tsitsipas had refrained from confirming Ivanisevic’s involvement with his team.
After the loss in Paris, Tsitsipas candidly addressed his struggles to rediscover his former winning streak.
“It feels like a continuous puzzle,” he stated. “I am ambitious and eager to demonstrate my best on the court. The dynamics have shifted significantly over the past couple of years, and I recognize I am in a completely different space now.”
Ivanisevic, who previously coached Novak Djokovic for over five years, recently concluded a brief coaching stint with WTA star and former Wimbledon champion Elena Rybakina.
While both of Tsitsipas’ parents have played crucial roles in his tennis development, there are concerns that their involvement may have hindered previous coaching collaborations, including one with former Wimbledon finalist Mark Philippoussis.
It remains to be seen how Hall of Famer Ivanisevic will navigate potential parental intervention, given his past decision to step away from Rybakina’s team when she announced plans to work with her former coach as a consultant.
Among the significant challenges Ivanisevic faces is rebuilding Tsitsipas’ confidence, addressing his backhand return issues, and encouraging him to leverage his all-court skills rather than relying heavily on his serve-and-forehand combination.
