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Stefanos Tsitsipas criticizes father following defeat at National Bank Open
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    Stefanos Tsitsipas criticizes father following defeat at National Bank Open

    There was some tension on the court in Montreal as Stefanos Tsitsipas bowed out of the National Bank Open earlier than expected.

    The No. 8 seed and world No. 11 was upset by Kei Nishikori in his first match at the tournament on Thursday. The Japanese player, currently ranked No. 576 in the ATP rankings, earned his first top-20 win since 2021.

    Unfortunately for Tsitsipas, it was another tough performance in his first match since Paris 2024, which led to a tense moment with his coach and father, Apostolos.

    In the first set, Tsitsipas stopped the match and, in frustration, asked his father to leave the court, which he eventually did.

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    After the match, Tsitsipas admitted that he might think about a potential change at coach that will help him grow and develop more as a player. He also noted that he has voiced complaints about his inability to perform with his forehand but felt those issues were ignored.

    “For me, an ATP Masters 1000 match is an important match. I need and deserve a coach that listens to me and hears my feedback as a player,” Tsitsipas said. “My father hasn’t been very smart or very good at handling those situations, it’s not the first time he has done that. I’m really disappointed at him.

    “I really don’t know right now if I’d consider any changes, but I’m really disappointed. The most important thing for a player is to have direct and good feedback from a coach. The coach is not the one holding a racquet. The player is the one trying to execute a game plan.”

    This isn’t the first time that Tsitsipas has shown his frustration with his father/coach. During the French Open he told his father to “shut up,” as he was trying to offer him advice during the match.

    Tsitsipas has been coached by his father since at least 2001.

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    Greek tennis star Stefanos Tsitsipas recently made headlines after publicly criticizing his father following a disappointing defeat at the National Bank Open in Toronto. The 23-year-old player, who is currently ranked No. 3 in the world, lost to American player Reilly Opelka in the third round of the tournament.

    In a post-match press conference, Tsitsipas did not hold back in expressing his frustration with his father and coach, Apostolos Tsitsipas. He accused his father of not providing him with the necessary support and guidance during the match, and suggested that their relationship may be hindering his performance on the court.

    This public criticism of his father is a rare move for Tsitsipas, who is known for being close to his family and often credits them for his success in tennis. However, it seems that the pressure of competing at the highest level has taken its toll on their relationship, and Tsitsipas felt compelled to speak out about his frustrations.

    Many fans and analysts have speculated about the impact that this public criticism may have on Tsitsipas’ career moving forward. Some believe that it could be a turning point for him, as he may now be more willing to make changes to his coaching setup in order to improve his performance on the court.

    Others worry that this rift between Tsitsipas and his father could have negative consequences for his mental and emotional well-being, as family dynamics can play a significant role in an athlete’s success and overall happiness.

    Regardless of the outcome, it is clear that Tsitsipas is facing a challenging time in his career and personal life. It remains to be seen how he will navigate this difficult situation and whether he will be able to bounce back from this defeat at the National Bank Open.