The only person who can coach him is his father," Ivanisevic says on ending his collaboration with Tsitsipas
The partnership between Stefanos Tsitsipas and Goran Ivanisevic was short-lived.
The two began working together after the French Open, but the Greek player’s early exits (second round in Halle, first round at Wimbledon) and the 53-year-old former player’s comments brought an end to their collaboration, which concluded yesterday.
Speaking at the Umag tournament on Thursday, Ivanisevic gave his first reaction to Croatian media outlet HRT:
"We talked yesterday to end this chapter. We had a good conversation, no hard feelings. We thanked each other. He decided to try again with his father. I honestly believe the only person who can coach him is his father. He played his best tennis with him, he knows him best—it’s a family project.
This is the best decision, and I wish him all the best. He’s too good a player to be where he is right now. I told him yesterday that nothing will change unless he sorts things out in his head."
The former coach of Novak Djokovic also addressed his comments about Tsitsipas’s fitness:
"Everything was exaggerated, and I didn’t insult him… I told him everything directly. It’s not like I said it behind his back. Now, we’re not allowed to say anything anymore. I told him the truth honestly, so it would have an impact. But this generation is like that.
Unfortunately, it’s the truth, everyone sees it. He feels it himself and he knows it. He wasn’t mentally ready to play at Wimbledon. I hope he can find his way. We know the results he’s achieved, and he hasn’t forgotten how to play tennis.
