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Battling Horrendous Form, Coaching Woes Add More Trouble to Stefanos Tsitsipas as He Brings Back His Father in a Surprise Shanghai Masters Move

Published 10/04/2023, 5:37 AM EDT

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via Reuters

The coaching saga for Stefanos Tsitsipas is one for the ages. The Greek international, who is currently not in the best of forms, has always strived to be the best in the business. However, this has often included multiple changes in his coaching staff. After a disappointing run at the US Open and the China Open, the 25-year-old player has taken yet another decision.

In a recent revelation, he has decided to part ways with his coach while bringing his father back at the helm. However, the question that now arises is: Could this be a turning point in his career?

Stefanos Tsitsipas parts ways with Philippoussis, appointing his father as new coach

In a surprising move, Stefanos Tsitsipas has decided to bring his father back into his coaching staff, replacing Mark Philippoussis. The Greek tennis sensation initially experimented with coaching under Mark’s guidance, but he admitted it felt “off-tune” in many ways. In his words, “It was a little bit off-tune in many ways. Not having the presence of my dad felt like I was losing my identity as a player.”

To remedy this, the Greek tennis star has expressed his commitment to their partnership by bringing his father back to the coaching position.

via Imago

Speaking about his father, Stefanos said, “He has always been by my side digitally. He’s here to stay. I have no intention of ever changing my dad or pushing him away. People are always going to try and create rumors or try to destroy what you have with someone who is really close to you in any way or form.”

“Mark is not a part of the team. I wanted to try with a coach and wanted to see how that might work,” said the 25-year-old about his time with Philippoussis.

Thus, the decision taken by Tsitsipas to work with his dad once again reflects the confidence that the two have in each other. Currently playing in the Shanghai Masters, he would be looking to turn things around this time with a surprise.

Tsitsipas replaced his dad with Mark and now replaces Mark with his dad

Earlier this year, Tsitsipas announced that his father will no longer be his tennis coach.

This came after multiple reports suggested that there are growing tensions between the father-son duo with Tsitsiaps even smashing rackets in training near his dad. After this, he joined hands with Mark Philippoussis and thought that things would turn out well in his favor.

However, to everyone’s surprise, things did not go well with him either which persuaded Stefanos Tsitsipas to make the decision to go back to his father.

Thus, with yet another confusing decision by Setafanos Tsitsiaps, it will be interesting to see how things turn out this time for the Greek international. What are your thoughts on this? Please let us know in the comments below!

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Written by:

Akshat Gaur

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Akshat Gaur is a Tennis Writer at EssentiallySports. He completed his Bachelor’s degree in 2021 and has been writing since then. With over two years of experience in the world of sports journalism, specifically tennis journalism, Akshat is someone who is immensely passionate about covering the ATP and the WTA Tour.
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Edited by:

Aakash Nair