When Stefanos Tsitsipas’ racquet went quiet in Montreal in the second round, a new drama began! “I prefer to keep my father in his role as a father, and only as a father,” the Greek player confirmed a day after criticizing his father’s coaching style. Now that the dust has settled, his girlfriend, Paula Badosa, has shared her candid reflections on the entire event!

During an interview with Tennis.com, Paula Badosa spilled the beans on how she was unaware of Tsitsipas’ decision to split with Apostolos, whom he re-hired last year. “I found out like you guys,” the former world No. 2 said with a laugh. Further, adding how she took it in stride, the Spaniard said, “Later on, I called him like, ‘Could you please, maybe before the press, let me know next time?’” 

Badosa, who is soon going to battle against Viktorija Golubic in the US Open first round, continued, “Look. I’m a very independent woman myself and I make my own decisions. Of course, we talk about everything, but in this situation, he wanted to do it on his own because it’s a very personal thing.”

Badosa empathized with Tsitsipas and understands the need for space as he addresses personal family matters. “It’s a family thing, so I don’t want to get involved with that. I have my opinion but I want him to make his own decisions and grow by himself,” said Badosa.

In June 2023, the couple confirmed their relationship and began joint Instagram account. The 26-year-old player’s motto is straightforward. “I just want him to fly, but if he falls, he knows I’m going to be there for him.” During one interview, she also spoke about how she handles the chaotic father-son duo on-court when she visits Tsitsipas’ matches. “I am used to it (laughs). It’s part of the gig. It’s a daily thing for them. I just take a step back and prefer to stay away.”

Tsitsipas wasted no time finding a new coach after his father’s departure. He quickly brought in Dimitris Chatzinikolaou, a familiar face from the Greek tennis scene, to oversee his training in Cincinnati. The last-minute partnership is expected to be long-lasting, with Chatzinikolaou also accompanying Tsitsipas to the US Open. In a different interview, Stefanos Tsitsipas shed a deeper light into his decision!

Tsitsipas reveals why he did not “advise” with Paula Badosa before changing his coach

While giving an interview at Cincinnati Masters, an interviewer asked Tsitsipas whether Paula Badosa had any say in his decision. The 26-year-old player quickly denied the claims and added, “This was entirely my decision, not influenced by anyone else, It was a difficult one to make, and I didn’t actually advise with her, which I guess would have been a normal thing to do when you’re in a relationship. I felt like it was something I had to maybe think throughout myself, and get it processed in my own mind and on my own terms.”

Surprisingly, this is the second time Paula Badosa’s boyfriend has gone through a split with his father, adding to their already complicated relationship. The last time it happened was in 2023, when Tsitsipas appointed Mark Philippoussis as his coach, only to bring his father back to his position two months later. But what will happen this time, and will Badosa get a hint of it? Stay tuned to find out!

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