Former Australian Open runner-up Marcos Baghdatis has
weighed in on the recent comments made by
Goran Ivanisevic about Stefanos
Tsitsipas. Tsitsipas and Ivanisevic has recently started working together and
their first test came at
Wimbledon.
That turned out to be a disaster as Tsitsipas was forced
to retire from the first-round contest against France’s Valentin Royer. It was
his 12th defeat in 31 matches this year. Following that result, Ivanisevic spoke to the Serbian media outlet Sport Klub where he criticised Tsitsipas
for his poor preparation.
“It’s both simple and not simple,” said Ivanisevic back
then. “I’ve spoken to him several times. If he resolves certain off-court
issues, he’ll have a chance to return to where he belongs, because he’s too
good to be outside the top 10. He says he wants to (return to the top level),
but he’s not doing anything. It’s always "I want, I want," but I
don’t see any progress. I was shocked; I’ve never seen a more unprepared
player in my life. With this knee, I’m three times fitter than him. It’s really
bad.”
Now, Baghdatis has spoken to
UBI Tennis, where he shared his
point of view about what Ivanisevic said about Tsitsipas. The 40-year-old was of the opinion that Ivanisevic said 99 per cent of the things were right. Baghdatis also
stated that the most important thing to consider here is how Tsitsipas can
return to his very best in the near future.
“I’m not saying what Goran said in his interviews is not
right,” said Baghdatis. “99 percent of what he said, I’m pretty sure he’s right
because I know Goran. I know he’s a great guy, he says things as they are and
as he sees them.” Baghdatis said of Ivanisevic. But me personally, if I were
coaching, I wouldn’t go out there and say this in the media. I would tell it to
the team and I would tell it to Stefanos himself. Then, if he doesn’t want to
listen, I would part ways and that’s it. I think he didn’t mean every word he
said. And I think he will find a way to bounce back. He’s [Tsitsipas] doubting
himself right now, which is normal when you’re lost. Maybe Goran’s way is the
way. I hope the way that Goran took things into his hands will help Stefanos
and it will shock Stefanos in a way to come back. What I want is to go around
to Stefanos to be back where he belongs and find the love of the game again.”