“Find the love of the game again”: Marcos Baghdatis gives advice to Stefanos Tsitsipas after heavy criticism from coach Goran Ivanisevic

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.”