Stefanos
Tsitsipas shared insights about the sacrifices his father Apostolos made to
help him achieve success.
The Greek
player has been coached by his father since the age of three. Apostolos left
his job as a high school teacher to travel with Stefanos from the age of 11,
and has been his main coach ever since.
Although Apostolos
played tennis himself starting at the age of 20, he did not achieve significant
success and never earned an ATP point, which is in contrast to his son's
achievements. Stefanos reached world No. 3 in 2021, has reached two Grand Slam
finals, and has won multiple trophies.
Currently
ranked world No. 5,
Stefanos Tsitsipas discussed his father being his coach in
a conversation with Boris Becker on the podcast Das Gelbe vom Ball
"He is
everything to me," he replied. "He left his job for me when I was
twelve. He has evolved day by day, learning as much as possible - whether
online, through books or other means. He is down to earth and aware that he is
not perfect - like me. That brings me closer to him," Tsitsipas
said.
"And
he's not just any coach. He has the knowledge and has worked with professionals
before me. He knows what he is doing. He belongs by my side," 2019 ATP Finals
champion added.
Tsitsipas
is currently competing in the 2023 Halle Open, where he secured a victory in
the first round against French player Gregoire Barrere with a score of 6-7(6),
6-4, 7-6(3). In the second round, he will face Chilean player Nicolás Jarry,
who has won two ATP titles this year and holds a head-to-head record of 1-1
against Tsitsipas. Jarry won their only meeting on grass at the 2019
's-Hertogenbosch, while Tsitsipas defeated him at this year's Monte-Carlo.