“My father is no longer the solution”: Stefanos Tsitsipas confirms definitive split with Apostolos as coach
ATPSunday, 28 June 2026 at 18:00
Stefanos Tsitsipas has confirmed that his long-running coaching partnership with his father, Apostolos Tsitsipas, has come to a definitive end, with the former world No. 3 unveiling a new coaching structure ahead of Wimbledon as he searches for a fresh direction in his career.
The Greek, currently ranked world No. 88, arrives at the All England Club following another difficult stretch of results. His only grass-court warm-up ended in a first-round defeat to Ignacio Buse at the Mallorca Championships, continuing a challenging period that has seen him fail to progress beyond the second round of any Grand Slam main draw in his last eight appearances.
Seeking to reverse that trend, Tsitsipas announced that Thomas Perrin, a long-time coach within the Mouratoglou Academy's high-performance programme, will lead his team through the remainder of the season, while Patrick Mouratoglou will oversee the project and attend selected tournaments whenever his schedule allows.
The change comes ahead of a difficult Wimbledon campaign, where Tsitsipas opens against French qualifier Hugo Gaston. Should he progress, he could face Novak Djokovic in the second round, making his coaching transition immediately subject to a demanding competitive test.
“I want something completely different” from my career
Speaking to SDNA, Tsitsipas explained that the decision was driven by the evolution of his relationship with his father rather than any single incident, saying both had reached different stages in their personal and professional lives.
"As I get older, it becomes more difficult to maintain a stable relationship with my father compared to when I was 18, 19 or 20," Tsitsipas said. "I think my father needs different things, just as I do. I could feel it in the daily dynamic of our collaboration. I feel we've reached a point where I'm now looking for something completely different."
Stefanos Tsitsipas carefully picking out the perfect ball at the 2025 Rome Open
"Lately, having my father by my side has been comforting, but it is not the solution for taking the next step and doing something different in my career. Of course, I love him dearly and wish him the very best, but right now I'm thinking about myself and what's best for me."
The coaching change represents another attempt by Tsitsipas to reset his career after a prolonged decline in results. Once a Grand Slam finalist and ATP Finals champion, he now enters Wimbledon outside the world's top 80, looking to rebuild both confidence and consistency with a new coaching team.
"Right now I'm working with Thomas Perrin, who has been part of the Academy's high-performance programme for many years and has also worked with other athletes. In addition, Patrick Mouratoglou will supervise the project and will join us at some tournaments whenever his schedule allows.
"Thomas will be my coach over the coming weeks, while both of them will work together. The arrangement is until the end of the year, with the possibility of continuing afterwards."
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“We won't work together again”
Although Tsitsipas has previously separated professionally from his father before eventually reuniting with him, this time he indicated the decision should be viewed as permanent, explaining that he no longer sees their coaching relationship resuming in the future.
"I don't think he'll come back. All of this is very delicate. It's difficult because we've spent so many years travelling together on tour, but now that I think about it, I don't believe we'll work together again in the future."
"I want to start making my own decisions and deciding for myself. I think my father has so much to offer my younger siblings, who are promising players, and that's where he should focus. I have other ideas in mind that I don't think fit with the way we've been working together recently."
Tsitsipas also stressed that the appointment was built on a long-standing relationship with the Mouratoglou Academy rather than representing a completely new direction. The Greek has trained there since he was 15 years old and said the academy has remained a constant source of support throughout his career.
"Our relationship has always been close; we've never had any issues with the Academy. I've been there since I was 15, and they've supported me unconditionally. Through the Champ'Seed Foundation and everyone who helped fund my career from the beginning, the Academy has always stood by me. Since the start of my professional career, they have been with me every year."
Cristhián AvilaTennis Journalist
Cristhián Ávila is a tennis journalist based in Santiago, Chile, and has been part of the TennisUpToDate team since early 2023. He covers the ATP and WTA Tours as well as all four Grand Slams, producing breaking news, match reports, analysis, and regular liveblogs from major tournaments.
His reporting combines statistical analysis with clear explanation, helping readers understand tactical developments, player form, and broader storylines across the tour. Working fluently in both Spanish and English, Cristhián collaborates with an international editorial team and contributes to comprehensive global coverage. As part of his work, he has conducted interviews and media interactions with leading figures in the sport, including Caroline Wozniacki and John McEnroe.
In his journalism, Cristhián places strong emphasis on careful sourcing, editorial accuracy, and updating articles promptly when new, verified information becomes available. His coverage is grounded in research, context, and direct engagement with professional tennis.
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