"Their way of operating is harmful": Details emerge of Stefanos Tsitsipas' toxic family coaching environment after split

Stefanos Tsitsipas split from his father as his coach last month with Apostolos finally leaving his side. Jerome Bianchi, a physiotherapist who previously worked on the Greek's team has called the way they operate as 'harmful'.

Tsitsipas split up with his father after tensions boiled over at the Canadian Open. The Greek was defeated by Kei Nishikori and after he told him to shut up, he launched into a scathing attack and then decided to stop their partnership suddenly.

Albeit it was criticised as Tsitsipas still travels with the team as was explained in the statement so his influence still remains of sorts.

“Their relationship has not been sustainable for years, their way of operating is harmful," said Bianchi to L'Equipe.

“Every time Stefanos wanted to break up with his father, his mother ran and said, ‘You can’t do this to him, he dedicated his life to you’. And he found himself feeling guilty.”

“He realises that he is getting on in age and that his career has not been what it should have been.”

“It is with a heavy heart that I inform you that my collaboration with my father as a coach has come to an end. I prefer to keep my father in his role as a father, and only as a father," wrote Tsitsipas in his statement last month.

“My father has been trying for the last few years to train me, raise me the right way and provide me with knowledge and wisdom, both on and off the field. I thank him for that. I thank him for the sacrifices, pain and suffering he has endured to make this endeavour a success.

“From now on, his role will remain within the confines of the father role, and that alone. My father will continue to travel with me and be there to support me and provide assistance off the field, as I have always wanted.

“I have trusted my father with the coaching role for so many years, and I consider our partnership to be successful.”