Family Reunion? Apostolos returns to Tsitsipas’ box after public fallout

Defending Monte Carlo Masters champion Stefanos Tsitsipas had a familiar face back in his box during his opening match: his father Apostolos Tsitsipas. The Greek star overcame Australian Jordan Thompson in a hard-fought battle, winning 4-6, 6-4, 6-2 to secure a spot in the Round of 16.

Tsitsipas has triumphed in Monte Carlo in three of the last four editions and now faces the enormous task of defending the 1,000 points he earned from last year’s title, or else risk dropping out of the top 10 once again.

Apostolos coached his son for most of his career, until their professional relationship ended following the Canadian Open Masters 1000. That tournament saw Tsitsipas extend his slump with a straight-set loss to then-World No. 576 Kei Nishikori (6-4, 6-4). Tensions had been building in the months prior, and everything seemed to collapse when Tsitsipas yelled at his father mid-match and kicked him out of the box before the match concluded. Shortly after, the former World No. 3 announced that his father would no longer be part of his team.

Since then, Apostolos hadn’t been seen in his son's box—until now. It’s unclear whether he has officially resumed coaching duties or if he was simply watching as a spectator.

After a shaky 2024 season, Tsitsipas began to turn things around at the start of 2025. He had fallen out of the top 10 by mid-2024 and didn’t return until March of this year, eight months later, thanks to his title win at the ATP 500 Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships. However, he now risks another significant drop.

Tsitsipas entered this Monday as World No. 8, but with 1,000 points to defend in Monte Carlo, he could slide down several spots. He currently sits at No. 17 in the live rankings and is set to face Portugal’s Nuno Borges this Thursday, as he continues his campaign for an unprecedented fourth Monte Carlo title—something that would place him second only to Rafael Nadal’s historic 11 titles at the tournament.