“Just because you were a good tennis player…”: Stefanos Tsitsipas launches fiery dig at coach Goran Ivanisevic after their fallout

Stefanos Tsitsipas is back in the spotlight, and this time it has little to do with forehands or rankings. The former world No. 3 has opened up about his short partnership with Goran Ivanisevic, and his comments in Dubai have quickly sparked conversation across tennis circles. For fans who watched the coaching experiment unravel in real time, the latest remarks feel like a closing chapter or perhaps one final word. Tsitsipas had turned to Ivanisevic after a difficult 2025 clay season that ended with a shock second-round exit at the French Open to world No. 167 Matteo Gigante. He needed change. Ivanisevic, a former Wimbledon champion who spent six years working with Novak Djokovic and was part of nine Grand Slam wins, seemed like the ideal solution. On paper, it looked like a bold and smart move. In reality, the partnership lasted only two grass-court events.

Stefanos Tsitsipas reflects on coaching decisions

The tension became public after Tsitsipas exited Halle in the round of 16 and then retired two sets down to Valentin Royer in the first round of Wimbledon. Ivanisevic did not hold back, calling the Greek “the most unprepared player” he had ever seen. The comment made headlines across the ATP Tour and added fuel to speculation that the relationship was strained. Speaking in Dubai this week, Tsitsipas addressed the situation without naming Ivanisevic directly. But the message was clear. Reflecting on the changes to his team, he admitted, "When new faces were added to the team, it created more confusion than clarity. I regret some decisions I made based on other people’s past successes. I’ve learned that just because you were a good tennis player doesn’t mean you’ll be a good coach. Sometimes people who weren’t the best in the world or Grand Slam winners can bring out the best in you, unlike those who hold a certain status in the sport." The remarks, reported by Croatian media, went viral among fans and analysts. Many saw them as a subtle reaction to Ivanisevic’s earlier criticism.
This is not the first time Tsitsipas has hinted at friction. Shortly after their split, he spoke about how it can be “very difficult to have dictators” in your team, another comment widely interpreted as directed at the Croatian coach.
For now, Tsitsipas is back working with his father, Apostolos. Time will tell if that brings more stability. What is clear is that his short partnership with Ivanisevic is over, and Tsitsipas is trying to move ahead on his own terms.

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