Stefanos Tsitsipas U-turns on dramatic decision to axe dad after just two months

Stefanos Tsitsipas has parted ways with Mark Philippoussis and rehired his dad just two months after making a dramatic change to his coaching camp. Back in August, the world No 5 got rid of his father Apostolos and hired the Australian as his head coach. But he has already reversed his decision, claiming people have always tried to “destroy” what he had with his dad.

Tsitsipas announced yet another change to his team ahead of this week’s Shanghai Masters. The Greek star has rehired his dad as the head coach in his team and axed Philippoussis – the second time this year that he has tried and failed to make it work with the former world No 8.

It comes just two months after the two-time Grand Slam finalist announced that his dad would be stepping down from his team for the first time, though affirmed that he would still be supporting the camp from afar. Announcing the news, Tsitsipas told Tennis TV: “My dad has always been next to me.

“Even when he was not there and people didn’t see him he was always there by my side digitally.” And it seems Tsitsipas is now keen to keep Apostolos for the long-term, ruling out the possibility of trying things with a new coach again.

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“He’s here to stay,” he continued. “I have no intention of ever changing my dad or pushing him away. People are always going to try and create rumours or try and destroy what you have with someone that is really close to you in any way or form. He’s someone that cannot be excluded.”

As for Philippoussis, Tsitsipas explained that the retired Australian tennis star would not be a part of his team in any capacity as he struggled to get to grips with a new style of coaching after his dad left the team. He added: “Mark Philippoussis is not part of the team anymore. I wanted to try with a coach and I wanted to see how that might work.

“It was a little bit off-tune in many ways and not having the prescient of my dad there sort of felt like I was losing part of my identity as a player. I wasn’t able to adjust to the new form or ways or teaching or methods that were applied by Mark, who I admire and liked watching a lot on TV when I was younger.”

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Tsitsipas originally announced that his dad was taking a break from his team ahead of the Canadian Open in August. Fresh off the back of winning a title in Los Cabos, the 25-year-old told reporters that Philippoussis would be his main coach.

“I think for him, it’s very healthy to take some time away from the court and feel refreshed again. Parents can get emotional sometimes, and I completely understand that,” he said of his father’s departure at the time. “It’s time to keep exploring new things. And I’m open minded and I want to learn as much as I can to maximise on my career because I have felt at times stagnant.”

After exploring, it seems that Tsitsipas is keen to go back to what he knows best – being coached by his dad. Since axing his dad ahead of the Canadian Open, the world No 5 has gone 2-4 in tour-level matches. And he will be hoping that rehiring Apostolos will spark an upswing in his results as the season nears its end.

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