Stefanos Tsitsipas fires his coach after the US Open disaster
Tennis
August 31, 2023 | 2:22 pm
Separation is not difficult for Stefanos Tsitsipas and Mark Philippoussis.
The Greek tennis star split from his coach for the second time this summer, after his shock loss at the US Open to qualifier Dominic Stricker.
Tsitsipas, ranked seventh in the world, lost in a five-set match to Stricker, ranked No. 128, 7-5, 6-7 (2), 6-7 (5), 7-6 (6). 6-3, which forced the Greek star to reconsider his coaching decision again.
“I felt like I was out of tune. My partnership with Mark was over. Tsitsipas told Greek media after the match, according to Eurosport.
The 25-year-old, who has never made it past the third round at the US Open, removed Philippoussis — the big serve star of the 1990s, who reached No. 8 in the world — from his coaching staff in June but reinstated him earlier in the year. This month, which gave his father Apostolos a “break” from coaching duties.
Tsitsipas, however, took the blame for his annoyance, and refused to put Philippoussis under the rug.
“In no way am I supposed to blame anyone or any member of my team,” Tsitsipas said.
“Everything on the pitch is under my control and under my talent, and the way I can play this sport shows on the pitch.
“If I can’t get results, I’m not supposed to be in good shape,” Tsitsipas added.
The shock defeat was the latest disappointment for Tsitsipas, who reached the final of the Australian Open but has not reached the same level since then, falling in the quarter-finals of the French Open and the round of 16 at Wimbledon.
Tsitsipas has reached a “crossroads” with tennis writer Christopher Cleary Books on X.
“He’s 25 and has been to the final twice. Happy in his personal life and has made his coaching situation clear with his father in the background. But the new generation led by Alcaraz continue to impose themselves and need to raise another level soon or be left behind.
Tsitsipas won 10 titles during his career, including the Los Cabos tournament in Mexico this season.
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