Goran Ivanisevic, the former Wimbledon champion turned coach, has stirred controversy with his recent comments regarding his new protégé, Stefanos Tsitsipas. Their partnership began under challenging circumstances, as Tsitsipas was forced to retire from his first match with Ivanisevic at the helm due to fitness issues. The situation was exacerbated when Ivanisevic publicly criticized the Greek player’s physical condition, prompting a backlash from the tennis community.
The Croatian coach, who previously guided Novak Djokovic to great heights, is finding it difficult to establish a stable relationship with Tsitsipas. Ivanisevic’s recent coaching endeavors, including a brief partnership with Elena Rybakina, have not yielded lasting results. As he shifts focus to Tsitsipas, the initial signs are not promising, particularly following the early retirement.
Patrick Mouratoglou, a prominent figure in tennis coaching and Tsitsipas’s former mentor, has spoken out against Ivanisevic’s remarks. In a video posted on social media, Mouratoglou expressed his concerns about the impact of such comments on the player-coach dynamic. He emphasized that trust and support are essential in a coaching relationship, especially during difficult periods. Mouratoglou stated, “When a coach attacks his player like that, especially so early in their collaboration, it hurts.”
The French coach reflected on Ivanisevic’s predicament, noting that both Ivanisevic and Tsitsipas are experiencing a challenging time, particularly given Tsitsipas’s recent struggles on the court. Mouratoglou suggested that Ivanisevic’s approach seemed to indicate a desire to distance himself from Tsitsipas’s performance, which could be detrimental to building the necessary trust.
As of now, it appears that Tsitsipas’s health is still a significant concern, a situation made more complex by his withdrawal from the upcoming Croatia Open in Umag. This event is particularly poignant since Ivanisevic serves as the tournament ambassador and has a stadium named in his honor. Speculation among fans regarding a potential rift between coach and player is inevitable, but given the recent timing of their partnership, a split would come as a surprise.
While Ivanisevic may choose to refrain from publicly responding to Mouratoglou’s critiques, it will be interesting to see how he addresses Tsitsipas’s situation moving forward. Fans and analysts alike will be watching closely, hopeful that both the player and coach can navigate this challenging period and emerge stronger in the face of adversity.