Tsitsipas confirms Ivanisevic as new coach, ahead of grass-court season
The Greek, ranked outside of the world’s top 20 for the first time since 2018, will look to the Croat in aid of a much needed evolution.
Julien Nouet / Tennis Majors
Stefanos Tsitsipas has confirmed that Grand Slam champion Goran Ivanisevic will begin working as the Greek’s coach, a decision which was rumoured weeks ago – to the surprise of many.
The Croat has a remarkable coaching repertoire, including working with Marin Cilic during his US Open title run in 2014, and – of course- being head coach for Novak Djokovic from June 2019 to March 2024.
During the latter period, the Serb collected 10 of his 2024 Grand Slams, with an improved serve – a specialty of Ivanisevic – being key to those historic victories.
I am confident that his experience will help me grow further
“Working with Goran is an exciting opportunity for me,” stated Tsitsipas in the joint press release. “He is someone who has reached the highest levels of tennis, both as a player and as a coach. I am confident that his experience will help me grow further and I am really looking forward to that.”
“Stefanos is a very talented tennis player with a strong work ethic,” said the Croat. “He has shown that he belongs among the best, and I’m happy to be part of the next steps of his journey. My goal is to enable him to thrive, building on the strong foundation he has already laid.”
Despite the positive statements, the situation is stark for Tsitsipas: short of wins and ranked outside of the world’s top 20 for the first time since 2018.
In his last four Grand Slams, the former world No 3 has failed to reach the third round – with his sole final arriving at the ATP 500 event in Dubai, a match in which he won over Felix Auger-Aliassime in February.
To make matters, potentially, more complicated for the ‘super coach’, the relationship begins during the start of the grass-court season, a period in which Tsitsipas knows little success.
The Greek did, indeed, lift a title on the surface in Mallorca during the 2022 edition of the ATP 250 tournament, but is without a quarter-final appearance at Wimbledon, despite seven participations.
