“Even when people didn’t see him around, he has been there behind closed doors in private” Tsitsipas gets Philippoussis back on team

The pair had announced their split in May after joining forces in the middle of 2022

Image Credit: Antoine Couvercelle / Panoramic

August 8, 2023

World No 4 Stefanos Tsitsipas has reunited with former world No 8 Mark Philippoussis, who takes on the role of Head Coach for the Greek while father, Apostolos, takes a break from coaching duties for some time.

Tsitsipas, who picked up his first title of 2023 in Los Cabos over the weekend, told the media that he wanted to give his father a break after having been his main coach for more than a decade.

“My father right now, I gave him some time off. He hasn’t had time off since I’m 12 years old,” the 24-year-old told the media in Toronto prior to his opening match. “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. I’m not a parent myself, but I can imagine how difficult it can be at times seeing your child give it their all and to be going through so much during a match. I love him and I want him to be part of that journey that we have built together, and he’s not going anywhere. He’s still with us, and he’s still there following our path and journey.”

Stefanos Tsitsipas and Mark Philippoussis Image Credit: Zuma / Panoramic

Tsitsipas and Philippoussis, a two-time Grand Slam runner-up, had started working officially together in July 2022 before going their separate ways in May this year. But the Greek player said that Philippoussis had always been in his corner even when they weren’t officially working together.

“It’s time to keep exploring new things,” the Greek said. “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. Mark is a parent himself. He’s not my father, but he’s been through a lot of moments in his own personal career that he can identify and capture better in certain ways. He is an incredible human being. He has helped me a lot. He has been there for me. Even when people didn’t see him around, he has been there behind closed doors in private. And he’s a big addition to our team.”

Tsitsipas begins his quest for a first ATP Masters title on hardcourt against French veteran Gael Monfils, whom he has beaten in two of their three previous meetings.