ATP World number five Stefanos Tsitsipas was the star attraction on media day for this week's Los Cabos Open, where he is the number one seed.
Tsitsipas used part of his interview to reflect on his coaching relationship with his father, Apostolos. In the past, Tsitsipas and Apostolos have been the subject of a frosty on-court relationship, and the Greek number one once went into full meltdown, lashing his racket towards his father in an ATP Cup match a few years ago.
Tsitsipas has been clear of the tension that sometimes envelopes the two of them and many fans have urged Tsitsipas to have a different voice in his box during matches. Occasionally, Tsitsipas' mother, Julia Apostoli, also travels with him and sits with the rest of the team courtside.
Tsitsipas has also been confrontational with his mother on the court. Earlier this year, in a match in Rome, he ordered her to leave the player's box and requested his team to escort her off the court. Tsitsipas, however, doesn't see all his outbursts towards his parents negatively.
"The more I go older it represents more challenges to me to train with my dad. He is the right person for me (to train me). We have different point of views, but he gives me different perspectives. It’s stressful at times."
And as reported by SDNA publication, Tsitsipas has made a u-turn in his decision to part ways with Mark Philippoussis, who was part of his coaching team for almost a year. He has rehired the former Australian tennis player, who will join him at select events in North America, including Los Cabos in Mexico.
Tsitsipas has yet to comment on the story, but it appears the revised coaching terms between his father and Philippoussis will help him to keep his temper in check and play with more freedom. We'll soon find out during this summer's North American swing.
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