Stefanos Tsitsipas is looking for a permanent coach and has confirmed that he has started the process of naming one later this season.
Tsitsipas made the tough decision to part ways with his father and longtime coach Apostolos in a professional capacity after a shock loss to Japan's Kei Nishikori in the second round of the Canadian Open in Montreal this past week.
The Greek star then went on record to call out his father's coaching competence during his post-match interview. Tsitsipas admitted to being ''disappointed" with Apostolos for what he perceived as outdated tactics and confronted him during the match.
It's not the first time that the pair have agreed to disagree on matters of tennis. Tsitsipas previously chose to cut ties with his father, but only temporarily at this time last year, in favor of getting coached by former Australian player Mark Philippousis.
However, that partnership only lasted for a few weeks before Apostolos was once again placed in the firing line in the coaching box. Results have been mixed for the most part this year.
Tsitsipas captured the Monte-Carlo Masters in mid-April for the third time in his career, but he is not pleased with his form overall. He has since reached only one more final, in Barcelona, where he lost to Casper Ruud.
At the Grand Slam level, he hasn't fulfilled his goal of winning one of the most valuable titles in professional tennis, losing to Carlos Alcaraz for the umpteenth time at Roland Garros. Tsitsipas also came up short in his quest to win a medal at the Olympics.
Last week, Tsitsipas backtracked from his public criticism of his father and regretted his behavior. But it doesn't look like he wants to revisit that chapter of reuniting with him on the Tour.
He played his first tournament in his absence at the Cincinnati Open. Tsitsipas hired Dimitris Chatzinikolaou, the Greek National Team Coach who was with him at the Paris Olympics. The pair kicked off their temporary alliance in fine style.
The World No. 11 secured a comeback victory over Jan-Lennard Struff on Wednesday and then spoke to Dutch media Ziggo Sport. He was asked whether he intended to make a long-term appointment before the end of this season.
"I'm not quite sure...I will be trying to make an interview with different coaches. I will set up an interview with a few of them. I am not entirely sure of how I am going to proceed in terms of which coach I will be picking. So that is something that is uncertain for now. But I am glad Dimitri stepped in to help me out. I have known him my entire life since I was a little baby."
It looks like Tsitsipas already has a shortlist of candidates to replace Apostolos. But he didn't progress beyond the second round in Cincinnati. The 26-year-old lost British lefty Jack Draper in three sets on Thursday and will now prepare to head to New York for the US Open.
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