Stefanos Tsitsipas has never forgotten when he almost lost his life as a teenager. Thankfully, his father, Apostolos, was there to rescue him.
Tsitsipas' relationship with Apostolos is highly scrutinized by the media. The 56-year-old was Stefanos' coach throughout most of his career before they ended their partnership in August.
Despite Stefanos' accomplishments, some felt Apostolos not making way for an expert coach with experience prevented him from taking the next step and reaching the very top like Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz.
The split in August happened after Tsitsipas blasted his father in public after losing to Kei Nishikori at the Canadian Open. There was no healing their coaching relationship after that and they went their separate ways.
According to one of Stefanos' former physios, Stefanos wanted to part ways with Apostolos on several occasions before that, but his mother made the Greek No. 1 feel guilty by reminding him of everything he had done for him.
The Tsitsipas family did not take kindly to the former physio's remarks. They sued him for them, although it is challenging to see what damages can be sought for comments as relatively non-offensive as the physio's.
It turns out that what Apostolos has done for Stefanos is not just related to helping him develop his tennis career. He was also responsible for saving the former world No. 3's life as a teenager.
Stefanos told the Spanish magazine Hola! that his father saved him as a 15-year-old when the sea became rough and that the experience continues to impact his outlook on life.
"It was a terrifying experience. I don't think I've ever had such an experience, which taught me to live every moment, to be grateful and not to take anything for granted in life."
"It must have had an impact on me because I also realised how terrifying nature can be, especially when you're not aware of it. The sea has a great cultural value in Greece and I spent a lot of time on the sea and islands as a child. That day taught me for the rest of my life that there are always dangers that you can't control."
Thankfully, Tsitsipas has no lasting physical damage from that incident. As a result of his being okay, fans have enjoyed the 26-year-old's watchable brand of tennis since he emerged on the ATP Tour.
However, there is clearly a lasting mental impact from almost losing his life at sea. It would be hard for anyone not to have a different and unique outlook on life after coming close to dying.
That scary moment might also help explain why Stefanos found it challenging to move on from his father as a coach. Telling an outside coach who was hired you want to move on differs greatly from telling your father, who you owe your life to, that it is time to split.
Stefanos eventually decided to stop working with Apostolos. Observing whether he hits the ground running in 2025 after that move will be interesting.
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