Stefanos Tsitsipas recently opened up about his personal journey, revealing that he has experienced a “quiet storm of evolution” over the past few months. In a candid post, the Greek tennis star shared his reflections on his upbringing, which he described as being shaped by “narcissistic” parents. This introspection comes after Tsitsipas made the decision to part ways with his father, Apostolos Tsitsipas, who had been his coach throughout his career, following a loss to Kei Nishikori at the Cincinnati Masters in August.
The decision to end their long-standing player-coach relationship was a difficult one, but Tsitsipas was outspoken about his frustrations. He criticized his father’s coaching methods, expressing disappointment by saying that Apostolos “hasn’t been very smart or very good” at taking his feedback. He also admitted to feeling “really disappointed” in the way things had unfolded.
However, in the aftermath, Tsitsipas issued a heartfelt apology, acknowledging that his outburst was “unacceptable.” He took responsibility for his actions in a moving statement, in which he confirmed the end of their professional partnership. Despite the emotional and professional fallout, Tsitsipas expressed gratitude for his father’s efforts, recognizing the role Apostolos had played in shaping him both on and off the court. “My father has been trying for the last few years to train me, raise me the right way, and provide me with knowledge and wisdom, both on and off the field. I thank him for that,” Tsitsipas said. “I thank him for the sacrifices, pain, and suffering he has endured to make this endeavor a success.”
From that point forward, Tsitsipas clarified that his father’s role would transition to that of a supportive figure, strictly maintaining the role of a father rather than a coach.
Looking back at his 2024 season, Tsitsipas finished as world No. 11, a setback that marked the first time since 2018 he failed to qualify for the ATP Finals. Despite this, he managed to claim his only title of the year at the Monte Carlo Masters in April, a victory that provided some solace after a challenging season.
On Instagram, Tsitsipas reflected further on his personal growth. He described the past few months as a time of profound change and development, describing it as “a quiet storm of evolution.” He went on to express that life’s true beauty is not found in perfection, but in its “bold unpredictability,” with the future holding endless possibilities. “What’s coming? Only time will tell,” he mused.
In the final slide of his post, Tsitsipas shared a video with a narration that struck a deeply personal chord. The narrator spoke about the emotional challenges of being raised by narcissistic parents, noting that children in such environments often learn that love is conditional. “The child of a narcissistic parent learns early that love is conditional. They quickly understand they’ll only be loved for what they do, not who they are,” the narrator explained. “They sense their parents cannot meet their emotional needs, so they learn to perform: excelling in sports, academics, or becoming their parents’ confidant and emotional support.”
This powerful message resonated with Tsitsipas, as it underscored some of the personal struggles he had faced in his relationship with his father and his ongoing journey of self-discovery.