Following a disappointing early exit at the 2025 French Open, former world No. 3 Stefanos Tsitsipas has made a significant shift in his coaching setup by bringing in the seasoned Goran Ivanisevic ahead of the upcoming grass-court season. This move signals Tsitsipas’ determination to turn the page and recalibrate his game under the guidance of a proven mentor.
Ivanisevic, who reached a career-high ranking of world No. 2 and famously lifted the Wimbledon trophy in 2001, brings a wealth of experience not only as a player but as one of the most successful coaches on the circuit. Between June 2019 and March 2024, the Croatian mastermind played an instrumental role in Novak Djokovic’s rise to winning nine Grand Slam titles, cementing his reputation as a strategic guru in the sport.
The 53-year-old’s coaching résumé also includes a brief stint with Wimbledon champion Elena Rybakina earlier this year, alongside having guided fellow Croatian Marin Cilic to his breakthrough major triumph at the 2014 US Open.
Reflecting on this new chapter, Tsitsipas expressed enthusiasm: “Working with Goran is an exciting opportunity for me. He is someone who has reached the highest levels of tennis, both as a player and as a coach. I am confident that his experience will help me grow further and I am really looking forward to that.”
Ivanisevic’s arrival in Tsitsipas’ camp injects a fresh tactical perspective and mental toughness that the Greek star will surely benefit from. Known for his razor-sharp court intelligence and fierce competitive spirit, the Croatian veteran has consistently helped elite players sharpen their edge and fulfill their potential.
“He has shown that he belongs among the best, and I’m happy to be part of the next steps of his journey,” Ivanisevic stated. “Stefanos is a very talented tennis player with a strong work ethic. My goal is to enable him to thrive, building on the strong foundation he has already laid.”
The upcoming Halle Open, an ATP 500 event on grass starting June 16, will mark the first tournament where Ivanisevic will officially join Tsitsipas’ coaching box. Given Ivanisevic’s rich history at Wimbledon—with one title and three finals to his name—his insight into grass-court play promises to be invaluable as Tsitsipas seeks to sharpen his game on this surface.
Tsitsipas has not been without coaching support since parting ways with his father and long-time coach Apostolos Tsitsipas in August 2024. Since then, he has worked with Greek Davis Cup captain Dimitris Chatzinikolaou, a relationship that saw some highs, including a Dubai Championship victory in March.
However, the 2025 season overall has been a rollercoaster for Tsitsipas. His campaign at Roland Garros ended prematurely when he was stunned in the second round by world No. 167 Matteo Gigante, falling 6-4, 5-7, 6-2, 6-4 in a match that marked his earliest French Open departure since 2018. This unexpected upset cast a shadow over what had been a lackluster clay-court season, contributing to his slide to 25th in the Live ATP Rankings.
Despite these setbacks, Tsitsipas remains unwavering in his ambition. After his defeat, he shared candid reflections on his mindset: “I still want to be the best player in the world and I still want to do great things around this sport that I chose to play. My attention and focus is always to try and improve any aspect of my game.”
He continued with a sense of resolve, dismissing excuses and emphasizing problem-solving: “I’m an optimistic person. I don’t want to, you know, use any excuses or anything like that, so my entire focus is on how can we come to solutions, solve certain things. It’s a constant puzzle. I’m ambitious and I want to prove it on the tennis court.”
Acknowledging the shifts in his career landscape, Tsitsipas recognized the need to harness his experience more effectively: “Things have definitely changed over the last couple of years and I know that I find myself in a completely different position now. I just need to use my experience a little bit more wisely, I would say. My experience sometimes kind of stabs me I feel like, instead of utilising it in a more professional and profound way.”
As Tsitsipas embarks on this new coaching alliance with Ivanisevic, the tennis world will be watching keenly to see if this blend of youthful talent and veteran wisdom can reignite the Greek star’s trajectory towards the upper echelons of the sport.