By Richard Pagliaro | Friday, May 26, 2023
Parting with the trainer Brand Philippoussis it was a joint decision, he says Stefanos Tsitsipas.
The 2021 Roland Garros runner-up said his desire to streamline his team and simplify his tactical approach were also factors in the decision. His coach remains Apostolos Tsitsipas, father of Stefanos.
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Former Wimbledon finalist Philippoussis helped guide Tsitsipas to the Australian Open final last January.
The decision to part ways with the coach a week before the start of Roland Garros may suggest instability. However, during a media briefing in Paris today, Tsitsipas said less is more when it comes to coaching at this stage in his career.
“It’s never easy to have two coaches on the pitch,” said Tsitsipas. “I know they are there to help and give their best and provide for me. But it can get pretty hectic at times when two coaches share opinions.
“I’m at a stage in my career where I need one coach who can provide all the information, all the analysis, all the things I’m looking for to improve my game. In my opinion, less is more.”
Two-time major finalist Philippoussis tried to help Tsitsipas sharpen his backhand slash, bolster his play in the return leg, and impose his passing skills more often. However, in the practice, Apostolos Tsitsipas, Philippoussis and Tsitsipas’ mother, Julia, a former WTA player, provided opinions and advice.
Ultimately, Stefanos Tsitsipas suggested that he was not looking for a new coach, believing that simplicity could bring calm to his team.
“I feel like there are a lot of people I could bring to my team who could definitely help by sharing their thoughts and opinions on what I can do better and how I can do it better,” said Tsitsipas. “But in my opinion it’s very important to stick with a few people and make it work because when you have a lot of people around you it can also drain your mental energy a lot.
“So that’s one of the reasons too.”
The two-time Monte-Carlo champion will need all his energy for Paris.
The fifth-seeded Greek, who will face left-handed Czech Jiri Vesely in his first match at Roland Garros, lives in the same draw quarter as world number 1 and nemesis Carlos Alcaraz.
