Goran Ivanisevic Reveals Early Doubts and Mental Concerns Following Short-Lived Stefanos Tsitsipas Partnership

Goran Ivanisevic opens up about his brief time coaching Stefanos Tsitsipas, citing a lack of preparation and mental fatigue as reasons for the quick split.

By: AXL Media

Published: Mar 30, 2026, 5:21 AM EDT

Source: Information for this report was sourced from Tennis365

The Immediate Realization of a Misaligned Partnership

The collaboration between the 2001 Wimbledon winner and the former world number three began in May 2025, following Tsitsipas’s unexpected exit from the French Open. However, Ivanisevic recently revealed to Sportklub that the relationship was doomed from their initial meeting in Zagreb. According to the veteran coach, the simple act of testing rackets exposed fundamental issues that suggested the duo would not succeed on the professional circuit, a premonition that was confirmed by their brief tenure together.

Physical and Mental Stagnation on the Grass Courts

Their competitive debut in Halle resulted in a straight-sets second-round loss to Alex Michelsen, followed by a disastrous appearance at Wimbledon. During his opening match in London, Tsitsipas was forced to retire against world number 113 Valentin Royer while trailing significantly, citing persistent back pain. Ivanisevic noted that the issues were not merely physical but deeply mental, advising the Greek star to take a four-month hiatus to recharge a psychological state that appeared increasingly fragile under the pressures of the tour.

Scathing Assessment of Professional Standards

Following their separation, Ivanisevic did not hold back in his evaluation of Tsitsipas’s work ethic and physical condition. The coach described the 26-year-old as the most unprepared player he had ever encountered in his professional career, claiming he felt more physically ready despite his own age and knee issues. Ivanisevic suggested that while Tsitsipas possesses the talent to remain in the world’s top ten, his inability to resolve external distractions and commit to rigorous training has stalled his progress on the court.