Former Wimbledon champion Goran Ivanisevic has joined the coaching team of tennis star Stefanos Tsitsipas as the grass season kicks off. However, a quick turnaround is not expected for the former world number three.
“I am not a magician who can make everything work within a week,” Ivanisevic noted regarding his new collaboration with Tsitsipas, emphasizing that they are embarking on a “long process.”
The 26-year-old Greek player announced at the end of May that he would be coached by Ivanisevic, who triumphed at Wimbledon in 2001. After retiring as a player, the former world number two began his coaching career with notable success. In 2014, he guided his fellow Croatian Marin Cilic to his first and only Grand Slam title at the US Open, although they parted ways in 2016. From 2018 to 2024, Ivanisevic coached Novak Djokovic, achieving numerous successes together, with Djokovic now being the record Grand Slam winner.
Ivanisevic perceives a mental challenge for Tsitsipas, stating, “Despite dropping to 25th in the rankings, he is still a great player. He has reached two Grand Slam finals and secured many impressive victories, so I am confident he will make a comeback.”
Currently, Tsitsipas needs to work on his grass game. Ivanisevic remarked, “Generally, he hasn’t performed well on grass. I am not sure why,” hinting at a possible mental barrier: “When one thinks to themselves, ‘I cannot play on grass,’ it impacts their performance. Grass doesn’t forgive mistakes—if you challenge it, it will challenge you back. One must be nice to the grass.”
On a positive note, Stefanos Tsitsipas managed to defeat Italian player Luciano Darderi in three sets (6-4, 3-6, 7-6 (7-5)) at the Halle grass tournament, moving him into the Round of 16. This victory could be a promising step forward as he adjusts to his new coaching dynamic.