Stefanos Tsitsipas gets strict with dad in honest chats as pair fix messy rift

Stefanos Tsitsipas has opened up about his decision to rehire his father, Apostolos, as his coach after splitting with Goran Ivanisevic. The world No. 30 has been coached by his dad throughout his career, but they had a messy split this time last year after Tsitsipas publicly called Apostolos out and then issued an apology.

The 26-year-old has since been open about how their father-son relationship struggled because of their working partnership. But Apostolos is back in his team, and Tsitsipas says he's had to be strict and honest with his dad after their reunion.

Tsitsipas is back in action at the Canadian Open, his first tournament since splitting with Ivanisevic. Their blockbuster partnership lasted less than two months, and the Croatian only joined him at two tournaments.

The former world No. 3 has now reunited with his dad, whom he fired this time last year. Tsitsipas lost to Kei Nishikori in the first round and slammed Apostolos, claiming he hadn't been "very smart or very good" in the role.

Their turbulent coaching relationship has been well documented. Tsitsipas has often argued with his father and extended family members during matches, even sending a ball their way. But the Greek star wants things to be different this time.

Back in Canada with his dad in tow, Tsitsipas reflected on their split. "It was a very difficult ending with him. He took me to a point last year where I honestly didn't recognise myself," he told Ziggo Sport.

"The way I reacted to this relationship, partnership over the last couple of years, and the way it ended was very obnoxious and unexpected that it would happen in that way.

"There are a lot of things I regret from it and a lot of things that I wouldn't want to repeat because my behaviour and reaction to it wasn't very mature or very me. He definitely made me lose control, but since then we've talked a lot and we've spent a lot of weeks together."

The pair have already spent time together on the tour this year, and Tsitsipas is learning to put his foot down so they can have a better understanding of one another.

He added: "He's been on the tour occasionally here and there, not as my coach, but as a father. We've been lucky enough to talk and discuss things.

"I think I have to be strict with him, sometimes he wants to do things in his own way with me. Now I'm trying to recalibrate that and make him understand that certain things have to be done the way I want them to happen.

"I think this relationship deserves way more than the way we've been treating it in the past. I want there to be more wisdom, being smart in the way we communicate, and being entirely honest."

Tsitsipas and his father will put their revived partnership to the test in Toronto, where he faces Christopher O'Connell in his opening match.

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