By Chris Oddo | @TheFanChild | Monday June 16, 2025
A new era has begun for Stefanos Tsitsipas.
The Greek played – and won – his first match with Goran Ivanisevic in his coaching box on Monday, defeating Italy’s Luciano Darderi 6-4 3-6 7-6(5). Now ranked 25, the former World No.3 hopes to rebuild his game and confidence with the legendary Croatian at the helm.
Ivanisevic, who guided Novak Djokovic to 12 major titles during his time alongside the Grand Slam king, cautioned that there is no easy fix to Tsitsipas’ game.
“I’m not a magician who can make it work after one week,” he told the ATP this weekend, after the pair practiced in Halle. “It’s a long process, but he’s a great player. He was two times in Grand Slam finals and had so many great victories, so I’m not worried that it’s not going to come back.”
Tsitsipas announced the official pairing at the end of May.
The Greek is 19-11 on the season with a title in Dubai.
“Goran’s experience, passion for the sport, and champion’s mindset are things I greatly respect, and I’m looking forward to the journey ahead with him by my side,” he said on Instagram two weeks ago. “I’m optimistic about what we can build together.”
Ivanisevic, a former World No.2 with 599 ATP wins and a Wimbledon title to his name, says he identifies with Tsitsipas in many ways.
“It’s exciting to me because of his temperament,” said Ivanisevic, per the ATP. “Greek, Croatian are pretty similar temperaments. He’s a very aggressive player, which I like. I always liked the way he played, and his style.”
Ivanesivic hopes to “put some input into his game, as a server, as a serve and volleyer,” which could help the Greek on the grass, and on any fast surface. “For me it’s actually a huge challenge and hopefully it’s going to work well,” the 53-year-old added.
Stef fights through 💪@steftsitsipas comes through a tight battle 6-4 3-6 7-6 against Darderi to make R2 in Halle!#TWO25 pic.twitter.com/Qk297rl69X
— Tennis TV (@TennisTV) June 16, 2025
Ivanisevic says that in his mind Tsitsipas is a top player, once he gets his “edge” back.
“He is for me a Top 10 player any day,” Ivanisevic said. “At the moment he lost that edge a little bit. A lot of things happened and now he has to find it back.”
