‘My Father Needs Different Things’ – Stefanos Tsitsipas’ Comments on Hiring New Coach After Stunning Split Ahead of Wimbledon

Stefanos Tsitsipas is starting a new era without his father at the helm. The 27-year-old dropped the bombshell news on the eve of the 2026 Wimbledon Championships, where he will look to rediscover his form after a dismal start to the year.

Stefanos Tsitsipas Parts Ways With Father; Hires Thomas Perrin As New Coach

Apostolos Tsitsipas has long been an influential part of his son’s tennis career. However, their partnership had not been without volatility, with Stefanos parting ways with his father in 2024 before reuniting less than a year later.

However, Tsitsipas has revealed that this time, their separation would be permanent. The Greek tennis star explained how they both needed to explore a fresh start after a disappointing run in 2026.

Tsitsipas has endured a dramatic slide in 2026, dropping from 34th in the ATP Rankings at the start of the year to world No. 88. He hasn’t won a title or reached an ATP Tour final since February 2025 and holds a 16-14 win-loss record in 2026 going into the Wimbledon Championships.

“The older I get, the more I feel that it’s much harder for me to maintain a stable relationship with my father. I believe my father needs different things, just as I need different things. I could feel it in the day-to-day dynamics of our relationship. I feel we’ve reached a point where I’m now looking for something completely different,” Tsitsipas told SDNA about his coaching change.

Tsitsipas explained that his father had a lot to offer the next generation of tennis but made it clear they would not be reuniting in the future.

“Of course, I love him very much and want the best for him, but right now I’m thinking about myself and what’s best for me… I don’t think we’ll work together again in the future. Now I want to start making my own decisions and deciding for myself,” he added.

Tsitsipas also announced that Thomas Perrin would be his new coach. Perrin has been at Patrick Mouratoglou’s academy for many years and will look to spark a turnaround in fortunes for the two-time Grand Slam finalist.

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Mouratoglou will also oversee Tsitsipas’s progress and will be in his box at select tournaments. Tsitsipas revealed that he is trialing this collaboration on an initial basis until the end of the year.

The last time Tsitsipas was ranked this low was in 2018, and he will hope this change helps him turn his form around. Tsitsipas will begin his Wimbledon campaign against Hugo Gaston on Monday.