Stefanos Tsitsipas rubbishes rumours of replacing father with new coach

After being pictured training with Thomas Enqvist last week, Stefanos Tsitsipas has quashed rumours he would replace his father and has revealed he is only “an addition to the team.”

Last week, 1999 Australian Open finalist Enqvist had been sighted in a training session with World number four Stefanos Tsitsipas prior to the Rotterdam Open.

The duo have shared a friendly relationship ever since Enqvist was vice-captain of Tsitsipas’ Team Europe at the 2021 Laver Cup.

Being seen together led many to ponder whether 24-year-old Stefanos may be replacing his father for the first time in his career. However, Tsitsipas confirmed this is not the case and Enqvist joins as an addition to the team due to his vast experience.

The new appointment also comes after Tsitsipas received criticism at the Australian Open after receiving a coaching violation in his semi-final loss against US Open champion Daniil Medvedev.

Tsitsipas’ father Apostolos’ constant coaching irked Medvedev, who then launched into a fierce tirade towards the chair umpire for his refusal to caution the Greek duo. Medvedev was subsequently fined a total of $12,000 as his temper erupted.

Speaking in a press conference at the Rotterdam Open, Tsitsipas said “[Thomas] Enqvist is an addition to my team, that’s what he is. It’s important to have a person like him on my team.

“Enqvist has a lot of experience on the tour and I respect him a lot. The reason Thomas is here is to help me, give me another perspective and give me some ideas. I’m here to listen whatever he has to told me. We have good energy between us.”

So far at the Rotterdam Open, Tsitsipas has beaten Alejandro Davidovich Fokina and Ilya Ivashka to set up a quarter-final tie with Alex de Minaur.

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