Staff Reporter.
Mark Philippoussis is no longer helping to coach world No 5 Stefanos Tsitsipas, the Australian former tennis star said, calling it the end of “a great ride”.
Philippoussis joined Tsitsipas’s father Apostolos in the coaches box in the second half of last season and helped guide the Greek player to the Australian Open final.
Tsitsipas, who was beaten in the final in January by Novak Djokovic, previously hailed the impact of “wise man” Philippoussis.
But the 46-year-old Philippoussis, a former Wimbledon and US Open finalist of Greek heritage, wrote on Instagram that the partnership is over, days before the French Open.
He did not say why.
“Thanks for the opportunity of being a part of your team,” Philippoussis said on Tuesday.
“It was a great ride and experience, and I’m proud of what we achieved together in the short amount of time we had.
“I wish you health, happiness and success for your future, on and off the court!”
Tsitsipas’s father remains his main coach.
The announcement comes just days after Tsitsipas became embroiled in a scandal with his mum, Julia Apostoli, who is a Russian-born Greek professional player.
He was heard yelling as he crashed out of the Italian Open on Saturday – telling his mum she ‘needed to leave the stadium’.
‘Mark is a very wise man, he has a lot of knowledge,’ he said.
‘I think the fact that he’s lived these things himself on the tour and he’s able to provide some [advice] to me now is essential.’
‘He provides a lot of feedback. He can relate to a lot of things that have happened to me and sees a little bit of himself in me in some circumstances and situations.’