Stefanos Tsitsipas has dropped a bombshell by announcing his split from coach Goran Ivanisevic after less than two months of collaboration. The pair teamed up for just two tournaments, with Tsitsipas posting a 1-2 record and bowing out of Wimbledon in the first round due to retirement.

Their high-profile partnership has come to an abrupt end. Tsitsipas, formerly ranked No. 3 in the world, had initially heaped accolades on Ivanisevic for his no-nonsense approach when they joined forces.

However, it seems this tough love backfired as Ivanisevic took to television to criticize Tsitsipas’ conditioning, stating: “I have never seen a more unprepared player in my life.”

The Greek tennis star has now confirmed the termination of their professional relationship. On Wednesday, Tsitsipas took to social media to release a statement. “Working with Goran Ivanisevic was brief but an intense experience and a truly valuable chapter in my journey,” the statement said.

“I’m thankful for the time, effort and energy he dedicated to me and my team. As we are now following our separate ways, I have only respect for Goran – not just for what he’s achieved in tennis, but also for who he is as a person. I wish him nothing but the very best moving forward.”

Tsitsipas began working with Ivanisevic following the French Open, with the 2001 Wimbledon winner accompanying him during his grass-court stints at Halle and Wimbledon.

Ivanisevic didn’t hold back on Serbian TV when discussing Tsitsipas’ early exit from Wimbledon due to injury, suggesting the young player needs to address issues off the court.

The former world No. 2 expressed to Sport Klub: “It’s simple and it’s not simple. I’ve talked to him a lot of times. If he solves some things outside of tennis, then he has a chance and he’ll return to where he belongs, because he’s too good a player to be out of the top 10.

“He wants, but he doesn’t do anything. All ‘I want, I want’, but I don’t see that progress. I was shocked, I have never seen a more unprepared player in my life. With this knee, I am three times more fit than him. This is really bad.”

DON’T MISS

Tsitsipas had previously praised Ivanisevic’s direct approach to coaching. Before the tournament, the world No. 29 remarked: “I’m at a stage of my life and my career where I want something refreshing, I want something new, I want something exciting, I want something that has a different language to it, a different language programmed.

“One of truth, one of honesty, and one of even, you know what? I’d say Goran is strict on me and he’s very tough on me. Any other player would probably freak out and be like, ‘How the heck is he allowed to talk to me like that?’ But I need this, because I need the truth, and I need to have someone that’s tough with me.”

Stefanos Tsitsipas is shaking things up after parting ways with coach Ivanisevic, who has previously mentored tennis aces like Novak Djokovic and Elena Rybakina. Reports from SDNA indicate that Tsitsipas is set to collaborate once again with his father, Apostolos.