Latest news with #Ivanišević
Time of India
5 days ago
- Sport
- Time of India
Stefanos Tsitsipas parts ways with Goran Ivanisevic; to re-unite with father Apostolos
Stsefanos Tsitsipas in practice session (in black) as Goran Ivanisevic (R) watches on. (Getty Images) Former World No. 3 Stefanos Tsitsipas has ended his brief coaching partnership with Goran Ivanisevic after just two tournaments. The Greek tennis star, now ranked 29th globally, is returning to work with his father Apostolos following poor results and public criticism from the Croatian about his fitness levels. Tsitsipas confirmed the split through a statement, saying, "Working with Goran Ivanišević was a brief but intense experience and a truly valuable chapter in my journey." Ivanišević, who previously coached Novak Djokovic, told The Athletic that the split was amicable. He supported Tsitsipas's decision to return to his father, noting, "He had his best results with his father, his father knows him the best so I agree that is the right decision." Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW! Their partnership started during the French Open but quickly soured. Under Ivanišević, Tsitsipas won only one match at the Halle Open before losing to Luciano Darderi. He then retired with a back injury in the first round of Wimbledon against Valentin Royer. The relationship became strained when Ivanišević publicly criticised Tsitsipas's fitness. "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," the Croatian coach told SportKlub . by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Many Are Watching Tariffs - Few Are Watching What Nvidia Just Launched Seeking Alpha Read More Undo Tsitsipas later hinted at his dissatisfaction, telling Sdna , "It is very difficult to have dictators and people who speak negatively and you don't feel like they are close to you like family." The 26-year-old has struggled to maintain his form over the past year. He removed his father from his coaching team last August after losing to Kei Nishikori, then ranked 576th. He's also made equipment changes and tried new tactics but continues to struggle against the evolving playing styles of younger stars like Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz. Tsitsipas's ranking has dropped out of the top 20 for the first time since 2018. For real-time updates, scores, and highlights, follow our live coverage of the India vs England Test match here. Catch Rani Rampal's inspiring story on Game On, Episode 4. Watch Here!
Yahoo
30-04-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Toni Nadal Transformed Rafael Nadal's Career With a Single Change Says Goran Ivanisevic
In sports, small decisions can have monumental consequences. Few examples highlight this better than the story of Rafael Nadal's left-handed game — a decision that, according to Goran Ivanišević, borders on genius. Speaking candidly, Novak Djokovic's former coach reflected on how Toni Nadal's early intervention in Rafael's development might have fundamentally shaped the career of one of the sport's greatest players. Advertisement "Nadal is naturally right-handed," Ivanišević said. "His uncle made him switch hands somehow, and who knows if Nadal would've been as good had he stayed right-handed?" It's a fascinating insight into the early days of Nadal's training, where Toni Nadal, ever the visionary coach, saw something that most would overlook. For Ivanišević, this move teetered between 'genius and madness' — and yet, it ultimately proved to be a stroke of brilliance. Rafael Nadal (ESP) receives a replica trophy from his uncle Toni Nadal© Susan Mullane-Imagn Images The advantages of being a left-hander in tennis are well-documented. Left-handed players often force right-handers into uncomfortable positions, spinning the ball differently and disrupting standard game plans. Advertisement Ivanišević emphasized this, saying, "It's traditionally tough to play left-handers in tennis. The spins are different; everything changes. Your whole game plan changes when you're playing a lefty. Everything just feels off when you're up against them." Nadal, though not known for having a massive serve compared to some of his contemporaries, made his delivery devastatingly effective simply through his left-handed spin and placement. "He never had a crazy good serve," Ivanišević noted, "but because he's left-handed, his serve was still super effective. He'd pull you way out wide, and then you're defending with a backhand or a forehand. If he were right-handed, that serve wouldn't have been half as effective." "So, it's definitely an advantage, and his uncle sensed that. It's unbelievable how his uncle saw that, he is a genius and he turned Nadal into one too," Ivanišević added. Novak Djokovic (SRB) plays against Rafael Nadal (ESP) in the men's tennis singles second round during the Paris 2024 Olympic© Amber Searls-Imagn Images Toni Nadal's early, unconventional decision clearly paid off in remarkable ways. It speaks not only to his deep understanding of tennis but also to the courage he had to mold a young player's instincts in service of a bigger vision. As history shows, that one bold choice helped create a 22-time Grand Slam champion and one of the greatest competitors the sport has ever seen. Related: Rafael Nadal Clarifies Retirement Decision: 'My Body Wasn't Going to Recover'
