ATP Tour: Not without my father!
Fathers only play a role in women's tennis? Are you kidding me? Are you serious when you say that! Just ask Stefanos Tsitsipas , Casper Ruud or Alexander Zverev .
by Jens Huiber
last edit:
Feb 17, 2023, 10:46 am
At the Australian Open 2023 there was a scene behind the scenes that also made its rounds on the broadcasting TV stations: Stefanos Tsitsipas could be seen trying to get the day's exertions out of his legs on the ergometer . Just wandering off with your thoughts didn't work. For father Apostolos texted his son with an astonishingly long monologue. It is difficult to judge how much Stefanos has retained of the certainly well-intentioned advice.
Apostolos Tsitsipas is the counter-model to Srdjan Djokovic, Robert Federer or Sebastian Nadal. The latter recognized early on that their sons would be in better hands with trained professionals if they wanted to strive for a world career in tennis. Tsitsipas Sr. it's more like Richard Williams. A self-made man who planned his children's careers for the long term and took them into his own hands. In contrast to Williams, the mother has also made an expert contribution to the Tsitsipas house: Julia Salnikova is a former professional tennis player.
Fathers Ruud and Zverev wield the scepter
There is a similar constellation at Zverev. There, however, father Alexander sr. has always been in charge, even if a few additional coaches like Juan Carlos Ferrero, Ivan Lendl or currently Sergi Bruguera join the team of the German number one. Father Zverev was also there at the Davis Cup in Trier a few days ago. As Mischa Zverev put it so beautifully in an interview with tennisnet in autumn 2021: "Dad is still the chief."
Which certainly also applies to Christian Ruud, who has been guiding son Casper's career for years. Also and above all as Head Coach.
Rublev and Medvedev traveling without their parents
And otherwise in the absolute top of the world? Carlos Alcaraz's father has hardly been seen on the ATP tour, that of Félix Auger-Aliassime from time to time. However, without any sporting influence. Jannik Sinner's parents couldn't even get to Kitzbühel from South Tyrol - too much work at home. Andrey Rublev and Daniil Medvedev always travel with very little luggage. And also without parents.
Dominic Thiem would come to mind. Father Wolfgang doesn't take part in every tournament, but the senior is in charge of the training sessions.