MADRID, September 1, 2024

Tsitsipas vs. Nadal—that’s what the tournament schedule for Sunday read. However, this wasn’t at a Grand Slam event, but rather in the first round of the qualifying draw at the Copa Alameda, the longest-running professional tennis tournament in the Communidad de Madrid. And it wasn’t Stefanos and Rafael who were set to face off, but Pavlos Tsitsipas, the 19-year-old youngest of the three Tsitsipas brothers, and Joan Nadal Vives, the 20-year-old son of the famous Uncle Toni.

Under the bright Madrid sun and with a camera crew that is rarely seen at an ITF World Tennis Tour M15 event, everything was set. However, one of the main protagonists, Nadal Vives, was missing. The World No. 1932 never showed up at the club.

However, a replacement was quickly found in Spaniard Luis Retuerta. Tsitsipas, a former Top 300 Junior, who has only won three matches on the Pro Circuit this season, initially struggled with his new opponent but ultimately came through with a 7-6, 6-4 victory.

ITF World Tennis Tour M15 Madrid – Qualifying first round:

This was the schedule (left) – this is the actual match (right) as Mr. Nadal didn’t show up. #ITFWorldTennisTour #Madrid #CopaAlameda pic.twitter.com/N10IFLZ7xy

— Florian Heer (@Florian_Heer) September 1, 2024

Accompanying Pavlos in Madrid this week is his father, Apostolos Tsitsipas, who has been in the tennis headlines recently. In early August, Stefanos Tsitsipas announced that he ends his coaching relationship with his father.

We sat down with Apostolos Tsitsipas for an interview after his son Pavlos’ match.

Tennis TourTalk: How do you rate Pavlos’ performance today?

Apostolos Tsitsipas: He didn’t play matches for a couple of time. We have practiced on clay for the last three or four weeks on clay and this was his first match. He didn’t find a good rhythm as he was supposed to play other player. He kept composure in the most important moments and he won the match.

We were looking forward to a Tsitsipas against Nadal encounter. Do you know what happened? 

I don’t know what happened. He signed in for the tournament but didn’t even come to the club.

How would you evaluate Pavlos’ game in general? What are his strengths and what are his weaknesses? 

He is obviously very powerful and has a big serve. He has a beautiful forehand. He is trying to play the game around the power he has. He definitely needs to work a lot. He is a young player, who needs to work a lot with his physicality. He is developing now and I think that maybe in one year he can bring all the things together and he is able to play the way he is supposed to perform.

You have been coaching your boys for many years. Is it a big difference for you to attend one of your kids during a first round during an ITF World Tennis Tour event or at a Grand Slam tournament?

When it’s about your kids, it’s the same. The commitment of my life is to help my family until all of them take their own way, find a place in what they chose. And then it’s up to them. If they want to have me around it’s great. If they only want to have me partially around, it’s also great. It’s a pleasure to see them. They have been growing up and are nice people, nice adults.

How did you deal with the situation when Stefanos announced that he is looking for a new coach?

This is not the first time. Nothing. Stefanos decided that – for a certain period – he wants me to be just his father, consulting him and not participating a lot his practices. It’s up to him to decide how he feels. I have to respect that. He also has to understand what he wants. He has his space. At some point maybe he will come to me again and says I want to practice with you, as I like the way you guide me. You never know. He’s my child. I am not gonna stop being his father I guess. (smiles)

When did you talk to him the last time?

Every day.

Can you give us any update on his coaching situation?

He is with the Davis Cup coach now. We are partners in the national team of Greece. In the past he also had other coaches. I don’t know. It is up to him. Coaching is very personal. The principles are the same but his style of game is different and so is coaching him. It will take some time for another coach for sure to make the right adjustments to guide him.

What about your plans? Are you going to travel with Pavlos now?

Probably, yes. He was missing our interaction. We will see. I will also preparing business with tennis if I can help somewhere with the development of the players. This would be great for me. This is something that I love. I have my own philosophy and I believe I can help with the development of the players. I also have my own route and my own way of understanding things. This can be interesting at some point to give something to the sport before I will stop my career.

Do you have any particular plans?

Not yet but I will let you know.

Thank you and all the best.

Interview: Florian Heer