Stefanos Tsitsipas news: ‘They’ve been targeting me,’ laments Greek after coaching accusations

Shahida Jacobs
January 29, 2022

Stefanos Tsitsipas has hit back at claims that he received on-court coaching during his Australian Open defeat to Daniil Medvedev, saying it is part of a targeted campaign.

Medvedev went on an extraordinary rant during the semi-final on Friday as he took his frustration out on the chair umpire over the help his opponent received from his coach and father Apostolos in the stands.

“His father can talk every point. Are you stupid? I’m talking to you, look at me. How can you be so bad in the semi-final of a Grand Slam?” the Russian shouted in the second set.

WATCH: Daniil Medvedev sorry for ‘funny’ outburst and ‘small cat’ comment as he admits he ‘just lost it’

Tsitsipas, of course, denied the reports and feels he is being singled out.

When asked in the post-match press conference if he was being coached, he replied: “I wasn’t. I cannot hear anything when I’m playing. It’s impossible. Having the crowd being so loud in every single point, you have to have super hearing to be able to hear what your coach says.

“I’m used to it. They’ve been targeting me already a long time. I feel like I’ve gotten a few in the past, and the umpires are always paying attention to my box, never paying attention to the opponent’s box. I feel I have been a victim of that for a long time now.”

The world No 5 also took aim at Medvedev, saying the Russian is a bit immature.

“I know players like to do this stuff to throw you off mentally. Could be maybe a tactic,” he said.

“It’s all right. He’s not the most mature person anyways.”

Daniil Medvedev Stefanos Tsitsipas