Who is Stefanos Tsitsipas' coach? Know all about Mark Philippoussis

Tsitsipas quickly established his credentials of being capable of defeating the best in the business, with his runner-up finish in the 2018 edition of the Canadian Open.

Stefanos Tsitsipas in a file photo. (Image: Twitter)
By Nilavro Ghosh | Dec 16, 2022 | 2 Min Read follow icon Follow Us

Rarely does a player attract criticism or hate from the audience and fellow players for taking bathroom breaks. However, Stefanos Tsitsipas was slammed for the same with many terming him as a cheat for taking breaks late in matches during the 2021 US Open. The Greek tennis star drew a lot of backlash from English veteran Andy Murray, after a lengthy toilet break during their first round match at Flushing Meadows. Murray blasted Tsitsipas, admitting that he had lost respect for the player.

“I think he’s great for the game. But I have zero time for that stuff at all and I lost respect for him. It’s not so much leaving the court. It’s the amount of time. I spoke to my team before the match about it and said to expect that, prepare for it if things were not going his way. You cannot stop the way that affects you physically. When you’re playing a brutal match like that, stopping for seven, eight minutes, you do cool down,” said the English veteran in an interaction with reporters.

However, this controversy is hardly the only aspect of Tsitsipas’s legacy in the game, with the Greek’s triumph in the 2019 ATP Finals making him the youngest winner of the prestigious tournament in eighteen years. The tennis star also enjoys a stellar reputation in his home nation, with a ranking of No. 3 in the world making him the highest-ranked Greek player in history. Tsitsipas quickly established his credentials of being capable of defeating the best in the business, with his runner-up finish in the 2018 edition of the Canadian Open.

The Greek became the youngest player to defeat four top ten opponents in a single tournament, during that stellar campaign showcasing his potential to the full extent. Tsitsipas has won 7 singles career titles so far, with 2019 marking his most successful season ever. Tsitsipas will certainly be expected to surge ahead and record more success in the game, considering the prowess he enjoys and damage he is capable of.

Who is Mark Philippoussis?

Former Australian tennis pro Mark Anthony Philippoussis is of Greek and Italian ancestry. The two Davis Cup championships Philippoussis won with Australia in 1999 and 2003—each by winning the decisive rubber—are his greatest accomplishments. He also advanced to the singles finals of the 1998 US Open and 2003 Wimbledon. Philippoussis attained a singles world No. 8 ranking, which was a career high. Philippoussis has a modest modelling background and acted in the American dating reality series Age of Love. His moniker, “the Scud,” is a reference to the Scud missile. In Australia, he is also referred to as “The Pou.”