“It wasn't easy for him”

Sometimes discreet, sometimes vocal in the stands, Julia Salnikova (61), the mother of Stefanos Tsitsipas and a former player who reached 130th in the world in doubles, gave a rare but generous interview to the Russian website m.sports.

She did not leave any thorny subject aside regarding her son, the former world number 3, who went through a terrible 2025. Sporting and emotional disappointments, medical problems – the back one prematurely cut short her season, disagreements with the new coach, the return to her father, all these were dissected by Salnikova.

Regarding the back problem, she elaborated. “He consulted a doctor specializing in his type of injury, who advised him to take a vacation and not continue the season with the tournament in Athens, even though that tournament was his main priority. The problem was resolved without surgery. This made Stefanos very happy“, she assured.

“At that time, he was so tired that he was even ready for the operation. Now he no longer feels any discomfort. This is encouraging, because before, even in everyday life, he felt embarrassment in his back,” added Julia Salnikova.

“We suspect that some of the causes are congenital. The doctor explained to us that it presents some structural peculiarities. We also suspect that part of the problem is related to a faulty service. It leans slightly to the left. Finally, the cartilage through which the nerve passes was constantly inflamed and pressed on the channel,” she further detailed.

The relationship between Tsitsipas and Badosa: “The separation was not easy”

Paula Badosa and Stefanos Tsitsipas happier than ever in 2023 Photo: Instagram

He also did not leave aside the relationship with Paula Badosa, one with many fluctuations, separations and reconciliations, but which ended – perhaps definitively – this year, at the beginning of July. They started dating in June 2023, broke up in May 2024, then reconciled and in April 2025, at the Laureus Gala, they even hinted at a possible wedding.

“Breaking up with Paula Badosa wasn't easy either. It was an interesting relationship. It wasn't an ordinary one, because it was at a distance. And they both started this relationship injured and physically challenged. When they started dating, Paula couldn't play at all because of a back injury“, Stef's mother recalled the stages.

“But ultimately, the relationship was difficult from the beginning. I wouldn't want to go into details, because I have an understanding with the team. The most appropriate answer would be: the relationship was not easy for him,” she emphasized.

Julia Salnikova, mother of Stefanos Tsitsipas Photo: Imago Images

He also reached the complex, sometimes tense relationship with his father, who was and became his coach again. “No one could have worked with Stefanos. Because the way he and his father worked together was, if not unique, at least very particular. Only because of their shared understanding of the game, Stefanos was able to achieve important results,” highlighted Salnikova.

She also believes that the period when Mark Philippoussis joined the team was a good one, with important results, but revealed that the Australian was wrong to propose Tsitsipas a one-on-one collaboration, without his father: “It didn't last long“.

The breakup with Apostolos, accompanied by harsh messages on social media, was, according to the player's mother, “a teenage reaction“. He couldn't stand his father anymore, he had become uncontrollable. “He is also a person, he found himself in an awkward situation and had a crisis, an outburst“, she explained.

Collaboration with Goran Ivanisevic: “I take full responsibility, it was a wrong decision”

Salnikova also took the blame for the short, infertile and bitterly ended collaboration that Stefanos had this year with Goran Ivanisevic.

Goran Ivanisevic and Stefanos Tsitsipas at Wimbledon Photo: Guliver/GettyImages

“He never intended to build a relationship with Tsitsipas. Goran Ivanisevic's history as a coach begins and ends with a player named Novak Djokovic. He was completely lost in it. I saw it and was impressed. He treated Djokovic as a loved one who needed unconditional support. Ivanisevic was willing to do anything for Djokovic, willing to fulfill his every whim. And that won me over,” admitted Julia Salnikova.

“It turned out to be an illusion. Observing this relationship, I naively assumed that it might be the same with the next player. But such love happens once in a lifetime, no one can repeat it. Not only did I advise him to hire him, I insisted. And I take full responsibility. I take the blame that it was a wrong decision“, she concluded.