Tsitsipas's mother on her son's relationship with Badosa: "It was difficult from the beginning"

Andrés Tomás Rico | 4 Dec 2025 | 19.00

Tsitsipas's mother, on her son's relationship with Badosa: "It was difficult from the beginning." Photo: Getty Images

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Yulia Salnikova talked about everything surrounding her son Stefanos Tsitsipas. The Greek has had a year to forget, falling out of the top-20 of the ATP ranking, hindered by his back problems and giving the sense that his tennis level significantly dropped. He also put an end to his relationship with Paula Badosa.

But his back troubles never disappeared, and the Greek was very close to undergoing surgery, something he managed to avoid. His physical condition was another topic surrounding the figure of Stefanos Tsitsipas, especially after his former coach for a month, Goran Ivanisevic, criticized him by saying he had better fitness than the Athenian.

Yulia Salnikova, Stefanos' mother, who is usually more distant from the media, spoke about all of this. However, this time, in an interview with the Russian outlet m.sports, she did not hold back and talked about her son's relationship with Paula Badosa, the relationship with Apóstolos, Stefano's physical condition, and the decision to hire Ivanisevic.

About Tsitsipas' back problems

"He consulted a specialist doctor for his injury, who advised him to take a break and not continue the season with the Athens tournament, even though that tournament was his top priority. The problem was resolved without surgery. Stefanos was very relieved; by then, he was so tired that he was even ready for surgery. He no longer feels any discomfort. This is encouraging since before, even in daily life, he felt back pain."

The origins of this injury could be congenital

"We suspect that some of the causes are congenital. The doctor explained to us that he has some structural peculiarities. We suspect that part of the problem lies in a faulty serve. It leans slightly to the left. Ultimately, the cartilage through which the nerve passes was constantly inflamed and pressed on the canal. The goal of the treatment was to dry this cartilage so the inflamed canal could return to its normal state."

Stefanos Tsitsipas' mother gives her opinion on her son's relationship with Paula Badosa

"His breakup with Paula Badosa was not easy either. It was an interesting relationship. It was not a typical relationship because it was long-distance. Both started this relationship injured and with physical pains. When they started dating, Paula couldn't play at all due to a back injury. But in the end, the relationship was difficult from the beginning. I prefer not to go into details because I have an agreement with the team. The most accurate response would be: the relationship was not easy for him."

She believes that her son can only reach his full potential with his father Apóstolos

"I will be very frank about it. I will tell you that no coach could have worked with Stefanos. Because the way he and his father worked together was, if not unique, very particular. It was only thanks to their shared understanding of the game that Stefanos was able to achieve significant results."

"Believe me, all the coaches who worked with him alone did not achieve results. Mark Philippoussis got the best results, but only when he and Apóstolos worked together. A two-coach team. And then Mark, let's say, lost his way because he offered Stefanos individual work. And that did not last long."

She was the one who advised hiring Goran Ivanisevic

"Goran Ivanišević never intended to build a relationship with Tsitsipas. Goran Ivanišević's coaching story begins and ends with a player named Novak Djokovic. He was completely absorbed in him. I saw it, and it struck me. He treated Djokovic like a beloved person who needed unconditional support. Ivanisevic was willing to do anything for Djokovic, ready to pamper any whim. And that won me over."

"It turned out to be an illusion. Watching this relationship, I naively assumed that it could be the same with the next player. But such love happens only once in a lifetime; no one can repeat it. Not only did I advise on his hiring, but I insisted. And I take full responsibility. I take the blame that it was a wrong decision. After all, even the team that worked with Stefanos before he started working with Ivanišević helped him more."

Stefanos' professional break with his father benefitted him

"They managed to come to an agreement. The break benefited them both. Although I respect Apóstolos' work and it suits me for them to continue and not split, I knew a break would help them renew and find a new approach. And it did. Apóstolos understood a lot and changed his attitude. Stefanos matured and became more assertive in his positions and communication."

She explains the peculiarities of her son's tennis

"You see, Stefanos' tennis style is not about pushing himself to the maximum. And that's exactly what any coach would suggest. His on-court routine is more sophisticated. It requires a gentler but more effective training. Apóstolos was famous for never finishing a training session without perfecting some aspect of Stefanos' game."

"I don't say this because I'm his mother. I am, first and foremost, a tennis fan. And when Stefanos played at his best, he reminded me of a symphony. The music starts, develops, continues, and ends just as beautifully. His best matches were like that. Then he accumulated a load, mental and emotional, that made it difficult for him to maintain this particular style of tennis. But that is the essence of his game."

She regrets her son's game hiatus

"It used to seem like Stefanos had more potential. But then players like Sinner and Alcaraz arrived. And against them, many of his weaknesses become evident. Look, Zverev holds the third position in the world ranking. But is he really the third? Does he deserve that position? Sometimes his game crumbles so much that it's simply impossible."

She believes Stefanos has motivation issues

He has so many interests outside of tennis that he cannot fully integrate into this tennis community. It does not stimulate him enough. This could be his first issue in professional sports. And I knew it would be so; I've been with him since childhood. And I knew he would have a motivation problem. To have the same motivation as Sinner and Alcaraz, one must work on it and live for it. You have to wake up and say, "Well, yesterday I made a couple of mistakes on the forehand, failed to shorten the time a couple of times; now I will work on it."

She trusts her son's recovery, but only to a certain extent

"Currently, only two people can win Grand Slam tournaments. What should happen in his life? I think, above all, to continue working with dad. And with me. This will help him return to the level he deserves. Whether among the top three or five, time will tell. I have no doubt he will return to the top 10," concludes the mother of a Stefanos Tsitsipas who hopes that 2026 will be much more positive and calm than 2025.

This news is an automatic translation. You can read the original news, La madre de Tsitsipas, sobre la relación de su hijo con Badosa: "Fue difícil desde el principio"