Dual main runner-up turned tennis mediator Mark Philippoussis is quick rising as the ultimate piece within the jigsaw puzzle for Stefanos Tsitsipas as he chases Australian Open glory.
Philippoussis has been a continuing, calming presence within the Tsitsipas field all through the Greek ace’s cost to a fourth semi-final at Melbourne Park in 5 years.
Already armed with all of the photographs within the recreation, Tsitsipas is not leaning on Australia’s one-time world No.8 and two-time Davis Cup winner for serving ideas or techniques.
Instead, Philippoussis has been tasked with easing tensions between the world No.4 and his unstable coach-father Apostolos.
Since becoming a member of Team Tsitsipas after the 24-year-old’s tempestuous third-round Wimbledon defeat to Nick Kyrgios final July, the appointment has been working a deal with.
It’s no secret Tsitsipas’s oft-overbearing dad has led to his son unravelling on court docket a number of occasions, most infamously throughout final 12 months’s Australian Open semi-final loss to Daniil Medevev after Apostolos was caught teaching from the field – earlier than it was legalised in males’s tennis.
Now it is Philippoussis’s thoughts teaching that has Tsitsipas believing he can lastly go all the best way and snare a maiden grand slam crown in Melbourne, two years after blowing a two-set lead within the French Open last in opposition to Novak Djokovic.
“The reason Mark is part of the team is because the dynamic has showed that it’s good,” Tsitsipas mentioned forward of Friday’s semi-final with Russian Karen Khachanov.
“There hasn’t been any friction. It’s been going well. We get along well, all of us. We understand each other.
“There’s by no means misunderstandings or issues that result in battle. I’m having fun with this.
“I’ve been enjoying this even in 2022. He makes for a good guy to have next to my father that can advise him, that can help him, can help me.
“Hopefully I will help him as properly via expertise, vice versa.”
Tsitsipas has rarely looked in better touch in Australia, unbeaten in nine matches this summer, and is the highest-ranked player left in the men’s draw at Melbourne Park.
“I’m feeling nice with my tennis. I do not assume I felt so good in a very long time. I’ll undoubtedly say,” the fourth seed mentioned.
“I’ve mentioned it, I’m a special participant, taking part in completely different. My mentality is completely different. When I’m out on the court docket, I do not actually consider negatives, to be trustworthy. I simply go on the market and play the sport.”
