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Tennis fans have shared mixed reactions to Stefanos Tsitsipas' father Apostolos' confrontation with the chair umpire after being reprimanded for his constant chatter in the Greek's semifinal clash at the 2024 Barcelona Open.
Just a week after his Monte-Carlo Masters triumph, Tsitsipas advanced to the final of the ATP 500 event in Barcelona with a hard-fought 5-7, 6-4, 6-2 comeback win over Dusan Lajovic.
Beyond the Greek's on-court heroics, the conversation surrounding the clash focused on his father, Apostolos, being reprimanded by chair umpire Nacho Forcadell for constantly talking to his son between points.
Tennis journalist Jose Morgado detailed the altercation between Stefanos Tsitsipas' father and the chair umpire, emphasizing that the World No. 7 was talking to his father after every point.
"Farcadell had to step down from the chair to stop the chat between Stefanos Tsitsipas and his dad between sets. Tsitsipas keeps talking to Apostolos after every point. No warnings so far...," he posted on X (formerly Twitter).
Apostolos Tsitsipas has frequently come under fire for his conduct during his son's matches, prompting criticism from fans for his latest "annoying" transgression.
"Not great PR. His dad is not helping Stef’s image one bit. The most annoying person. It’s like watching a movie and someone next to you keeps yapping and asking questions," one fan commented.
"I am so fed up with Apostolos !!! what an annoying family!" another fan chimed in.
"He’s very very annoying. Maybe a couple hefty fines?," said another.
However, other fans claimed double standards, arguing that Carlos Alcaraz doesn't face the same scrutiny despite engaging in similar conversations with his coach, Juan Carlos Ferrero, during matches.
"No one complains when Alcaraz does this," one fan commented.
"Doesn’t Carlos do this on a daily basis?" another fan questioned.
Fans also cited the examples of Daniil Medvedev and Alexander Zverev, asserting that they too did not endure the same complaints as Stefanos Tsitsipas and his father.
"Plenty of players do it (Medvedev, Alcaraz, and Zverev to name a few), yet you have never spoken about that or seem to have an issue with them. And as irritating as Tsitsipas’ father can be, at this point they are just easy targets," one fan argued.
"Plenty of players do it (Medvedev, Alcaraz, and Zverev to name a few), yet you have never spoken about that or seem to have an issue with them," another fan wrote.
Stefanos Tsitsipas - "I have no intention of ever changing my dad, people are always going to try to destroy what you have"
Even in the face of fans' concerns about his partnership with his father, Stefanos Tsitsipas has emphasized that he has no intention of distancing himself from his father, despite rumors or attempts to "destroy" their relationship.
"He is here to stay I mean I have no intention of ever changing my dad or pushing him away, you know people are always going to try and I don’t know..try and create rumors or try to destroy what you have with someone that is really close to you in any way or form. He is someone that cannot be excluded," Stefanos Tsitsipas said.
Tsitsipas faces Casper Ruud in the Barcelona Open final, in a rematch of their recent Monte-Carlo Masters final, which the Greek won 6-1, 6-4. The winner of the match will clinch their maiden ATP 500 title.
