Stefanos Tsitsipas is 'learning a lot every day' with new coach Goran Ivanisevic

Whether it's clay or hard courts, Stefanos Tsitsipas has historically always been a force to be reckoned with. He has already reached the final of the Grand Slam tournaments in Australia and Paris, winning eight tournaments on hard court and five on clay.

But the last 12 months has been a different story, as the 26-year-old has struggled for consistency.

Last year, he eventually parted ways with his father as his coach and after his second-round exit at Roland Garros at the end of May, the big announcement of a new one followed. Goran Ivanisevic, former world No. 2 and ex-coach of Marin Cilic and Novak Djokovic, would now be supporting him.

Ahead of the Terra Wortmann Open in Halle, Tsitsipas spoke to Tennis Channel DE on what he's already enjoying about the early days of working with the International Tennis Hall of Famer.

Tsitsipas on working with Ivanisevic: ‘Serving is a priority!’

The collaboration began immediately after Paris, as Tsitsipas confirmed in an interview with Tennis Channel DE.

"We have already started working together and I am learning a lot every day," he said.

The two-time Grand Slam finalist says he wants to draw on his new coach's greatest strength.

"Well, I think it's fair to say that Goran is one of the best servers of all time," he said. "So I think the serve is definitely one of the priorities."

As a Wimbledon champion in 2001, 22-time ATP title winner and former world No. 2, Ivanisevic has much more to offer, as Tsitsipas acknowledged.

He also has a wealth of experience in his career, both as a coach and as a player. That's why I try to learn as much as possible from him. Stefanos Tsitsipas

Tsitsipas has only celebrated one of his 14 ATP tournament victories on grass, in Mallorca in 2022. But with Ivanisevic, who reached three other finals at Wimbledon in addition to his win, he is now in an ideal position to prepare for the next Grand Slam tournament in London.

Tsitsipas will be competing for the fifth time in Halle, where he is unseeded. The Greek player has repeatedly emphasised his keen interest in culture, his love of travel and his desire to get to know different countries, cities and ways of life. Between Roland Garros and Halle, he enjoyed a vacation with his girlfriend Paula Badosa in Ibiza.

"We had a great time exploring the island," he said. "I tried pretty much everything the island has to offer, from the peaceful countryside to the livelier spots. My holiday was very varied, which I am very grateful for, as it allowed me to escape everyday life and maybe even relax properly before the grass season starts again."

Germany has the most passionate fans he's ever seen

Upon arriving in Germany, he was particularly looking forward to Apfelschorle, a German drink combining apple juice and sparkling water, as he happily announced to Tennis Channel DE.

"That's the first thing I do when I come back here," he smiled.

But the Greek is just as excited to see the German fans in Halle, whom he admires above all for their passion.

"I think Germany has the most fanatical tennis fans," he said. "I say that because I see them waiting outside the hotel. I've been watching them for many years, since my first year here, and I can say with great certainty that they are the most passionate tennis fans I've ever seen."

Whether it's with a new coach, some well-deserved rest in Paris or his passionate fans, Tsitsipas has put himself in an ideal position ahead of Halle to start the grass court season and enjoy more successful weeks. He will face his first test on Monday when he takes on Luciano Darderi in the first round.