“This has to stop!” Fans lash out at Stefanos Tsitsipas over on-court coaching controversy at the Monte-Carlo Masters
Mia Walsh
Updated on March 31, 2026
Stefanos Tsitsipas made a winning start to his title defense at the 2022 Monte-Carlo Masters after he defeated Fabio Fognini in the second round. The Greek was dominant throughout the match and completely outplayed Fognini to win 6-3, 6-0.
However, his win was marred by an incident during the match. The Italian accused Tsitsipas of receiving on-court coaching from his team. During the match, Tsitsipas was constantly seen conversing with his father on multiple occasions. Fognini was visibly annoyed over it and gave a cold handshake to Tsitsipas after the match. He took to Instagram to share his displeasure over it saying ‘Coaching or not coaching, that’s a big problem!”
This isn’t the first time either that Tsitsipas was accused of receiving on-court coaching. At the 2022 Australian Open, the 23-year-old received multiple code violations for receiving illegal coaching from his father, who is also his coach, Apostolos. During his semi-finals clash in Melbourne against Daniil Medvedev, the Russian had a heated exchange with the umpire for not interfering when Tsitsipas was clearly receiving instructions from his father during the match.
🚨 Caught red-handed! 🚨
Check out the vision that shows the Tsitsipas camp caught in a STING by the umpires! 😲#AusOpen – live on Channel 9 and 9Now. Ad-Free Live & On Demand on Stan Sport
— Wide World of Sports (@wwos) January 28, 2022
This prompted a tournament referee to monitor Tsitsipas’ player box in a so-called ‘sting operation’. Tsitsipas was caught in the act and this time officials had video evidence to back it up. He received a warning from the umpire subsequent to that.
The multiple code violations he received recently, clearly weren’t enough, as Tsitsipas is still involved in the same antics, clearly seen in his match against Fognini. While Tsitsipas has long proclaimed his approval for introducing on-court coaching, it is still an illegal move as of now.
Fans react to the Stefanos Tsitsipas- Fabio Fognini incident
Fans had a mixed reaction to the incident as some said Fognini’s behavior was unsportsmanlike while others said Tsitsipas should be penalized over the illegal move. But most of the criticism was on Tsitsipas’ father and some said this is not the first time either and they are yet to face any repercussions over it.
Didn't Stef do the same after losing to Daniil at AO2022? A lot of them have lot to learn about sportsmanship.
— Tahseen Kamal, Ph.D. (ANU), FHEA (she/her) (@tkamal16) April 12, 2022
This behavior from fognini is not just childish, it’s unsportsmanlike
— Christina (@christie_bl) April 12, 2022
not like Tsitsipas isn't a bit childish himself… really funny how the double standards in ATP go. Certain people ar just targets for sniping while others are given the bye
— Mary C Legg (@pogomcl2) April 13, 2022
Fognini was constantly talking with his box… like he always does. If he is so perturbed about Tsitsipas’ father’s alleged coaching – alleged because most of the times he’s just motivating and pumping tsitsi, not coaching per se – he should stop communicating with his box.
— Noah (@CK10714240) April 13, 2022
It has to stop with Tsitsipas' father. Either enforce the rules or get the rid of the rules, but Tsitsipas' father blatantly ignores them. @atptour
— AllAboutTennisBlog (@TennisBlogger1) April 12, 2022
But seriously, Tsitsipas’s dad is a problem. He needs to be suspended or banned.
— ToTo’s little Wolff (@Jummai_a) April 12, 2022
