Novak Djokovic makes stunning call on who might replace Goran Ivanisevic as tennis coach

Novak Djokovic has made an eye-opening revelation about who his next tennis coach could be, having parted ways with Goran Ivanisevic earlier this year. Djokovic announced the end of his six-year partnership with Ivanisevic last month after the Croatian coach helped the Serb win all four of the grand slams during their successful stint together.

But things haven't gone so smoothly for Djokovic in 2024, and the 36-year-old hasn't won a title or made a final in four tournaments - something almost unheard of for the equal-greatest major winner in tennis history. Djokovic was eliminated in the semi-finals of the Australian Open and lost at Indian Wells in the round of 32, before deciding to part ways with Ivanisevic.

The Serb has been undergoing a trial period with his country's former Davis Cup captain Nenad Zimonjić, and the pair teamed up at the recent Monte Carlo Masters, where Djokovic lost to Casper Ruud in the semi-finals. The 36-year-old is still weighing up whether to appoint Zimonjić on a full-time basis and revealed at the 25th Laureus World Sports Awards that he could even decide to go without a mentor and coach himself.

“I am considering that as well, whether I should or shouldn’t have the coach,” Djokovic said. “I had a really good time with Nenad Zimonjić as my coach the last three weeks so we’re talking about continuing and seeing. Let’s see, I’m going to make the decision in the next period...

“I’m not rushing. I feel like playing tennis over 20 years and having a lot of different teams and coaches, it’s not like I think I don’t need a coach at all. I think there’s always value in having that quality team and fitness coach, physio, mental coach. It’s all important. It creates a formula for success and helps you perform better, train better, recover better. Stay on the top for as long as you can. But I think I’m in the stage of my career where I can afford to maybe think having no coach is also an option. Let’s see. I’m going to make my decision soon.”

Novak Djokovic to return in Rome after skipping Madrid Open

Djokovic was speaking after picking up a fifth Laureus World Sportsman of the Year award, following a sensational 2023 season in which he won three out of four grand slams to equal Margaret Court's all-time record of 24 major titles. Djokovic also confirmed he was skipping the Madrid Open as he looks to rest his body ahead of a French Open title defence.

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The Serb has won the Madrid Open three times, but has only played in the Spanish capital once since his triumph in 2019. The 36-year-old will still fancy his chances in Paris even if he has enjoyed a below-par season-to-date and revealed that his next clay court tournament is set to be at the Rome Masters next month.

“Unfortunately I will not be playing in the Madrid Open this year, hopefully next year – I’m still young, I have time," he told reporters at the Laureus Awards night in Madrid. "But I’m preparing my body to be ready particularly for Roland Garros, Wimbledon, Olympic Games and US Open. That’s the most important block of the year for me. I’m intending on playing in Rome, so I hope I can be there, be ready. This year has been a bit different for me, the start, I’m still finding my best level of tennis. Hopefully that can still come in Roland Garros.”

with agencies