Novak Djokovic confirms reports of split amid 'new chapter' for tennis champion

Novak Djokovic has confirmed rumours he has split with long-time agent Edoardo Artaldi after winning his 24th grand slam title. The tennis great has decided to switch his 'off-court approach', confirming the pair have gone their separate ways during the Paris Masters.

Djokovic and Artaldi worked together since early 2008 and it remains unknown whether Artaldi, a close friend of Djokovic, would stay on his team in a different capacity. After beating Tomas Martin Etcheverry in the Paris Masters, Djokovic looks to finish the year as World No.1 and will see about a complete overhaul of his backroom staff moving into 2024.

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"We stay friends but professionally we decided to go different ways. I’m entering a new chapter about the off-court approach," Djokovic said when speaking on the split with Artaldi. "The transition is not easy but I’m moving forward."

The exit of Artaldi is a major one as he has been by Djokovic's side since for 15 years, following the Serb taking out his maiden major title, the 2008 Australian Open. Artaldi previously told SBS that he and Djokovic basically lived together as the World No.1 toured the world. “Jelena (his wife) and I try to create the atmosphere he needs, given how much time he spends around the world and away from his family," Artaldi previously said.

Djokovic went through a massive overhaul of his team in 2017 where he changed Artaldi's role from coach to physio and then to agent. However, the pair have now parted ways completely as Djokovic looks to make changes to help him dominate the world tennis stage once again.

Novak Djokovic back to his best in Paris

The Serb demonstrated he is well and truly back by sweeping past Etcheverry in the second round of the Paris Masters. Djokovic, who competed in his first singles match since mid-September when he played for Serbia in the group stage of the Davis Cup, easing through 6-3 6-2 on Wednesday.

"At the beginning of the match, it was a bit difficult for me to find the rhythm," the top seed admitted after that win. "But at the end of the second set, it was really good."

A six-time champion at the Paris Masters, Djokovic is seeking to extend the gap over World No.2 Carlos Alcaraz in the race for the year-end top spot after the Spaniard bowed out to qualifier Roman Safiullin on Tuesday. Alcaraz is the only player who can overtake Djokovic after Daniil Medvedev dropped out of contention - when the Russian was beaten by Grigor Dimitrov 6-3 6-7 (4-7) 7-6 (7-2) on Wednesday.

Djokovic struggled before escaping with a 4-6 7-6 (7-2) 6-4 win over Tallon Griekspoor on Thursday, revealing he had been ill. "I've been struggling the last couple of days with my stomach and I just didn't feel myself at all," Djokovic said after securing a quarter-final clash with sixth seed Holger Rune, who was a 6-3 6-3 winner over Daniel Altmaier.

with AAP

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