The under-expected start to 2024 has left traces in Novak Djokovic’s box, where we will no longer see Goran Ivanisevic, his successful coach in recent years. In pursuit of Olympic gold (Nole’s only major goal so far), the world leader could make a major sacrifice this season.
Novak DjokovicPhoto: David GRAY / AFP / Profimedia
Djokovic could sacrifice participation at Wimbledon to become Olympic champion in Paris
Parting with Goran, the successful coach with whom Nole (36 years old) enriched his CV with nine Grand Slam titles, would not have happened under the best conditions.
According to Craig Shapiro (reputed ESPN commentator), the breakup between Nole and Goran would have taken place after a tense moment.
The journalist specializing in tennis, quoted by Eurosport, talks about an incident that would have taken place before Djokovic’s surprising defeat at Indian Wells against the unknown Luca Nardi (the Italian was at that time ranked 123 ATP, and on the main draw of arrived as a lucky loser).
Shapiro presents some at least interesting details: Unsatisfied with the level of intensity with which the Djoker was preparing, Ivanisevic would have reproached the ATP leader for this. It would have been the straw that started the storm, and we all know the end result: breaking up with Goran.
>> Goran Ivanisevic says how hard it is to coach Novak Djokovic: “Constant stress”
Nole, unhappy with Goran after winning nine Grand Slam titles together
According to essentiallysports, sources from Djokovic’s entourage would have said that the Serbian “feels unhappy with his team”.
In 2024, Novak has 8 wins, 3 losses and has not won any ATP tournament.
Champion at Wimbledon in 2001, Goran Ivanisevic was co-opted into Nole’s team in 2019, after having previously coached Marin Cilic (2013-2016), Tomas Berdych (2016-2017) and Milos Raonic (2018-2019).
Djokovic triumphed alongside Ivanisevic at the following competitions: Australian Open (three times), Wimbledon (three times), Roland Garros (twice), US Open (once), plus seven Masters titles (ATP 1000) .
Gold at the Olympics for Serbia, Djokovic’s big dream
Craig Shapiro presents an at least interesting scenario for this summer: Nole would be willing to miss Wimbledon in order to be in top shape for the Paris Olympics.
With the clay season coming to an end (the really important competitions) after Roland Garros (the final will take place on June 9), the Joker would consider it inopportune to make the switch to grass (where, despite losing in last year’s final, he is a heavy favorite at winning Wimbledon), and then to return to the Porte d’Auteuil complex to try to win the Olympic gold.
Going from clay to grass and then back to clay could be difficult even for a great champion like Nole.
It is known that Djokovic has stated many times that the big goal for 2024 is to win the gold medal for Serbia. It is, in fact, the only major victory missing from the Belgrade-born athlete’s impressive CV.
Djokovic says he doesn’t know who could be his coach and is in no rush to find one at the moment
Present at an event that took place in Belgrade on Thursday, Nole was asked by journalists from his country about the future coach.
“First of all, Goran is a friend for life, for me and my family,” Djokovic began his speech about the new coach.
“I still don’t have a clear idea of who the new coach might be or if there will be one. I’ve had coaches since I was a kid, now I’m trying to feel on my own what I need, what I’m most comfortable with at this point in my life. You will be informed if someone joins my team,” Nole said, quoted by the well-known Serbian journalist Sasa Ozmo.
Throughout his career, Djokerul has worked with coaches such as Riccardo Piatti, Nikola Pilic, Todd Martin, Mario Ancic, Andre Agassi, Boris Becker, Radek Stepanek, Marian Vajda and Goran Ivanisevic.
Novak Djokovic’s main records
Born on May 22, 1987, in Belgrade, Djokovic currently holds many tennis records, but the most important are the following three: most Grand Slam titles, most Masters tournaments (ATP 1000) and most many weeks off the ATP leaderboard.
1st place ATP at the end of the season
1 Novak Djokovic 8
2 Pete Sampras 6
3 Roger Federer / Jimmy Connors / Rafael Nadal 5 etc.
Ranking of Grand Slam titles
1 Novak Djokovic 24
2 Rafael Nadal 22
3 Roger Federer 20 (retired)
Ranking of Masters tournaments
1 Novak Djokovic 39
2 Rafael Nadal 36
3 Roger Federer 28 (retired)
Weeks at No. 1 ATP
1 Novak Djokovic 418
2 Roger Federer 301
3 Pete Sampras 286 etc.
Tournament of Champions, most titles
1 Novak Djokovic 7 (2008, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2022, 2023)
2 Roger Federer 6 (2003, 2004, 2006, 2007, 2010, 2011)
3 Ivan Lendl 5 (1981, 1982, 1985, 1986, 1987)
3 Pete Sampras 5 (1991, 1994, 1996, 1997, 1999)
5 Ilie Nastase 4 (1971, 1972, 1973, 1975) etc.
