Novak Djokovic splits from coach Goran Ivanisevic after 12 Grand Slams

These are changing times for Novak Djokovic, tennis’s world No. 1 and the most decorated player of all time.

He did not start 2024 as he usually does, between losing in the semi-finals of his promised land, the Australian Open to Jannik Sinner, not getting past the second match at Indian Wells (losing to the young Luca Nardi) and skipping Miami. He even acknowledged his poor form.

“It was a very poor performance, I’m not used to not winning,” he explained. And weeks later he has announced that he is breaking away from a key member of his team, his coach Goran Ivanisevic. The Croatian was a legend (2001 Wimbledon champion), and as a coach, he reached 12 majors with ‘Nole’.

“We decided to break up a few days ago. Our chemistry has ups and downs, but our friendship does not. In fact, I’m proud because in addition to winning tournaments we had a Parcheesi battle… and that won’t stop,” the Serb explained on his social media.

As a result things will change after 12 majors and weeks and weeks at the top of the ATP rankings. “I clearly remember the moment. I called him in 2018 and we wanted to innovate our game. Other things came as well, like fun and happiness. Also No. 1s, records and 12 majors (plus some finals). And do I have to mention the drama?” recalls Djokovic.

It was a successful union. Djokovic worked with Marian Vajda (who is also not around today) and called on Ivanisevic, who had already won in New York with Cilic in addition to his long playing career. Nole exploded with a second youth that served to unbalance his ‘mythical’ battle with Rafa Nadal and Roger Federer, and help him become the monarch of tennis.

It was not easy, because along the way came that troubled 2020. Between the non-participation in Australia, the non-vaccination of Covid-19 in the middle of the world pandemic and a Djokovic who came to the fore for issues unrelated to tennis. But his game prevailed and he accelerated to reach the Grand Slam in 2021, where he was one final away from winning it, and in 2023, when Carlos Alcaraz took it away from him in the fifth set of the Wimbledon final.

“Who am I to be angry with him? He is the best player in the history of tennis. Sometimes I can only get angry with him when he yells at us for no reason. When he loses a match, he always gives his best and tries his best. But it’s not easy to deal with him when he’s losing,” Ivanisevic said of his pupil. They reigned.

Djokovic’s consistency always existed, but he got better at managing the schedule. He went a step further to understand his body and dominated with that unbreakable union between a solid game, an elite defense and ability to change within the match. And a prodigious mind.

Djokovic’s team

Perhaps no one will match Djokovic with the Split coach, as he has had many coaches, although almost always maintaining a similar line. Vajda with Ivanisevic was the winning pairing par excellence, but other legendary names such as Andre Agassi and Boris Becker also passed through the Balkan’s box.

In addition to important managers such as Mario Ancic, Jelena Gencic, Gebhard Gristch, Todd Martin or even Radek Stepanek.

His team will vary. Charly Gmez-Herrera changed his role and continues to grow in the ranks of ‘Team Nole’ as a manager, his brother is a regular in the player’s box, but the figure of head coach will have variations. Djokovic made history with Ivanisevic and now is going through change. After 12 Grand Slams and leading the race to be the greatest.