Goran Ivanisevic reveals ‘perfect person’ to takeover coaching Novak Djokovic
Novak Djokovic split from long-term coach Goran Ivanisevic last week, and now the Croatian has revealed who he wants to takeover mentoring his former player.
Djokovic and Ivanisevic worked together for five years, winning nine Grand Slam titles, seven Masters 1000 crowns, and claimed two ATP Finals victories.
Novak Djokovic has parted ways with his coach Goran Ivanisevic ????
The pair had been working together since the summer of 2019. pic.twitter.com/mBkmRHK2IJ
— Eurosport (@eurosport) March 27, 2024
And Ivanisevic has suggested former doubles No.1 Nenad Zimonjic as the perfect fit for Djokovic, “I don’t know for how much longer Novak plans to keep on playing, but the perfect person is with him at the moment – Ziki (Nenad Zimonjic).
“He is a great friend of mine, we went through a lot together and I love him. He has a vast tennis knowledge, but what is most important – he knows Novak really well.”
Zimonjic and Djokovic have competed in doubles together on multiple occasions, and were both part of Serbia’s winning Davis Cup team in 2010.
Djokovic has recently admitted that he does not have a ‘clear idea’ on his next coaching move, but Ivanisevic thinks it has to be someone that the world No.1 is familiar with.
“At the moment, Novak doesn’t need someone completely new, who is yet to get to know him,” claimed the 2001 Wimbledon champion. “Let’s say 10 days pass, Novak ‘goes crazy’ and this new coach is left wondering what is going on.”
Ivanisevic added, “Ziki can help him tennis-wise. Novak does know everything already, but it will be refreshing for him to maybe hear the same thing from someone else, with a different approach. Ziki knows Novak’s mentality really well, they collaborated in the Davis Cup as well.”
One of Djokovic’s main goals for this season is to win gold at the Paris Olympics, something that has eluded his decorated career so far having only won bronze back in 2008.
Despite this, Ivanisevic has suggested that the Paris Olympics could be the Games where Djokovic finally achieves his dream, “I believe that Novak will find motivation, I am sure of it. I wish him Olympic gold with all my heart, even more than the Slams.
“It’s something that he wants, he feels like he owes it to someone, although he doesn’t owe anyone anything… I wish for him to succeed in the Olympics.”
Djokovic is set to return to the ATP Tour next week on the clay at the Monte Carlo Masters, where he has been pictured with the aforementioned Zimonjic.
Inside the baseline…
First and foremost, it is great to see that Novak Djokovic and Goran Ivanisevic are so supportive of each other, despite the split. Ivanisevic makes a very valid point, because realistically at this stage of Djokovic’s career he is only going to want to take advice from someone that he is familiar with and trusts. It will be interesting to see if Nenad Zimonjic is that person, as it seems likely that Ivanisevic has inside knowledge.
READ NEXT – Jannik Sinner: My main objective is Roland Garros
Join >> Receive $700/£600 of tennis gear from the Tennishead CLUB
Social >> Facebook, Twitter & YouTube
Read >> World’s best tennis magazine
Shop >> Lowest price tennis gear from our trusted partner
