Big Novak Djokovic decision ‘unlikely to pay off,’ warns former Olympic champion

Former Olympic gold medal winner Marc Rossett has questioned the ‘curious’ decision made by Novak Djokovic to part ways with long-time coach Marian Vajda.  

At the start of this season Novak Djokovic announced that he had split from Slovakian coach Marian Vajda after spending 16 years working together. The pair initially began working together in 2006 and apart from a short spell in 2017, Vajda was always a steady presence throughout his career.

However, Djokovic’s season has been a turbulent one so far. The Serbian has only played in two tournaments all year after being unable to compete in Australia and at the ‘Sunshine Double’ events due to his vaccination status.

He currently has two wins and two losses to his name this year, with his most recent defeat coming in the second round of the Monte Carlo Masters to young Spaniard Alejandro Davidovich Fokina.

Discussing his latest defeat and current form, Rossett has questioned the decision of the world number one to split from Vajda, believing that it could be a potential mistake.

“There is still something bothering me about Djokovic,” he said. “I’m curious to see what it will be like now that he broke up with his long-time coach, Marian Vajda. Last time it happened, it didn’t pay off.”

Djokovic now has former Wimbledon champion Goran Ivanisevic in his corner as his sole coach after working together since Wimbledon 2018. Rossett commented on this particular pairing, suggesting that Vajda still holds a stronger bond with the Serbian than Ivanisevic does.

“We’ll see if he manages to be as strong as ever without his trusted man,” Rossett said.

“Of course, Goran Ivanisevic will always be there, but it’s not the same lemonade between them. They don’t have that 15-year relationship or that closeness.”

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