Parting Ways with Ivanisevic Was a Simple Decision

By Chris Oddo | @TheFanChild | Saturday April 6, 2024

Novak Djokovic talked about his parting of the ways with longtime coach Goran Ivanisevic, and assessed the breakout performance of newly minted Grand Slam champion and World No.2 Jannik Sinner during media day at the Monte-Carlo Rolex Masters.

The 24-time major champion, who will bid for his third Monte-Carlo title and first since 2015, says that the decision to part with Ivanisevic after nearly five world-class years.

“We just both felt that we gave each other in this relationship the maximum and it was time to move on. It is very simple,” Djokovic said. “He remains one of the most successful coaches in the history of the game, what we have done is something that can’t be deleted. The results and history speak for itself and he remains a good friend of me and my family.”

Djokovic, who will begin his Monte-Carlo campaign against Roman Safiullin or a qualifier, said that he is enjoying working with Nenad Zimonjic at the moment, but hasn’t made any commitments to continue working with his former Davis Cup Captain.

“I’m not in a hurry at all. I’ve had a friendship with Nenad for many years,” Djokovic said. “I’ve known him since I was a kid. And he’s always helped me out as a mentor – as an older brother really, as somebody that has been through a lot of things that I’m going through that I was going through. So that friendly relationship that we have, this is the reason why we are here today.

“We’ll see how it goes. These several weeks that we’ve been together have been really enjoyable for me on the court – we don’t have any commitment yet. So let’s see how it all progresses.”

Sinner? Best in the World Right Now

Djokovic was full of praise for Jannik Sinner, who is the No.2 seed at Monte-Carlo and fresh off his Miami triumph, which was his third title of 2024.

“He’s been playing some amazing tennis and he’s been the best player in the world this year so far, no doubt,” Djokovic said. “He’s been, you know, probably playing the tennis of his life. He lost only one match in the entire year and won three tournaments. So just the level has been incredible to witness.”

Djokovic talked about the subtle changes that are currently making a difference for the 22-year-old Italian, particularly his serve and his tactics.

“He’s a great guy and is really devoted,” Djokovic said. “He’s got a really good team of people around him and it doesn’t come as a surprise really, because I know how much work he puts in, day in and day out.

“He was always very talented and playing powerful tennis but I think now he does it with more margin. He doesn’t make as many mistakes and his service motion has changed which was a very big decision, to make from him and his coaching stuff but it paid off because it has become a huge weapon of his.”