Former tennis champion Andy Roddick has expressed surprise at Novak Djokovic’s decision to part ways with his long-time coach Goran Ivanisevic. However, Roddick anticipates further changes from the world No.1 in the future.
The announcement of Djokovic and Ivanisevic’s split came earlier this week, marking the end of their highly successful five-year partnership. Under Ivanisevic’s guidance, Djokovic claimed twelve major titles, including three Grand Slam victories in 2023. Despite their achievements together, Djokovic’s recent struggles on the court, failing to secure any titles in the three tournaments he participated in this year, may have prompted the decision for change.
While Djokovic thanked Ivanisevic for his contributions in a heartfelt Instagram post, the reasons behind their separation remain undisclosed. Andy Roddick speculates that there may have been underlying factors influencing this mid-season decision.
In his analysis on The Tennis Channel, Roddick noted, “You don’t typically make moves in March or April unless something significant has prompted it. There had to be something to set this in motion mid-season.”
Roddick further hinted at a potential overhaul within Djokovic’s team, considering his previous split from long-term agent Edoardo Artaldi last year. With Djokovic yet to announce any new additions to his coaching staff, the tennis community awaits eagerly to see who will fill Ivanisevic’s shoes.
Reflecting on Djokovic’s coaching changes, Roddick stated, “Djokovic has undergone significant changes within his team, from management to coaching. I’ll be curious to see who he turns to next.”
In his Instagram post, Djokovic reminisced about inviting Ivanisevic to join his team in 2018, aiming to bring innovation and serve improvement alongside his long-standing coach Marian Vajda. As Djokovic navigates this transition period, the tennis world awaits the next chapter in his coaching journey.