Ex-Wimbledon champion tells what it is exactly that Novak Djokovic needs now

2013 Wimbledon champion Marion Bartoli thinks Novak Djokovic would do exactly effective with no coach tennis-wise nevertheless it’s simply that he wants somebody to assist him inspire himself once more to maintain going after all the things that he has already achieved. 

After a historic 2023 season, Djokovic hasn’t been wanting like his standard self firstly of 2024. After being dismantled by Jannik Sinner within the Australian Open semifinal, Djokovic wasn’t as much as his commonplace on the Indian Wells Masters both, having shockingly misplaced within the third spherical to qualifier Luca Nardi. 

Djokovic, who regarded like he was lacking some spark and that one thing was simply off in his recreation in these first few tournaments, reacted by making a radical transfer and firing Ivanisevic. Following his abrupt choice to half methods with Ivanisevic, the 36-year-old Serb admitted they obtained saturated of working collectively and that each wanted one thing new.

Two days after splitting with Ivanisevic, Djokovic was noticed practising with former doubles world No. 1 Nenad Zimonjic they usually additionally traveled collectively to Monte Carlo. In Zimonjic, Djokovic has somebody he is aware of fairly properly and somebody who in all probability has an excellent image of what he wants at this second. 

Reflecting on all the things that has occurred over the past 10 days, former world No. 7 Bartoli thinks it isn’t about teaching itself however somewhat Djokovic discovering the correct individual to proceed with. 

“I believe there was a little bit of weariness. I inform myself that he made this choice to attempt to give himself a lift,” Bartoli instructed L’Equipe.

“Nenad (Zimonjic) goes to do Monte‐Carlo with him, after which they’ll see. At this stage of his profession, it isn’t even teaching that Novak actually wants anymore, he is aware of all the things he does to the millimeter. I believe he needs to create a dynamic to have a brand new lease of life. 

“Nenad is aware of him extraordinarily properly, notably due to the Davis Cup. And having performed with him as a legend at Wimbledon in 2022, I do know that he had spent the fortnight with him.”

Is Zimonjic changing into Djokovic’s coach a completed deal?

When requested if he had discovered a substitute for Ivanisevic final Thursday, Djokovic stated he did not have a coach and claimed that he wasn’t even positive if he would rent one. 

However then, the next days Serbian reporters pictured Djokovic on the follow courtroom with Zimonjic. Naturally, that led to many believing that Djokovic had determined to rent Zimonjic or was leaning towards making that call. 

“I nonetheless haven’t got a transparent concept who it could possibly be and whether or not there might be anybody in any respect,” Djokovic stated in Belgrade a day after he formally introduced the top of his partnership with Ivanisevic.

“Merely, I’ve at all times had a coach from a younger age. I am making an attempt now to really feel what pleases me for the time being and what I believe is important. You’ll be knowledgeable in time, in fact, if somebody comes.”

Ivanisevic hopes Zimonjic turns into Djokovic’s new coach

Whereas Djokovic is presently with Zimonjic – a former three-time males’s Grand Slam doubles champion and a former five-time combined doubles champion – in Monte Carlo, the 24-time Grand Slam champion hasn’t but made any official bulletins relating to their work.

However since Zimonjic is accompanying Djokovic in Monte Carlo, it’s clear that they’ll at the very least work for the following week. 

Requested to handle Djokovic being noticed with Zimonjic, Ivanisevic declared him “the proper individual” for the world No. 1 and identical to Bartoli, the Croatian added that working with somebody he already is aware of might be what the 36-year-old wants at this stage of his profession. 

“A very powerful factor on this entire story is that he is aware of Novak,” Ivanisevic instructed Sport Klub.

“Novak does not want a brand new coach now (somebody he does not already know), till he will get to know him, this (Novak) would go ‘loopy’ after ten days, and that coach would marvel what was occurring. 

“My principle is – a Balkan man can practice anybody, however solely an individual from this space can practice a Balkan man. Marjan (Vajda) is Slovak, however we’re shut, whereas Boris labored very properly with him, as he’s a really clever individual in tennis. He helped him lots.”

When Djokovic kicks off his Monte Carlo marketing campaign, many might be taken with seeing if firing Ivanisevic and giving a shock remedy to himself will result in the Serb taking part in higher and doubtlessly profitable his first title of the 2024 season. If Djokovic wins Monte Carlo this yr, that might be his third title on the match.