According to Jack McEachen of Express on Wednesday, men’s tennis world number one Novak Djokovic of Belgrade, Serbia, is splitting with his coach, Goran Ivanisevic of Split, Croatia. There is great irony that Ivanisevic is from Split based on the events from this past week.
Ivanisevic was the coach of Djokovic since 2019. Over the last five years since Ivanisevic came on board on June 30, 2019, Djokovic has won a remarkable nine grand slam singles titles. He was victorious at the 2019, 2021 and 2022 Wimbledon, the 2020, 2021 and 2023 Australian Open, the 2021 and 2023 French Open, and 2023 United States Open.
When you consider the fact that Djokovic has won 24 grand slam titles, and more than a third have been with Ivanisevic in is box, there is no doubt that Ivanisevic has had a significant impact. It will be now interesting to see who Ivanisevic coaches next. In addition to Djokovic, Ivanisevic has coached Marin Cilic of Croatia, Tomas Berdych of Valasske Mezirici, Czech Republic, and Milos Raonic of Thornhill, Ontario, Canada. While Ivanisevic was coaching Cilic, the Croat also won a grand slam singles title. In the 2014 United States Open men’s final, Ivanisevic beat Kei Nishikori of Matsue, Japan, 6-3, 6-3, 6-3.
As a player, Ivanisevic also was a grand slam singles champion. In 2001, he beat Mount Isa, Australia’s own Patrick Rafter in a remarkable five set match, 6-3, 3-6, 6-3, 2-6. 9-7.
In all, Djokovic has had 16 coaches in his tennis career since 1993 when he was six years old. The chemistry between Djokovic and Ivanisevic was not always sound as many times Djokovic would squabble at Ivanisevic. However, it was definitely a successful partnership.
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