Former world No.1 Novak Djokovic has dismissed three members of his coaching team in a bid to get the ‘winning spark’ back in his game.
The shock announcement comes after what has been a tentative start to the season by the Serbian. Since winning the Doha Open at the start of the year, Djokovic has failed to reach the semifinals at four consecutive tournaments. At the Monte Carlo Masters, he bowed out in the quarterfinals to David Goffin.
“I want to continue raising the level of my game and stamina and this is a continuous process. I enjoy this journey, it feels like I am starting something new again and I love this challenge. I am a hunter and my biggest goal is to find the winning spark on the court again,” said Djokovic.
One of the names axed from Djokovic’s team is long-time supporter Marian Vajda. The Slovakian coach has been a member of Djokovic’s camp since 2006 and was his principal mentor between 2006- 2013 before Boris Becker. Despite the dismissal, Vajda said in a statement published on Djokovic’s official website that the two will ‘continue consulting each other.’
Joining Vajda on the way out is fitness coach Gebhard Phil Gritsch and physiotherapist Miljan Amanovic.
“I am forever grateful to Marian, GG and Miljan for decade of friendship, professionalism and commitment to my career goals. Without their support I couldn’t have achieved these professional heights.” The world No.2 said about the trio.
“I know they completely dedicated themselves and their lives to help me achieve my dreams and they were always my driving force and wind in my back. It was not an easy decision, but we all felt that we need a change.”
For the foreseeable future, Djokovic will continue his work on the tour with the support of both his family and manager. Describing the bold move as ‘shock therapy,’ the 29-year-old confirmed that he is not rushing to find a new head coach.
Djokovic will return to action next week at the Madrid Open, where he is the defending champion in the event. It is unclear as to what his future plans will be with his wife Jelena also due to give birth later this year.
What has Djokovic’s team said?
Marian Vajda (former head coach)
“I gave everything I could as a coach and I am very proud of our results. We arrived to the point where we all realized we need new energy in the team. Novak can do so much more and I am sure he will. I am convinced that he will remain at the top of the tennis for many years and that he will bring a lot of joy to all the tennis fans around the world with his victories.”
Gebhard Gritsch (fitness coach)
“It was a great privilege to have worked with Novak for exactly eight years to the day. It is the dream of every coach to be able to work with an athlete as gifted, professional and committed as Novak. We kept pushing the limits and found new ways to improve.”
“I have no doubt that he will be back on top of the game again. He is a champion and a warrior and the sky is the limit for him.”
Miljan Amanovic (physio)
“Novak is my best friend and my brother. I spent more time with him than with my family in the past 10 years. Nothing will change between us as our lives are interconnected in so many ways.”
Djokovic’s 2017 performance
Doha – Champion (defeated Andy Murray in the final)
Australian Open – R2 (lost to Denis Istomin)
Acapulco – QF (lost to Nick Kyrgios)
Indian Wells – R4 (lost to Nick Kyrgios
Miami – withdrew due to injury
Monte Carlo – QF (lost to David Goffin)
Wins against Top-20 players – Andy Murray (Doha) and Pablo Carreno Busta (Monte Carlo).
Losses against Top-20 players – Nick Kyrgios (Acapulco, Miami) and David Goffin (Monte Carlo).
Current 2017 win-loss = 14-4
