Despite his recent silence on the matter, multiple Czech media sources have reported that Radek Stepanek will join Novak Djokovic’s coaching team in 2018.
The 38-year-old recently announced his retirement from the sport after 21 years on the professional tour. Last year week, Stepanek told Idnes.cz that he was in no hurry about what he plans to do in the future.
“Now for a few days I’ll disappear. And I think what I’ll do next.” He said. “For years, I hurried from the match to the hotel, from the hotel to the airport. I was in a hurry. Now I have plenty of time to find the right way forward (for me).”
Nevertheless, it appears that his future will be working alongside Djokovic. A player who he played 14 times on the tour, but only triumphed in one of their meetings. Radio Prague, which is the official international broadcasting station of the Czech Republic, reports that a deal has already been signed between the two parties.
The latest report would coincide with Darren Cahill’s comments made whilst commentating for ESPN. Cahill said he recently caught up with Andre Agassi, Djokovic’s current coach. According to him, there is talk about Stepanek mentoring Djokovic outside of the grand slam tournaments.
Should the two officially join forces, it would come as no surprise. Both men have been close friends on the tour throughout their careers and have praised each other on numerous occasions.
“I know Radek very well,” Djokovic said earlier this year. “He’s one of the best friends on the tour that I have.
“We know each other well. We practise many times. Great guy. Very interesting guy.”
The injury comeback
Djokovic is set to return to the tour in January at the Doha Open after taking part in an exhibition event in Abu Dhabi. He hasn’t played a match since losing at Wimbledon due to an elbow injury. The recovery is still ongoing, according to Serbian newspaper Večernje Novosti.
According to their latest report, Djokovic will continue training in Belgrade for a ‘few days’ and consult with a doctor about his elbow. Then the plan is to go to Monte Carlo. As for the upcoming Australian Open, his participation depends on how he fairs in the events leading up to it.
“If he does not feel any trouble, Abu Dhabi will be extended to Doha.” Novosti commented about Djokovic’s schedule.
“There he will test the elbow under full load and then see if he is able to play a grand slam, or a match against three sets.”
30-year-old Djokovic is a six-time champion at the Australian Open and hasn’t missed the tournament since 2004.