'Our Main Focus Is Roland Garros' Goran Ivanisevic Reflects On Novak Djokovic's Future - UBITENNIS

‘Our Main Focus Is Roland Garros’ Goran Ivanisevic Reflects On Novak Djokovic’s Future

Novak Djokovic's main focus is Roland Garros according to coach Goran Ivanisevic.

By Tony Fairbairn
6 Min Read

Goran Ivanisevic has reflected on Novak Djokovic’s future goals after a successful start to the season for the Serb.

It’s been a successful start to the season for Djokovic who has won two titles this season including the Australian Open.

The Serb became the world number one and enjoyed a successful return to Australia.

In an exclusive interview with Sasa Ozmo and Tennis Majors, Ivanisevic spoke about what it was like in Australia and how Djokovic dealt with his injury, “To sum it up: when you think you’ve seen it all, something new comes up. As I said before, Novak was a bit afraid of the reception in Australia, but everything was perfect since we arrived in Adelaide,” Ivanisevic said.

“The Serbian community backed him there big time, it was as if we were in Belgrade – but the Australian crowd was great as well. Personally, I felt like he had the biggest support ever in Melbourne this year.

“It wasn’t easy, that’s for sure. I am used to pressure, you have to be ready for everything when you’re Djokovic’s coach, but I felt bad for him. The injury occurred in Adelaide, but it worsened after a practice in Melbourne, on Saturday before the tournament. 

“I really thought that I’d seen it all in 2021, when he won the Australian Open with an abdominal tear, but this time he managed to surpass himself and not only my expectations, but the doctors’ as well.

“Every day he spent five-six hours in treatment, both on match days and off days. He just proved once again how great he is, by winning a Slam title without properly practicing.”

The comments from Ivanisevic show how incredible Djokovic’s achievement was to win the title in Melbourne.

Ivanisevic also spoke about the future as Djokovic is unable to compete at Indian Wells due to America’s rules on vaccination.

The Croat said when Djokovic found out he wasn’t playing Indian Wells and still holds out hope for participating at the Miami Open, “Namely, I think he was affected by everything that was going on regarding the exemption to come to the United States,” Ivanisevic told Tennis Majors that he found out about not playing Indian Wells before his match with Daniil Medvedev in Dubai.

“He has a strong desire to play in the U.S. this year, and the good thing is that it seems that the rule preventing him from entering will be abandoned in May. If that will be the case, Novak should be able to play the more important part of the year in the States: the US Open and the tournaments before New York. 

“We haven’t given up. He wants to play and I would love it if they allow him – it would be great both for him and for tennis. If not, it’s not the end of the world, he didn’t play last year as well. The most important thing is that we find out soon, so that we can make a plan.

“Although, in terms of preparing for the European clay court season, I’m not sure playing in Miami is the best solution. It depends on Novak – in the past he has triumphed in Monte Carlo having played in Indian Wells and Miami. If he is mentally ready and in his fighter mode, like he was in Australia, then anything is possible.”

As Ivanisevic alluded to the next big goal for Djokovic is Roland Garros, where he lost to Rafael Nadal last year.

The former Grand Slam champion said that he believes Djokovic is ready to win another title in Paris and outlined some of Djokovic’s big rivals on the clay, “So this year, the most important thing is to stay healthy and to prepare really well physically,” Ivanisevic said.

“Of course, our main focus is Roland Garros, he needs to be ready to give it his all there. He can do it. Nadal is the favourite on clay as long as he can walk, but if Novak is mentally up for it, he can beat anyone.

“Carlos Alcaraz, first and foremost. (Alexander) Zverev played a terrific Roland-Garros last year until the injury. (Stefanos) Tsitsipas is there as well, a former finalist. There are a lot of guys hungry for success, who want it badly and believe that they can do it, only to the point where they see that they can’t. It’s going to be an interesting clay court season, but for us the most important thing is to peak in Paris.”

Should Djokovic be unable to play the Miami Open, the Serb’s next tournament will be at the Monte-Carlo Rolex Masters on the 9th of April.

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