The man who had been part of Novak Djokovic’s team every time he won each of his 20 Grand Slam titles says their mutual split was due to the world No.1 wanting to reduce the size of his group.
Marian Vajda ended his collaboration with Djokovic shortly after the conclusion of last year’s ATP Finals in Turin but it wasn’t publicly confirmed until this March. He had worked with the Serbian for more than a decade during two separate stints. The two collaborated between 2006-2017 before Djokovic opted to have a shake up of his team. However, a year later they reunited once again.
Speaking to reporters in his native Bratislava earlier this week, Vajda said that there was a ‘combination of various reasons’ which resorted in the two going their own ways. Including Djokovic’s desire to focus more on the Grand Slam with a reduced team. Last season the 34-year-old won three out of the four major tournaments and was runner-up in the other (US Open).
“It was a combination of various reasons: we have been together for a really long time and his decisions showed that he wanted to focus on Grand Slam tournaments – that is why he might think that it is not ideal to have so many people in his team. He wanted to reduce it and have only one coach,” Tennis Majors quoted Vajda as telling reporters.
“I don’t know for sure, because I never asked him, but I assume from my analysis of his tournament schedule, that he wanted to reduce his team, and he chose Goran Ivanisevic. It did not make sense for a coach to coach him only him on Grand Slams, because a coach needs a long-term plan”. He added.
57-year-old Vajda is a former player himself who reached a ranking high of 34th back in 1987. He has also previously served as captain for his country’s Davis Cup and Billie Jean King Cup teams. He was named ATP Coach of the Year in 2018 and is the most decorated coach in tennis history when it comes to guiding players to major titles.
Whilst he is no longer a member of Djokovic’s inner circle, the Slovak says he still closely followed his progress on the Tour. This week’s Madrid Open is only the fourth tournament Djokovic has played this year after missing a trio of key events due to being unvaccinated against COVID-19. Despite the lack of match play, his mentor believes he will be ready in time for his title defence at the French Open.
“He was not in great shape because of the problems at the beginning of the year. He doesn’t have enough matches under his belt, and that is why he is now trying to play everywhere he can,” Vajda commented. “He is getting back to his old self, even though in the Belgrade final he still wasn’t in (the) best shape. He might be struggling a bit in Madrid and Rome, but I think he will be ready for Roland Garros”.
Vajda isn’t exiting the tennis scene anytime soon after it was confirmed that he has started working with fellow countryman Alex Molcan. A 24-year-old who was runner-up at the Grand Prix Hassan II last month and broke into the world’s top 50 for the first time earlier this year. Molcan reached the final of the 2015 Australian Open boys’ doubles tournament alongside Hubert Hurkacz.
As for Djokovic, he is now coached on the Tour by Goran Inavisevic who has been a member of his team since 2019. He will return to action on Thursday in Madrid when he plays Andy Murray in the third round.
