Novak Djokovic has kind words for Goran Ivanisevic after coaching change

Novak Djokovic and Goran Ivanisevic had worked together since 2018 and Ivanisevic officially became the Serbs coach in 2019. After adding Ivanisevic, Djokovic went on to win 12 of his 24 Grand Slams. The player's serve improved and he appeared to have fewer highs and lows; mostly just highs.

But since late November, things just seem slightly off for the ATP No. 1. In two of three matches late last year, Djokovic lost to Jannik Sinner. Beating Djokovic once is clearly not easy but defeating him twice in two weeks is nearly unheard of. Worse, Sinner was not just winning matches against the Serb, the Italian had seemingly passed Djokovic on the ATP food chain.

The beginning of 2024 did not change anything. Djokovic has yet to win a title. He lost to Sinner again in the semifinals of the Australian Open, an event that the Serb had won 10 times previously. But perhaps Djokovic's worst loss of his career came at Indian Wells when he lost to qualifier Luca Nardi. Whether there was beginning to be a lack of communication between Djokovic and Ivanisevic is anyone's guess, but a mutual parting of the ways occurred.

Novak Djokovic praises Goran Ivanisevic as the two part ways

Djokovic posted on his Instagram page that he and Ivanisevic had "decided to stop working together a few days ago." He followed that up with an admission and implication that possible cracks in the duo's professional relation had started saying, "Our on court chemistry had its ups and downs..." But most of the rest of the post was spent in effusive praise of his former coach.

Djokovic wrote, "...I (was) looking to innovate and bring some serve magic to our duo. In fact, not only we brought serve, but also lots of laughter, fun...our friendship was always rock solid...apart from winning tournaments together, we also had a side battle in Parchisi going on… for many years. And - that tournament never stops for us."

Of course, changes are never made if there is not some kind of issue. Top athletes do not move on from their coaches because they are bored and need something to do. Whatever the real story between Djokovic and Ivanisevic is, it's likely just a professional misunderstanding. Plus, Djokovic appears to be preparing for the end of his career by making many recent moves. But no one can argue with the success the coach and player have had together.

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