Djokovic Replacing His Team

[jimlosaltos]

Novak Djokovic parts ways with Goran Ivanisevic. Won 12 Grand Slam titles during his partnership with Goran.

Rumor has it Djokovic is uber-focused on winning Olympic Gold and even considering skipping Wimbledon, since Olympic tennis is on Roland Garros clay this year.

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[stotty]

Strange...didn't see that coming. The thing about Goran is he really lived and breathed Novak's tennis. He was in Novak's corner 100%...looking anxious and biting his nails like no other coach on the tour.

It would be even stranger if Novak skipped Wimbledon as it's his best chance of a major this year. The Olympics is pretty meaningless as far as tennis is concerned when you think about it.

[jimlosaltos]

Strange...didn't see that coming. The thing about Goran is he really lived and breathed Novak's tennis. He was in Novak's corner 100%...looking anxious and biting his nails like no other coach on the tour.

It would be even stranger if Novak skipped Wimbledon as it's his best chance of a major this year. The Olympics is pretty meaningless as far as tennis is concerned when you think about it.

Putting aside my opinions about the importance of the Olympics, Djokovic seems to see them as crucially important to his legacy -- witness his emotional meltdown in Tokyo, after spending the year openly targeting a "Golden Slam". My guess, Djokovic wants that checkmark to further distance himself from Fed and to match Rafa - which he is obsessed with. Djokovic was in tears after losing to Delpo in Rio - something I didn't see after Wimbledon or at Roland Garros losses.

[jimlosaltos]

Curiously, Djokovic doesn't seem to have a specific goal let alone person in mind to replace Goran.

“I still don’t have a clear idea who a new coach would be, or whether there will be one at all. I’ve had coaches since I was a kid; now I am trying to feel by myself what I need, what I feel most comfortable with.”

[jimlosaltos]

Temporary help? "old friend Nenad Zimonjic working with him during his practice sessions in Monte-Carlo. Zimonjic was a doubles specialist during his career and reached the world No 1 ranking in that version of the sport, playing alongside Djokovic in the Serbian Davis Cup team.