“After having had different teams and coaches, I am at a stage where I allow myself to consider the option of not having a coach. I have had a lot of fun with Nenad Zimonjić as my coach for the last three weeks, so we are considering continuing. Let’s see , I will make the decision in the next period.”
At the moment Novak Djokovic is without an official coach, after the recent separation with Goran Ivanisevic. The Serbian – whose will come back to the ATP Tour will take place in Rome – is in no hurry to decide on the new coach, and makes it clear that having reached this stage of his career, a permanent coach is no longer essential.
But not only. After the separation with Ivanisevic, Djokovic also announced the end of the collaboration with another of the pillars of his team, Marco Panichi. The Italian athletic trainer joined the Serbian champion’s staff in 2019 and had already worked with him from April 2017 to April 2018.
Panichi has been one of Djokovic’s secrets in recent seasons, offering his fundamental contribution in the physical preparation of the Belgrade native. Panichi, however, proved to be more than an athletic trainer for the 36-year-old.
Djokovic has probably decided to return to his roots and, according to SportKlub, he would have carried out several training sessions with Gebhard Phil-Gritsch, who collaborated with him from 2009 to 2017.
“Great Marco, what amazing years of collaboration we’ve had. We reached the summit, won titles, broken records. But most of all, I have enjoyed our most ordinary” days of training in and out of the gym.
Endless hours of artichokes and laughs that made me feel super motivated to prepare for success. Thank you for all the energy, effort and time you invested in making me the best possible player and person I can be. Much love and I will see you soon,” wrote Djokovic on his Instagram account.
Djokovic changes in dept his team to get new great milestones
In short, in the space of a few months, Djokovic has changed a lot and in depth in his team. Either because something had broken with some former members of his staff, or because now his tennis and his fitness need something different, the Serbian champion has decided to start from scratch, trying to find new solutions and new stimuli to face the upcoming tournaments which – needless to say – represent the most intense and tough part of the season, especially with the trio Roland Garros, Wimbledon, Paris Olympics.
Until the Olympic tournament Nole – like many of his rivals – will be holding his breath. Unlike the dominated 2023, 2024 still appears to be an interim season for Djokovic.
His psycho-physical level still seems not optimal, but this should not be misleading: as great champions know how to do, the Serbian champion is ready to take back the center of the season at the moment that matters most when the titles begin to set the pace of history.
And results have already came! In fact, the Serbian champion has already achieved the first milestone: he has ensured he remains ATP No.1 until his 37th birthday, becoming the first men’s singles tennis player to be No.1 at 37 years old.
Novak Djokovic is guaranteed to be ranked #1 on his 37th birthday. 🥳
He is now the only player in tennis history to be #1 at 37 years old.
One of the greatest achievements in sports history. pic.twitter.com/wApHEFbkjQ
— Danny 🐊 (@DjokovicFan_) May 1, 2024
On the upcoming court tournaments, Djokovic was clear: “I hope to be able to play my best tennis in Rome. This year I’m struggling a bit to find the level, but it’s going well.
This is sport and sometimes you don’t start the season the way you want. Even my age… but I’m always motivated. Now the most important moment of the season begins with Roland Garros, Wimbledon, the Olympics and the US Open, where I want to express my best tennis.
But this period begins with Rome, which I love very much. I always get great support and it’s a beautiful city. I hope to play a good tournament,” he said, during the Laureus World Sportsman of the Year award ceremony.
🔴 Novak Djokovic splits with fitness coach
After Goran Ivanisevic, the World No.1 has announced that Marco Panichi, his long-time physical trainer, was leaving his team.
Surprising, isn’t it? pic.twitter.com/kJhTrKP0wp
— We Are Tennis (@WeAreTennis) May 1, 2024
Francisco Cerundolo on Novak Djokovic:
“Novak came to me to say hello to me. I was ranked 110 and he introduced himself and congratulated me for everything I had won. He even asked me about my brother. And I said to myself, “Wow, he’s #1 in the world and he knows everything.” pic.twitter.com/9fSchtFZP3
— Danny 🐊 (@DjokovicFan_) April 30, 2024