While a collaboration between these two tennis aces was speculated for a long time, just before the start of Wimbledon, Goran Ivanišević joined the team of Novak Djokovic, the current best tennis player in the world.
After training Marin Čilić, Tomas Berdych and Milos Raonić, the celebrated Croatian tennis player began working with the Serbian tennis player who has now won 16 Grand Slam tournaments, just behind record-holder Roger Federer.
“It was strange, a bit of an unexpected call, and it surprised me, as I was just traveling to Sweden. I finished that yesterday and came to my first training session today. I will only be able to be here for one week, because I have obligations I am trying to postpone,” Ivanišević said back in June.
Ivanišević was meant to stay with Djoković only for the first week of Wimbledon, before returning to Umag where he is the director and ambassador of the Croatia Open ATP tournament.
“However, when Novak Djokovic calls you, that’s a big deal. It is great recognition for me as a trainer because he does not just choose anyone he likes or doesn’t like. If you can help him, he’ll choose you. I am glad that Vajda agrees with that. I hope it will last,” he added.
Thankfully, whatever time Ivanišiević managed to give Novak was enough, as the Serbian player went on to win Wimbledon just a few weeks ago in a marathon final against Roger Federer.
During the Croatia Open in Umag, Ivanišević announced that the two tennis greats would continue cooperating, reports HRT on July 31, 2019.
“I heard from him, he is still deciding which tournaments he will play in this summer, but as things stand, I remain on the team, so after the US Open we will see what we will do next,” Ivanišević said at the time.
And now, the Croatian tennis player continues collaborating with the world’s best in Marbella, Spain, in preparation for the remainder of the season.
NOVAK DJOKOVIC & GORAN IVANISEVIC &PUENTE ROMANO TENIS ? ?!!! pic.twitter.com/k29NfAlMEK
— PuenteRomanoTennis (@PuenteTenis) July 30, 2019
Marian Vajda, Djokovic’s first coach, will not be on the Serbian player’s team until the US Open due to family obligations.
Otherwise, Djokovic canceled his appearance at the Masters 1000 ATP tournament in Montreal, which begins on August 3, as he believes he needs extra rest after winning Wimbledon. Before the US Open, Djokovic will only perform in Cincinnati.
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