Novak Djokovic’s former coach makes ‘tiring’ confession after world No 1’s split from Goran Ivanisevic
Novak Djokovic with Marian Vajda
Marian Vajda knows a thing or two about the pressures that come along with coaching Novak Djokovic and he has made some interesting comments about the 24-time Grand Slam winner’s decision to part ways with Goran Ivanisevic.
Following five successful years that delivered multiple Grand Slams, ATP Masters 1000 titles, ATP Finals trophies and record-breaking stints at No 1 in the ATP Rankings, Djokovic announced in March that his working relationship with Ivanisevic had come to an end.
It took the tennis community by surprise with the decision coming on the back of a difficult start to the 2024 season for the Serbian as lost in the semi-final of the Australian Open and also suffered a shock third-round exit from the Indian Wells Open
Both parties, though, made it clear there was no fallout and they remained good friends away from tennis.
Vajda had a similar experience as he had two brilliant stints as Djokovic’s coach. The first lasted from 2006 until 2017 and he then rejoined in 2018 before they parted ways again in 2022.
The Serbian won two Career Grand Slams during those stints as he won the Australian Open nine times, the French Open twice, Wimbledon six times and the US Open three times, but opted in 2022 to appoint Ivanisevic as his main coach.
During an interview with Ubitennis.net, Vajda was asked if he expected the Djokovic-Ivanisevic split and replied; “Look, no, I didn’t expect it. I also read it in the newspaper like everyone else, so my opinion is only on what I have read in the last few days.
“I was quite surprised because in recent years Novak has always gotten along well with him, he was now totally part of the team. Perhaps the pressure that coaches are subjected to, the one I was talking about before, has become tiring for Ivanisevic too. But I’m not sure about it.”
That “pressure” he was referring to was about the difficulties of coaching a top player like Djokovic as you are constantly on the road.
Vajda also admitted that being under so much scrutiny is “exhausting”.
“We were always travelling, from one continent to another,” the Slovakian said. “I always had to say goodbye to my family without knowing how long I would be away and the pressure in tournaments was very strong, even for me.
“You know, in tennis the coach is constantly under scrutiny. The pressure of this sport is exhausting even for the coach. In football when a team loses, it is never the fault of a single individual, you don’t look every time at how the coach worked to prepare for that match. While when a tennis player loses, the coach is immediately questioned.”
