“Ziki knows Novak’s mentality really well,” Goran Ivanisevic drops a hint about Novak Djokovic’s next coach as he speaks for first time after getting fired

Ivanisevic said that Djokovic needs someone he already knows.

Goran Ivanisevic and Novak Djokovic (Credit : AFP Photo)

Ever since Novak Djokovic parted ways with his longtime coach Goran Ivanisevic, there have been speculations about the Serbian’s next coach. There have been wild guesses with some even suggesting Roger Federer might take up the role. Amid all the discussions, Ivanisevic has himself named the person who can take the job.

The Croatian who worked with Djokovic for over five years and achieved enormous success knows what the 24-time Grand Slam champion needs. Ivanisevic also knows who is the person who can provide what Djokovic is looking for and hence he has named Nenad Zimonjic.

He has claimed that Zimonjic knows Djokovic really well and his tennis knowledge can come in handy for the 36-year-old. The Croatian says that Djokovic does not need anyone completely new at this point of his career and hence Zimonjic is a better choice.

I don’t know for how much longer Novak plans to keep on playing, but the perfect person is with him at the moment – Ziki (Nenad Zimonjic). He is a great friend of mine, we went through a lot together and I love him. He has a vast tennis knowledge, but what is most important – he knows Novak really well. At the moment, Novak doesn’t need someone completely new, who is yet to get to know him. Let’s say 10 days pass, Novak ‘goes crazy’ and this new coach is left wondering what is going on.

Goran Ivanisevic said to Sport Klub.

Ivanisevic has also claimed that Zimonjic belonging to Serbia also tilts the odds in his favor.

I have a theory – man from the Balkans can coach anyone, but only someone from this our region can coach a Balkan player. Marian (Vajda) is Slovak, we’re close and we know each other well. Boris (Becker) also worked well with Novak, but his tennis IQ is off the charts.

Goran Ivanisevic further stated.

Goran Ivanisevic feels Novak Djokovic needs someone who can say things he wants to hear

Goran Ivanisevic further talked about what Novak Djokovic needs at the moment. As there were reports that Ivanisevic was failing to provide the Serbian with the right piece of advice on the court which led to their separation, Ivanisevic has claimed that Djokovic needs someone who can say the things he wants to hear.
Novak Djokovic and Nenad Zimonjic (Image via Imago)
He has said that Djokovic knows everything already but it will be good for him to hear those same things from someone else and Nenad Zimonjic is the perfect fit for the role.

Ziki can help him tennis-wise. Novak does know everything already, but it will be refreshing for him to maybe hear the same thing from someone else, with a different approach. Ziki knows Novak’s mentality really well, they collaborated in the Davis Cup as well

Goran Ivanisevic said.

It is worth mentioning that Djokovic was seen training with his compatriot a few hours after he split with Ivanisevic. The two Serbians are working together ahead of the clay season. While Djokovic has not yet announced Zimonjic as his coach, it seems they will end up working together as suggested by Ivanisevic.