Andy Roddick remarked surprise at the split between Goran Ivanisevic and
Novak Djokovic after six years together as the World No.1 heads into the
Monte-Carlo Masters looking for answers.
After a poor start to the season by his standards, Djokovic decided to part company with Ivanisevic. He has since been coached mostly by Nenad Zimonjic. A former doubles World No.1 who has been part of his setup before.
Ivanisevic has given his stamp of approval already believing that Zimonjic could be a shrewd addition as his full-time coach. Rumours have flown around since the split even in the direction of Judy Murray or Amelie Mauresmo.
But it seems at least in the short term, he will stick to what he knows. Roddick also remarked that it is a tough battle when it comes to coaching Djokovic due to his knowledge. He said that even his cat could coach Djokovic and he'd be fine so it is a tough balance to get right.
"Novak's decision to split with coach Goran Ivanisevic was surprising. They've had an incredible run and you don't split easily with someone with whom you've won 12 Slams. Breaking up in April is not a plan that would have been put forward at the beginning of the year, so it will be interesting to see what he does," said Roddick to Betway.
"I don't know what someone could tell him that he doesn't already know. It's just a question of how much he values that feedback cycle along the way. There's certainly some uncertainty there, but if anyone can deal with those ebbs and flows then it's Novak. My cat could probably coach him and it would be fine."
In the short-term though, Djokovic will have a tough run likely at Monte-Carlo. He starts against Roman Safiullin or a qualifier. Carlos Alcaraz could await in the semi-finals and the final could see him face Jannik Sinner, Daniil Medvedev or Alexander Zverev. Certainly tough for Nole.