"He didn’t have much experience at such a high level": Novak Djokovic explains the key role of his new head coach

Saturday, 24 January 2026 at 09:30

Novak Djokovic watching Formula 1 in Doha

Novak Djokovic has so far enjoyed a solid run at the Australian Open 2026, where he is once again aiming to fight for an extension of his remarkable Grand Slam trophy collection. The former world No. 1 has been working with a familiar figure following several changes within his team over the past couple of years.

Since the departure of Goran Ivanišević, Djokovic’s team has included Nenad Zimonjić and Dušan Vemić — as well as three-time Grand Slam champion Andy Murray briefly.

Since December 2023, Djokovic has been working with Boris Bošnjaković, the head coach of the Novak Tennis Centre, who once reached a career-high ATP ranking of world No. 740 back in the 1990s. A professional at Brigham Young University, Bošnjaković joined Djokovic’s team through Dušan Vemić, with whom he had been working on opponent analysis and the design of tactical game plans.

“Boris is, above all, a friend and someone very dear to me. I’ve known him since 2010–2011. He studied at university in the United States, and I met him there through Dušan Vemić,” Djokovic said in a recent press conference in Melbourne given to Serbian media, as reported by Sportklub.

“During that glorious 2011 season, Boris was also at several tournaments with Dušan and me; both of them are very close in my life,” added the 24-time Grand Slam champion. “I work with Dušan occasionally, and now with Boris on a more consistent basis.”

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The former world No. 1 has so far come through his early challenges in Melbourne without any setbacks. He defeated Pedro Martínez in the opening round (6-3, 6-2, 6-2), followed by a straight-sets win over Italian Francesco Maestrelli (6-3, 6-2, 6-2). Both victories came by identical scorelines, with Djokovic looking impeccable on serve — a key focus of his off-season work as he continues to search for ways to remain competitive at Grand Slam level at the age of 38.

“Boris currently fulfils several roles within my team, not just as a coach,” the legendary Serbian added. “However, as the head coach, he now carries a lot of responsibility. Before working with me, he didn’t have much experience at such a high level, so we are developing and growing together. His progress compared to a few years ago, when we began working together more seriously, is evident.”

“I demand total dedication and professionalism from every member of my team"

Djokovic once again surprises with a technical decision within his team. Throughout his career, he has worked with iconic coaches such as Marian Vajda and Goran Ivanišević — in addition to collaborating with legends like Boris Becker, Andre Agassi, Radek Štěpánek, and Ivanišević himself.

However, following Ivanišević’s departure, he opted for names that were perhaps not considered high-profile, such as Zimonjić and Vemić, before turning to the value of Andy Murray — a tennis legend, but recently retired and without any prior coaching experience.

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This time, the decision to give a leading role to the relatively unknown Bošnjaković is another sign that, at this stage of his career, Djokovic is specifically seeking comfort, trust, and closeness within his team — relationships that provide him with confidence, especially on a personal level.

“Look, it’s not easy to work with me, and it’s not easy to work at the highest level either. I am very demanding, and that demands a lot from others on a daily basis,” said the 10-time Australian Open champion. “I demand total dedication and professionalism from every member of my team. Not just being satisfied with what they already know, but maintaining an open mindset and constantly looking for ways to improve.”

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“I want them to stay up to date with new technologies, to follow all aspects of the modern game, and then see how they can help me — but also themselves — so that we can grow together,” concluded the current world No. 4.

Djokovic now awaits his return to the court this Saturday for the third round of the tournament. He will face Dutchman Botic van de Zandschulp — a far from easy challenge, with their head-to-head record currently tied at 1–1. Djokovic won their first meeting in Astana 2022, while van de Zandschulp caused a surprise at Indian Wells 2024, defeating Djokovic in his opening match in straight sets.

Cristhián AvilaTennis Journalist

Cristhián Ávila is a tennis journalist based in Santiago, Chile, and has been part of the TennisUpToDate team since early 2023. He covers the ATP and WTA Tours as well as all four Grand Slams, producing breaking news, match reports, analysis, and regular liveblogs from major tournaments.

His reporting combines statistical analysis with clear explanation, helping readers understand tactical developments, player form, and broader storylines across the tour. Working fluently in both Spanish and English, Cristhián collaborates with an international editorial team and contributes to comprehensive global coverage. As part of his work, he has conducted interviews and media interactions with leading figures in the sport, including Caroline Wozniacki and John McEnroe.

In his journalism, Cristhián places strong emphasis on careful sourcing, editorial accuracy, and updating articles promptly when new, verified information becomes available. His coverage is grounded in research, context, and direct engagement with professional tennis.

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