“Welcome friend, teammate and now coach”: Novak Djokovic reshapes team ahead of Roland Garros

Thursday, 21 May 2026 at 00:00

Novak Djokovic lifting his arm in passion

Novak Djokovic has integrated Viktor Troicki into his coaching structure ahead of Roland Garros, formalising a move that had already become visible during training sessions in Paris. The announcement came through Djokovic’s social media, where he referred to Troicki as “friend, teammate, now coach,” alongside a photo of the pair embracing.

The development adds another layer to Djokovic’s increasingly flexible support team model, which has evolved significantly over the past two seasons. Troicki’s presence was already noted during practice sessions on Court Philippe Chatrier, where he observed training blocks alongside Boris Bošnjaković and the rest of the Serbian team.

The timing is significant given Djokovic’s pursuit of a 25th Grand Slam title, with Roland Garros representing one of the remaining major targets in his career. The clay-court swing has become a recurring focus of structural adjustments in his box, particularly in the post-Goran Ivanišević period.

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Former world No. 12 Troicki recently served as Serbia’s Davis Cup captain while also working with younger ATP players. His integration once again shows Djokovic’s preference for trusted figures from his national tennis ecosystem during major tournament preparation phases.

Troicki’s return to Djokovic’s inner circle

The relationship between Djokovic and Troicki extends back more than a decade on the ATP Tour, where they competed 14 times, with Djokovic winning 13 of those encounters. Their first meeting in 2007 marked the beginning of a long-standing professional overlap that later shifted into collaboration in team formats.

Troicki reached a career-high ranking of world No. 12 in 2011, the same year Djokovic established his first period of dominance at No. 1. Their careers intersected at multiple points, particularly in Davis Cup competition, where they formed part of Serbia’s successful 2010 title-winning squad.

“Welcome friend, teammate and now coach,” Djokovic wrote, encapsulating the transition from rival to collaborator.

Troicki’s recent coaching work with Miomir Kecmanović and Hamad Međedović further contributed to his experience on the ATP Tour, while his tenure as Davis Cup captain since 2020 reinforced his leadership role within Serbian tennis.

Roland Garros preparation and team dynamics

Djokovic’s current coaching structure remains fluid, with Boris Bošnjaković still part of the setup, alongside Dušan Vemić and other long-standing collaborators. Troicki’s addition does not appear to replace existing roles but instead expands the advisory and on-court support group during the clay-court swing.

The Serbian has previously rotated members of his team in response to surface-specific demands. Following his split with Goran Ivanišević in 2024, Djokovic briefly worked with Nenad Zimonjić during his Olympic preparation, highlighting his willingness to adapt coaching configurations around key targets.

Training sessions in Paris have already shown Troicki actively engaged courtside during practice blocks, including observation of high-intensity hitting sessions on Court Philippe-Chatrier, where Djokovic already had his first training sessions alongside world No. 3 Alexander Zverev.

The 24-time Grand Slam champion has won the French Open title three times, the last one back in 2023. One year earlier, Djokovic reached the semifinals of the tournament—eliminating Zverev on his way—before falling to world No. 1 Jannik Sinner in straight sets in the semifinals.

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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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