“You have to find some balance”: Goran Ivanisevic reflects on the toughest part of coaching Novak Djokovic
ATP
Former Novak Djokovic coach Goran Ivanisevic recently gave an interview to Croatian television, where he opened up about his experience coaching the 24-time Grand Slam champion.
Ivanisevic is preparing to return to the ATP Tour in a few months, as it was announced he will join Stefanos Tsitsipas’s team after Roland Garros. The Greek will count on one of the most successful coaches of recent years—and a former Wimbledon champion—at least for the upcoming grass-court swing.
Ivanisevic worked with Djokovic from 2019 to early 2024, a partnership that produced nine Grand Slam titles and four additional major finals. Since their split earlier this year, Djokovic has not lifted an ATP trophy—with the sole exception of the gold medal at the Paris 2024 Olympics.
Speaking to Croatian media, Ivanisevic revealed what he considers the hardest part of coaching Nole:“I don’t know what could be the hardest. He’s quite serious. He likes biomechanics and many similar things. It’s not that I don’t believe in that but some things have nothing to do with biomechanics.”
“You can’t think about the biomechanics of your hips, your knees, when you throw the ball for your serve and the sun hits your eyes and you can’t see anything. You can’t see the ball. For one second, you can’t see the ball and you hit it blindly. You can’t think about your hip while serving while you’re blind as a bat. There’s also the wind.”
“He wants to be perfect at it. He’s a perfectionist. I am too, but you have to find some balance,” added the former owrld No. 2. “And the easiest thing for me is that I have never seen a tennis player who can not play tennis for two months and then play as if he never even stopped.”
“He plays like he had been training for five hours a day for the past two months. Such timing, such a feel for the court, for the ball, for the space. I have never seen anything like it in my life. Nadal is not like that. He has to train every day.”
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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