"You may arrive less trained": Novak Djokovic's former coach Marian Vajda questions method to play less tournaments

Thursday, 11 April 2024 at 22:30

Marian Vadja, former coach of Novak Djokovic, admitted that there is uncertainty regarding the approach that the 24-times Grand Slam champion will take in his upcoming tournaments, but he believes that Djokovic will once again prove himself to be a great champion. The Serbian was eliminated in the semifinals of the Australian Open by Jannik Sinner and then in Indian Wells, he barely made it to the third round and was eliminated by Luca Nardi, who had never before reached the top 100.

Following his exit from Tennis Paradise, Djokovic decided not to play in the Miami Open and to return to action only at the Monte-Carlo Masters this week. The world No. 1 admitted that he wants to play a reduced schedule with his main focus on the Grand Slams and the upcoming Paris 2024 Olympic Games, which will be held at Roland Garros starting on July 27.

His former coach Marian Vadja, who worked with him between 2006 – 2017 and then between 2018- 2022, commented that this method of reducing his schedule may make it more challenging for Djokovic to find his competitive rhythm in the tournaments he plays: 'I think Novak is trying to adapt and find the right balance. Now he can’t think of playing all the tournaments like he once did,' the Slovakian said.

“The calendar is too full, he has to make choices. The great motivation for him remains the Slams and the Olympics. So he has to find time to prepare, to train well, but he can’t think of putting the same concentration into the other tournaments.

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“I think the real question is whether this new method will still be able to make him win. Because if he plays fewer tournaments, you may arrive less trained than those who have played more than you,” he added.

So far, reducing his schedule has been beneficial for Djokovic in recent years, as he currently maintains his position as world No. 1 and has won 7 Grand Slams between 2021 and 2023. According to Vajda, Djokovic's intelligence and experience give him a superior level: 'But Novak knows how to do it, he is very intelligent, and none of the new top players have as much experience as him, simply due to age.

“Even last year he missed several tournaments such as Indian Wells and Miami but then won Roland Garros, reached the final at Wimbledon and won the US Open. So I don’t think he’s done winning and this year he will prove it once again.”

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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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