Dhe Serbian tennis pro Novak Djokovic and his coach Marian Vajda have ended their partnership. The 20-time Grand Slam winner announced on his website that he and the Slovakian coach had already agreed to separate at the ATP finals in Turin in November.
In total, 34-year-old Djokovic and 56-year-old Vajda worked together for a decade and a half. In 2006 Vajda started with Dkokovic, in 2017 both separated for a year, after which it continued. Djokovic only lost his position as number one in the world rankings to Russian Daniil Medvedev after 361 weeks on Monday.
“Marian has been by my side through the most important and memorable moments of my career. Together we have achieved incredible things and I am very grateful to him for his friendship and commitment over the past 15 years,” Djokovic said in recognition of his previous coach.
Vajda looks back on the time with Djokovic with “immense pride”. “During my time with Novak, I was fortunate to see him grow into the player he is today,” said Vajda, who had not been spotted with Djokovic’s team in Melbourne before Djokovic’s expulsion from Australia.
Djokovic will continue to be mentored by former world-class player Goran Ivanisevic, who has been part of his team since 2019. Earlier this year, Djokovic caused a stir when he was not allowed to compete at the Australian Open in Melbourne. Since he refuses a corona vaccination, he had to leave the country again.
