Novak Djokovic: Marian Vajda declares separation from tennis star – disagreement about Olympic participation and vaccination status

After the US Open, a planned meeting in Bratislava fell through, so Vajda traveled to Turin for the ATP Finals in November. There they then agreed on the end of the cooperation, so Vajda.

However, Djokovic and Vajda considered the timing of communicating the split inappropriate. This was supposed to happen in the run-up to the Australian Open, but as is well known, Djokovic had completely different problems.

After a day-long stalemate over his entry into the country, the Serb had to leave Australia again before the tournament started.

Ultimately, at the beginning of March, they bowed to the pressure from the Serbian press, which, according to Vajda, got wind of the planned separation.

Vajda: Djokovic wanted to win Olympic medal for Serbia

The first cracks appeared in the relationship between coach player and coach after the Olympic Games in Tokyo. “After he won three Grand Slams, I thought it wasn’t the right thing to go to the games,” Vajda explained.

“Novak had already wasted a lot of energy and the preparation time was too short. But he really wanted to win a medal for Serbia.”

Vajda appreciates his former protégé’s ambition, but stresses that “failing in Tokyo literally sapped his physical and mental strength.”

At the US Open, according to Vajda, Djokovic was not able to show all his skills. Djokivic lost the final to Daniil Medvedev in three sets and missed out on winning all four Grand Slams in the same year.

Djokovic’s triumph at Wimbledon 2011 best moment for Vajda

In addition, Vajda revealed that he could not understand why Djokovic still refused a vaccination against Corona. “As an unvaccinated player, he won’t be able to play many tournaments,” said Vajda. “After weighing up all the circumstances, we then mutually decided to end our professional cooperation.”

Despite everything, Vajda will keep fond memories of the 15 years together. “It was anything but an easy path. But I have to say that I was able to help him in his career and thus also have a certain share in his successes,” said Vajda.

Of all the big titles, the Wimbledon triumph in 2011 was the best moment: “Novak became number one in the world by beating Nadal in the final. For the first time I could say that I’m coaching the best player in the world.”

Vajda will continue to follow the career of the world number one in the future: “I will remain his biggest fan. I keep my fingers crossed for Novak and hope that the world returns to a more normal life.”