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PARIS, FRANCE – OCTOBER 27: Novak Djokovic of Serbia speaks with coach, Marian Vajda during practice ahead of the Rolex Paris Masters at AccorHotels Arena on October 27, 2018 in Paris, France. (Photo by Justin Setterfield/Getty Images)
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PARIS, FRANCE – OCTOBER 27: Novak Djokovic of Serbia speaks with coach, Marian Vajda during practice ahead of the Rolex Paris Masters at AccorHotels Arena on October 27, 2018 in Paris, France. (Photo by Justin Setterfield/Getty Images)
In what can be considered yet another significant move in the career of Novak Djokovic, the 20-time Grand Slam champion decided to split up with long-time coach and confidante, Marian Vajda. From initial reports, it appears to be a mutual decision as the duo seemed to have come to this conclusion after the ATP Finals last year in Turin.
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Novak Djokovic decides to end partnership with long-time coach Marian Vajda
Since the year-end championships, Vajda wasn’t present in Djokovic’s box. He didn’t accompany him to Australia where the Serbian star was deported and also wasn’t seen in Novak’s box during the Dubai Open.
Djokovic added a crucial member to his team in the form of Goran Ivanisevic, former Croatian tennis player. Goran was instrumental in the Serb’s success since 2019 as Vajda began to slowly move out of the picture.
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LONDON, ENGLAND – JUNE 30: (L-R) Marian Vajda, Goran Ivanisevic and Novak Djokovic of Serbia look on during a practice session ahead of The Championships – Wimbledon 2019 at All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club on June 30, 2019 in London, England. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images)
Ever since the appointment of Ivanisevic, Vajda accompanied Novak on fewer occasions than before and the 57-year-old legendary coach wanted to spend quality time with his family. As it’s a mutual decision, there is a chance that Djokovic will make the announcement official in the coming few days.
Apart from Vajda, Novak decides to travel with the same team going forward. Physiotherapists Ulises Badio and Miljan Amanovic will continue alongside fitness trainer Marco Panichi.
Vajda was a part of every major accomplishment in Djokovic’s career
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Even though it appears to be a sudden move, the contribution of Vajda to Djokovic’s career is exemplary, to say the least. The legendary coach was part of almost every milestone accomplished by the Serb. While there was a brief gap in their partnership during the 2016-17 season, they got back together in 2018 and never looked back since.
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LONDON, ENGLAND – NOVEMBER 10: Novak Djokovic of Serbia talks with his coach Marian Vajda during a training session prior to the Nitto ATP World Tour Finals at O2 Arena on on November 10, 2018 in London, England. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images)
For his contributions to Djokovic’s game, Vajda was declared the Best Coach by Serbia’s Olympic Committee for two straight years(2010 &2011). He was also voted ‘Coach of the year’ by the ATP tour in 2018.
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Looking back at his career, Marian Vajda can be incredibly proud over what he accomplished with Novak Djokovic and one can expect the Serbian star to take inputs from Vajda off the court in the future as well.
