Mentor Nenad Zimonjic reveals how he ‘managed to fix’ Novak Djokovic who was ‘lost’ and ‘unmotivated’ this year
Novak Djokovic ended this season without a Grand Slam title for the first time since 2017 and also remained trophyless on the ATP Tour.
Follow Us
Nenad Zimonjic, Novak Djokovic (Images via Imago, X)
Novak Djokovic was unmotivated earlier this season, per his mentor Nenad Zimonjic, and this is why he was producing lackluster performances in the tournaments he played. After parting ways with coach Goran Ivanisevic, even Djokovic admitted that he found some advice from Zimonjic helpful while practicing for the clay court tournaments.
Djokovic ended the season without a trophy on the ATP Tour, clinching just the gold medal at the Paris Olympics. He skipped several tournaments focusing mostly on Grand Slam events and the Olympics.
Earlier this year I found him in a situation where he was not really motivated and he was a little bit lost with his game, having no good results compared to 2023 and struggling after Australia this year.
Nenad Zimonjic told Ubitennis
Zimonjic also revealed that Djokovic always confided in him whenever the 24-time Grand Slam champion needed help. What Djokovic wanted to achieve the most was the gold medal and he did so with Zimonjic’s help.
I managed to fix it quite quickly and unexpectedly. Novak didn’t have any expectations before Monte Carlo, but the two weeks that we worked together before the tournament helped him reach the semi-finals. Those new things we worked on during this period also helped him win gold at the Paris Olympics which was his biggest goal.
Nenad Zimonjic added
Zimonjic like many others, is confident that the partnership between Djokovic and Andy Murray will be a success. The Scot will be in Djokovic’s entourage at least till the Australian Open.
Alex Corretja says Novak Djokovic-Andy Murray partnership is an explosive combination
Alex Corretja backed Novak Djokovic‘s decision to appoint Andy Murray as his coach. Like the entire tennis world, the news took him by surprise and made him think it was a ‘smart move’ from Djokovic and Murray.
He (Murray) knows exactly the way he wants to practice the tournaments. He wants to play the way he wants to play during matches as well. So I think it’s an explosive combination, but it could work very well.
Alex Corretja told Eurosport
Corretja added that Djokovic needs huge motivation and wanted to add someone special to his team because then the Serbian great would want to give his 100 percent. He thinks Murray can help Djokovic be more aggressive and surprise his opponents, especially the youngsters who have defeated Djokovic in big events. Corretja is also hoping to see a different version of Djokovic.
Stay Updated!
Gouri Das
(4785 Articles Published)