Novak Djokovic Hopes His Former Coach Can Help Stefanos Tsitsipas Find A “Clear Vision” About His Tennis

Novak Djokovic worked with Goran Ivanisevic for almost 6 years, winning 12 Grand Slams together.

Novak Djokovic Hopes His Former Coach Can Help Stefanos Tsitsipas Find A “Clear Vision” About His Tennis

Novak Djokovic, Stefanos Tsitsipas (Images via ATP/X)

Stefanos Tsitsipas recently announced that he will start working with Novak Djokovic’s ex-coach, Goran Ivanisevic, ahead of the grass-court season. Ivanisevic and Djokovic worked together for almost six years and their collaboration was successful. The Serbian has wished his former coach and Tsitsipas the best of luck.

Former World No.2, Ivanisevic, who won the Wimbledon Championship in 2001, helped Djokovic to win 12 Grand Slams from June 2019 to March 2024. Their partnership was incredibly successful and he particularly took Djokovic’s game to a higher level. After that, the 53-year-old then worked with former Wimbledon champion Elena Rybakina.

However, their partnership only lasted two months. He also coached Marin Cilic to win his only major title at the 2014 US Open. The Croatian is bringing years of experience into his collaboration with Tsitsipas, who has had a very poor clay season.

Tsitsipas failed to defend the Monte Carlo Masters in April after exiting in the quarter-finals. He then crashed out in the third round of the Madrid Open and the Italian Open. At the French Open, he was seeking redemption but he left the tournament disappointed after losing to World No.167 Matteo Gigante 4-6, 7-5, 2-6, 4-6 in the second round. It was his earliest loss at the Roland Garros since 2018.

Also, the loss ensured that he would drop out of the Top 20 for the first time in seven years. After Novak Djokovic’s third-round win at the Roland Garros, he was asked during his press conference about Tsitsipas’ partnership with Ivanisevic. He revealed that the 26-year-old currently doubts his tennis and his former coach can help him.

I am sure Goran can help any player, but especially Stefanos on a mental level. I can see the ups and downs he is experiencing right now and the doubts present in his tennis. I believe Ivanisevic can help him focus on the right things. He will have a clear vision of what he wants to do with him, and I think it will be interesting to see their work together.

Ivanisevic is set to be in Tsitsipas’ coaching box for the first time at the Halle Open, which begins on June 16. He will put his expertise to use to help Tsitsipas particularly at the 2025 Wimbledon Championship, which begins on June 30.

Former British No.1 predicts Novak Djokovic will not win the French Open

Novak Djokovic is chasing his 25th Grand Slam singles title at the Roland Garros as he looks to move ahead of Margaret Court and become the player with the most major titles in their collection. He defeated Filip Misolic 6-3, 6-4, 6-2 on Saturday (May 31) to reach the fourth round of the French Open.

Novak Djokovic (2)
Novak Djokovic (Image via X/Jose Morgado)

However, former British No.1 Tim Henman has predicted that Djokovic is unlikely to claim the French Open title. He stated on TNT Sports that Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz are the two major favorites to claim the title.

He wasn’t my favourite to win coming into this event, but he was on my list as a potential winner if things went his way. Sinner and Alcaraz have separated themselves from the rest at the moment, but Djokovic is in that next batch of half of dozen that could cause a surprise and win.

Djokovic will face Cameron Norrie in the fourth round as he hopes to reach back-to-back French Open quarter-finals. He has never lost to the British star leading him 5-0 in their head-to-head record.

Also Read: Elina Svitolina Explains Reasons Why she Would have Shook Hands With Elena Rybakina at Roland Garros Despite Russian Origins