“It’s always my fault for everything,” Goran Ivanisevic describes what is it like to coach ‘genius’ Novak Djokovic, discusses their constant arguments 

Goran Ivanisevic has been coaching Novak Djokovic for four years now and the Serbian has won nine major titles with the Croatian.

“It’s always my fault for everything,” Goran Ivanisevic describes what is it like to coach ‘genius’ Novak Djokovic, discusses their constant arguments 

Novak Djokovic with Goran Ivanisevic (Image via Tennis.com)

Goran Ivanisevic and Novak Djokovic form a formidable coach-player duo as they have won almost everything together. Ever since Goran took over as Djokovic’s coach in 2019, the Serbian has won nine Grand Slam titles including his record-breaking 24th, in New York. While it looks all beautiful and shiny from the outside, the pair has its share of struggles and Goran Ivanisevic has unraveled the truth in his latest interview. 

Goran Ivanisevic has revealed how he has to take the blame for everything that goes wrong. “There is stress. There are five of us in the team, but it’s always my fault for everything. That’s how it goes with the coach,” he said at the Entrepreneurial Attitude conference (via Daily Express).

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The former Croatian ace further said that it is not easy to coach Djokovic considering he has achieved so much already. However, the 52-year-old also said that he does not mind those arguments and loves his job.  Ivanisevic also talked about his cool and calm nature as a coach, quite the opposite of what he was as a player. 

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The Croatian was known for his aggressive body language on the court during his playing days. However, after becoming the coach, he has changed and that has been deliberate. “On the court, people saw me as a savage or semi-savage, but I’m quite different off the court. I’m quite calm. No one believed that I could become a good coach. You need to know how to bury the ego. You don’t matter anymore. The player is important,” he said. 

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Goran Ivanisevic feels lucky to be working with a genius

The Croatian also talked about the all-merry part of his job. Goran Ivanisevic also talked about the bright aspect of coaching a genius. He attributed their countries of origin to the great bond between them. “I am lucky to be training a genius, the best tennis player of all time and one of the best athletes ever,” said Ivanisevic. 

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Goran Ivanisevic and Novak Djokovic (Image via SABC Sports)

“It’s easier for me because we come from this area. I understand a lot of the things he’s going to do and I’m prepared for them in advance. I also did some, but now as a coach I need to be more calm and composed,” he said. Notably, the respect between the two individuals is mutual as Novak Djokovic has also hailed Goran Ivanisevic on multiple occasions in the past.

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