Novak Djokovic's coach Goran Ivanisevic has calmed reports of in-match arguments between himself and the Serbian player.
Sometimes, the occasion of a Grand Slam final can be too much for even the best players to handle. In Djokovic's 2023 Wimbledon final loss against Carlos Alcaraz, the 23-time Grand Slam champion destroyed his racquet against the net post at a crucial stage in a tense fifth and final set.
Often, the Serbian player can be seen in disagreement with his coaching box too, most noticeably with coach Ivanisevic. However, the Croatian former ATP player has downplayed any tension between himself and Djokovic, explaining to Serbian media that the 36-year-old is simply displaying passion and intensity.
"No, that's nonsense. First of all, I can't hear half of what he says. These are huge courts, the crowd is shouting and you can't hear. It doesn't bother me, it's emotions, he has to get it out somehow."
"It's constantly reported, 'he shouted again, this again, that again...' We've talked a million times and I don't have a problem with it at all. I was also a tennis player once, sometimes it's difficult to say a technical thing in two seconds. What's important is that he plays as well as he possibly can."
Djokovic and Ivanisevic have developed a strong and successful relationship since they started working together in 2019. Since then Djokovic has won eight of his 23 career Grand Slams including three Australian Opens and Wimbledons and two Roland Garros titles.
Despite their occasional tense moments, the partnership between Djokovic and Ivanisevic has proven to be strong in previous years. On several occasions, the Croatian coach has backed his player intensely, claiming that Djokovic is the 'only' competitor who can notch a calendar Grand Slam.
Djokovic and his team are currently gearing up for the American season to close the 2023 campaign. The 36-year-old is taking time away from tennis before setting his sights on a US return at the 2023 Cincinnati Masters.
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