Novak Djokovic praised Jannik Sinner's team for winning the ATP Coach of the Year Award but also questioned why his own coach, Goran Ivanisevic was not considered.
Ivanisevic has supported Djokovic throughout a sensational 2023 campaign, where the Serbian player won three of the four Grand Slams and posted the highest ATP win rate. However, Ivanisevic did not receive the Coach of the Year Award, which instead went to Sinner's coaching pair of Darren Cahill and Simone Vagnozzi.
Djokovic has since reacted on his official Instagram channel, posting congratulations for coaches Cahill and Vagnozzi. But, the ATP number one also addressed Ivanisevic and asked what more the former Croatian player turned coach could do to win the accolade.
"Congratulations to Darren and Simone for a great season with Jannik."
"Goran, I guess we need to win 4/4 slams for you to maybe (just maybe) to be considered coach of the year, Winning year end #1,3 GS and WTF and making history of this sport is not enough, my dear coach."
For the ATP Coach of the Year Award category, Ivanisevic was part of a five-person nomination, which eventually went to Sinner's backroom coaches. The final award standings are voted by fellow ATP coaches.
In addition, there was further public outrage after Sinner also beat Djokovic to the ATP Fans' Favorite Award. Many fans took to social media to criticise the awards and the ATP for not honouring Djokovic or Ivanisevic for a fantastic 2023 campaign.
As well as his three Grand Slams, Djokovic won eight of 12 ATP tournaments which he entered and lifted a seventh career ATP Finals title, drawing level with the most-ever wins alongside Roger Federer. Yet, the Serbian, who finished the year as world number one too, had nothing to show, in terms of awards by the ATP for a standout 2023.
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