Djokovic Far From Done Despite Lack Of Grand Slams In Recent Years Says His Ex-Coach
NewsMonday, 07 July 2025 at 15:01
Novak Djokovic has yet to win a Grand Slam title since the 2023 US Open, but that doesn't mean he doesn't have a chance to win one, according to his former coach Goran Ivanisevic.
There used to be years when it was unimaginable for Djokovic to end a season without a major title. Since 2011, there have been only two seasons when he hasn't won a Grand Slam title. One of those came in 2017, and the other one was in 2024. The Serbian has yet to win a Grand Slam in 2025 as well.
If Djokovic doesn't win this year's Wimbledon Championships, he will match his longest run of played Grand Slams without a title (since 2011), which is an alarming sign. However, neither of that concerns his former coach Ivanisevic.
Ivanisevic now coaches Stefanos Tsitsipas, whom he recently slammed for his physical state, and as the coach of the Greek player, he had a chance to observe Djokovic from up close, as the two practiced together.
In London, Ivanisevic spoke to Sasa Ozmo for CLAY, discussing many topics, including the 24-time Grand Slam champion. According to the 53-year-old Croatian, it's still a joy to watch Djokovic compete.
"The other day he and Tsitsipas practiced together. It was a joy to watch, especially now that I’m on the other side. When I was his coach, it was great, but you’re always focused — what will he say, what to look for. Now I could just enjoy it. Such ease of movement, ease of play — the ball flies at 300 km/h thanks to his technique and timing."
Djokovic has previously mentioned that he would consider competing at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, and according to Ivanisevic, it would be realistic for him, considering how he plays.
"If you look at that, he can play until LA. Motivation is another matter — showing up, training — he’s 38. But here, he looks ready, playing well, I get the sense he sees his opportunity. He just has to manage the nerves — sometimes that… I won’t say it 'eats him up,' but it affects his execution."
Ivanisevic also spoke about Djokovic's chances at Grand Slams. The Serbian lost in the semi-finals of last year's Australian Open, withdrew before the French Open quarter-finals last year, lost in the Wimbledon final, and exited the US Open already in the third round.
This year, he retired from his semi-final match at the Australian Open and lost in the semi-finals of the Roland Garros to Jannik Sinner. Ivanisevic thinks that if the 24-time Grand Slam champion wasn't injured, he would have beaten Alexander Zverev in Melbourne.
On top of that, the Croatian coach also thinks that this year's Wimbledon is not Djokovic's last chance to win a Grand Slam. He will have more chances in the future, according to Ivanisevic.
"And it’s not his last chance — he has a shot at the US Open too. In Melbourne this year — if he hadn’t gotten injured, no way Zverev beats him, and the final with Sinner would have been interesting."
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