In Effort To Find “Winning Spark”, Novak Djokovic Fires Coaching Team (Keeps Pepe?)
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Struggling Novak Djokovic has announced that he has fired his coaching team, including Marian Vajda. Djokovic, who hasn’t won a title since the first week of the season in Doha, made the move in effort to find a winning spark.
In a statement, Djokovic said:
“I am forever grateful to Marian, GG and Miljan for decade of friendship, professionalism and commitment to my career goals. Without their support I couldn’t have achieved these professional heights. I know they completely dedicated themselves and their lives to help me achieve my dreams and they were always my driving force and wind in my back. It was not an easy decision, but we all felt that we need a change. I am very grateful and proud of our relationship and unbreakable bond that we built through years of mutual love, respect and understanding. They are my family and that will never change.
“I want to continue raising the level of my game and stamina and this is a continuous process. I enjoy this journey, it feels like I am starting something new again and I love this challenge. I am a hunter and my biggest goal is to find the winning spark on the court again.”
Vajda had been with Djokovic from the start in 2006.
“Time spent with Novak feels like a whole lifetime,” Vajda said. “We were part of many of his incredible achievements, we were living and breathing for his dreams. I gave everything I could as a coach and I am very proud of our results. We arrived to the point where we all realized we need new energy in the team. Novak can do so much more and I am sure he will. I am convinced that he will remain at the top of the tennis for many years and that he will bring a lot of joy to all the tennis fans around the world with his victories. Of course, we will continue consulting each other, seeing each other and hanging out together because after all, we are a family.”
With Vajda, fitness trainer Gebhard Phil Gritsch and physiotherapist Miljan Amanovic all out, Djokovic has apparently retained the controversial Pepe Imaz. And while he’s looking for a new coach, but is in no rush.
“I feel like this is a new chapter in my life. My career was always on the upward path and this time I’m experiencing how it is when the path takes you in a different direction. I want to find a way to come back to the top stronger and more resilient. I have so much faith in this process and that’s why I will take time to find the right person who I can connect with professionally. I have been on the tour long enough to know how to manage daily routines and I don’t want to rush my decision. I will be on the tour alone for a while with support of my family and management. I will inform the public when I find the right person, but for now I thank you for your support and understanding.”
The announcement comes in a very important ranking points stretch for the Serb. Djokovic, who turns 30 later this month, returns to action next week for his title defense in Madrid then has the Rome finals and French Open title points coming off.
A year ago, Djokovic was on top of the tennis world. Now, no one remains from that coaching team including Boris Becker who parted from the camp in December.
Novak and wife Jelena are expecting a second baby late this summer.
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