Coaching search over? Novak Djokovic joined by ex-Slam champ during Belgrade practice

Novak Djokovic was spotted with Serbian tennis legend Nenad Zimonjic on a practice court on Friday by Telegraf reporters as Serbian media have started speculating if the former doubles world No. 1 could be the new coach of Djokovic. 

Since Wednesday, world No. 1 Djokovic has been officially without a coach after announcing he was splitting with his coach of six years Goran Ivanisevic. Djokovic’s split with Ivanisevic came at a tricky moment as the clay season is starting next week and it’s never ideal to be changing coaches mid-season. 

With that being said, many have been curious about who will fill in the blank spot created by Ivanisevic’s departure. 

Djokovic, who has been practicing on clay for a couple of days now ahead of the Monte Carlo Masters, hasn’t given any indications of who could be his next coach but Zimonjic’s presence at his coaching session might be a hint in which direction the Serb could go.

Novak Djokovic and Nenad Zimonjic© Telegraf RS

On this link, you can see all the photos and a video of Djokovic’s practice session with Zimonjic. 

Does hiring Zimonjic make sense for Djokovic?

Although Djokovic is 36, he enjoyed a historic and very successful season in 2023. But at the start of the 2024 season, things haven’t been going well for Djokovic, who has yet to win a title this season and being dismantled by Jannik Sinner in the Australian Open semifinal certainly wasn’t an easy pill to swallow for the world No. 1.

Some of the things in Djokovic’s game that probably haven’t worked that well in early 2024 are his serve and volleying. 

If Djokovic was looking to hire someone who could help him improve those areas, Zimonjic seems like an ideal candidate because he enjoyed a very successful doubles career – he won three Grand Slam titles in men’s doubles and five in mixed doubles.

Novak Djokovic and Nenad Zimonjic© Getty Images Sport – Clive Brunskill

It will be interesting to see if Zimonjic will accompany Djokovic in more practice sessions in the upcoming days and if the former doubles world No. 1 will become the 36-year-old’s new coach.