Djokovic splits with coaches in dose of ‘shock therapy’
World No 2 takes drastic action to end his slump Sharapova faces tough start to Madrid Masters
By Simon Briggs
TENNIS CORRESPONDENT
After failing to reach so much as a semi-final since the first week of January, Novak Djokovic has taken drastic action by performing a complete clear-out of his support staff: coach, fitness trainer and physiotherapist.
The move – which Djokovic himself described as “shock therapy” – is particularly significant because of the deep bond he shared with his sacked coach, Marian Vajda, who had been his mentor and father figure since the age of 19.
“I feel like this is a new chapter in my life,” said Djokovic in a statement. “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.”
Djokovic has always sought new ideas and inspirations. His autobiography pinpointed a gluten-free diet as the single biggest spur for his period of world domination – which lasted, on and off, from 2011 until the end of last year.
This surge peaked with an extraordinary feat: the capture of four successive grand-slam titles, starting with Wimbledon in 2015 and finishing at Roland Garros last year. Since then, though, Djokovic has gradually faded from the peak of the sport.
Before the US Open, he admitted that his performances had been affected by “private issues”. Some interpreted this as a reference to a troubled marriage, but his wife Jelena is now expecting his second child. Meanwhile, it emerged that Djokovic had been visiting “guru” Pepe Imaz in Marbella for long hugs and meditation sessions.
At the end of last year, Djokovic parted company with head coach Boris Becker after three years together. His results during that period were superb. Yet it was also clear that his relationship with Becker was not as close as the one he shared with Vajda, who remained in the background as an assistant coach and the main consultant on points of technique.
“I am forever grateful to Marian, GG [fitness trainer Gebhard PhilGritsch] and Miljan [physiothera- pist Miljan Amanovic] for [a] decade of friendship, professionalism and commitment to my career goals,” said Djokovic in yesterday’s statement.
Now he intends to “be on the tour alone for a while with support of my family and management,” adding that “I don’t want to rush my decision.”
The coming days, starting in Madrid next week and continuing through Rome towards Roland Garros, will be significant. While Djok-