Ivanisevic answers Djokovic’s call for help

Goran Ivanisevic has joined defending champion Novak Djokovic’s coaching staff for Wimbledon.

The 2001 champion will work with the Serbian for the first week of the tournament at the All England Club, though he is trying to shuffle his diary to be able to stay longer.

Ivanisevic, the only man to win the singles title as a wild card entry, has previously coached Marin Cilic and Milos Raonic. The 47-year-old said: “A bit of a sudden call came a few days ago. I was a little surprised.

“Unfortunately, it seems I will be able to be there only in the first week because I have obligations. I’m trying to postpone them. When Novak Djokovic is calling you, you put a lot of things on the side.”

The best performances of big-serving Ivanisevic’s career were on the grass, having been a beaten finalist three times during the 1990s before finally lifting the trophy in 2001.

Despite winning at Wimbledon four times, including last year, it remains the surface Djokovic is least comfortable on, having never played on it until he had turned professional.

Meanwhile, Stan Wawrinka believes he can be a threat at Wimbledon, even though he admits finding grass challenging. The 34-year-old has won three grand slams, but has never gone past the quarterfinals at the All England Club, having made the last eight in 2014 and 2015.

But he feels he can spring a surprise this year. He said: “I believe I am improving on this surface.

“I got some big results playing in the quarter-finals and if I can get through the first couple of rounds I can be dangerous.”

Goran Ivanisevic has joined Novak Djokovic’s team.