After 12 Grand Slam wins together, Djokovic and coach Ivanisevic part ways

When Novak Djokovic enlisted the services of Goran Ivanisevic as a member of his coaching team in 2018, there were uncertainties surrounding their collaboration. Ivanisevic, a revered Croatian tennis legend and Wimbledon champion, brought a wealth of teaching experience to the table. But Djokovic's reputation for his fiery temper and reckless pursuit of excellence raised questions about how their partnership would unfold. 

Yet, this dynamic duo has proven to be one of the most formidable player-coach combinations in the history of tennis, resulting in Djokovic's incredible collection of 12 Grand Slam titles. Ivanisevic's impact on Djokovic's game has been widely acknowledged. The Croatian coach played a pivotal role in refining Djokovic's already fearsome skills, transforming the 36-year-old Serbian from a formidable opponent to an almost invincible force on the court.  

However, as is often the case, happiness has a way of being fleeting. In a stunning announcement on Wednesday, Djokovic confirmed that he has parted ways with Ivanisevic, bringing an abrupt end to their coaching partnership.

"I remember clearly the moment I invited Goran to be part of my team. It was back in 2018, and Marian and I were looking to innovate and bring some serve magic to our duo," wrote Djokovic on Instagram.

"In fact, not only we brought serve, but also lots of laughter, fun, year end No.1 rankings, record breaking achievements and 12 more Grand Slams (and a few finals) to the count since then. Did I mention a bit of drama too? Goran and I decided to stop working together a few days ago. Our on-court chemistry had its ups and downs, but our friendship was always rock solid."

"I am proud to say that apart from winning tournaments together, we also had a side battle in [the board game] Parchisi going on ... for many years. And that tournament never stops for us. Thanks for everything my friend. Love you."

Djokovic has not disclosed the specific reasons for his separation from Ivanisevic. However, it is conceivable that his recent dip in form played a pivotal role in this decision. He suffered a surprising defeat to Jannik Sinner at the Australian Open, marking his first loss at the tournament since 2018. He then faced another unexpected setback at Indian Wells, where he was shockingly beaten by the 123rd-ranked Italian player Luca Nardi. 

In light of these disappointing performances, Djokovic opted to skip the ongoing Miami Open, citing the need to strike a balance between his personal and professional commitments.  

Only time will tell if Djokovic's bold decision will yield fruitful results. With the French Open just around the corner in May, it presents the next opportunity for Djokovic to regain his form. As he sets his sights on Paris, it's worth noting that he is just one Grand Slam title away from surpassing Margaret Court's record of 24, which would make him the most successful singles player in the history of the sport.