CNN
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Novak Djokovik He has split with his longtime coach Marion Vajda, who had been part of the 20-time Grand Slam winner’s team for the past 15 years.
Although Djokovic has only announced the change through a statement. his websiteThe pair stopped working together last November after the 2021 ATP Finals in Turin.
It marks a turbulent start to the year for Djokovic deportation from australia In January, as well as stopping his participation in the Australian Open Loss of his world No. 1 status To Daniil Medvedev.
Previously, Vajda had provided some stability with his long association for the Serb in 2006, when Vajda was appointed as Djokovic’s head coach, a position he held until 2013 with the arrival of Boris Becker. . In his original stint as head coach, Vajda oversaw Djokovic’s transformation from hugely talented newcomer to world No. 1 and multiple Grand Slam winner by 2011.
“During my time with Novak, I have been fortunate enough to transform him into the player he is today,” Vajda said in the statement. “I will look back on our time together with great pride and I am very grateful for the success we have achieved.”
Vajda remained part of Djokovic’s coaching team under Baker until 2017, and after a brief hiatus, rejoined in 2018, coinciding with Djokovic’s return with Grand Slam victories at Wimbledon and the US Open.
Djokovic said, ‘Marion has been with me in the most important and memorable moments of my career.
“Together we have accomplished some incredible things and I am so grateful for his friendship and dedication over the past 15 years. Even if he is leaving the professional team, he will always be family and I appreciate all he has done. Can’t thank him enough.”
During their time together, Djokovic and Vajda amassed 85 ATP singles titles – including Djokovic’s 20 Grand Slam titles.
In recent years, however, Vajda has backed out a bit. Since 2019, he has shared coaching duties with Goran Ivanisevic, and has traveled to fewer tournaments.
Ivancevic will continue to work alongside Djokovic, hoping to bring him back to world No 1, a potentially difficult task given Djokovic’s persistent refusal to comply with vaccination requirements that now protect many of the world’s biggest tournaments. Huh.
Vajda, though no longer an official member of Djokovic’s team, “will be his biggest support on and off the court.”