"It was a very difficult separation" - Novak Djokovic's former coach opens up about his relationship with Serb
Novak Djokovic and his former coach Marian Vajda won 20 Grand Slams together during their 15-year long association. The pair ended their working relationship in November 2021, and in May 2022 Vajda began coaching fellow Slovak Alex Molcan.
Djokovic announced the split on his website and thanked Marian Vajda for his friendship and dedication over the years. He also stated that while Vajda was leaving his professional team, he would always be family for him.
“Marian has been by my side during the most important and memorable moments in my career. Together we have achieved some incredible things and I am very grateful for his friendship and dedication over the last 15 years,” Novak Djokovic said at the time.
“While he might be leaving the professional team he will always be family and I can’t thank him enough for all he has done.”
Vajda has now opened up about his current relationship with the World No. 1. In a recent interview, he said that their personal relationship is still going strong.
Vajda explained that their working relationship ended due to a professional issue. Djokovic made the decision to travel with a smaller team around him as he would be participating in fewer tournaments moving forward.
Vajda said that Goran Ivanisevic, who joined the Serb in 2019, was the prioritized member of the coaching team.
"The relationship continues well, but it was cut off due to a professional issue. We spent 15 years together. He decided to play fewer tournaments and be with a smaller team, and Goran is number one on the team," Vajda told Olé.
The Slovak further said that while the separation was emotionally taxing for both of them, they could only keep moving forward.
"It was a very difficult separation on an emotional level for both, but life goes on and Novak continues to be Novak," Vajda continued.
He went on to add that they have stabilized their respective careers since their separation and are comfortable in their new environments.
"He's stabilizing, he knows how to train, how to get along with Goran. I'm fine, he's fine. And that's how it has to be," the Slovak said.
Marian Vajda says he missed being a part of Novak Djokovic's triumph in Australia
When asked if he missed being with the 22-time Grand Slam champion, Marian Vajda replied in the affirmative. He said that he would have liked to be present for Novak Djokovic's victory at the 2023 Australian Open because of the emotional nature of the moment.
"At the Australian Open, I saw his great relief for what happened last year and for the injury he suffered during the tournament. Emotions could be felt. In that sense, I do miss being in those moments," Vajda said.
He also said that with restrictions being lifted this year, he hopes to see the Serb more frequently on tour and witness him win more Grand Slam titles.
"Also, this year they removed the restrictions and he can play more tournaments. I would like to meet him more often on tour and see him win more Grand Slams," the Slovak added.
Novak Djokovic will return to the court at the ATP 500 Dubai Open, which is scheduled to begin on February 27. He will feature alongside Rafael Nadal, Andrey Rublev, Daniil Medvedev and Andy Murray in the packed draw, among others.