"Novak Djokovic was a little bit lost...I managed to fix it" - Nenad Zimonjic on Serb's 2024 struggles
Novak Djokovic's mentor and close friend Nenad Zimonjic recently spoke up about working with the former World No. 1 earlier in 2024 for the Monte-Carlo Masters and the Italian Open. Zimonjic revealed that when he started collaborating with his compatriot this year, the latter seemed "lost". However, the 48-year-old opined that their work eventually reaped rewards for the 24-time Major champion.
After a hugely successful 2023, which saw Djokovic win three Grand Slams, two Masters 1000 titles and the year-end Nitto ATP Finals, there were expectations that the Serb would continue in the same vein this year. However, things didn't turn out that way, as youngsters Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz upped their games while the Serb's own game was riddled with inconsistencies.
The former World No. 1 was ousted by eventual champion Sinner in the Australian Open semifinals. He then suffered a shocking loss to lucky loser Luca Nardi in the third round of the BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells. Not long after, Novak Djokovic announced that he and coach Goran Ivanisevic had parted ways.
Ahead of starting his clay season at the Monte-Carlo Masters, the Serb roped in former doubles No. 1 Nenad Zimonjic into his team as a temporary coach. Zimonjic has known Djokovic since the latter was 12 years old. In a recent interview with Ubitennis, the 48-year-old laid bare the predicament he faced when he started working with the 24-time Major winner ahead of the Monte-Carlo Masters.
"Earlier this year I found him in a situation where he was not really motivated and he was a little bit lost with his game, having no good results compared to 2023 and struggling after Australia this year," Zimonjic said.
The 48-year-old stated that his collaboration with his compatriot resolved several of the issues that the latter was experiencing. According to Zimonjic, their collective efforts ultimately resulted in Djokovic winning the men's singles gold medal at the Paris Olympics.
"I managed to fix it quite quickly and unexpectedly. Novak didn’t have any expectations before Monte Carlo, but the two weeks that we worked together before the tournament helped him reach the semi-finals. Those new things we worked on during this period also helped him win gold at the Paris Olympics which was his biggest goal," Zimonjic added.
The 99-time ATP Tour-level titlist sent shockwaves across the tennis fraternity when he announced that one of his great rivals would coach him with the 2025 Australian Open in mind.
Novak Djokovic to be coached by Andy Murray for Australian Open 2025
On Saturday, November 23, Djokovic shared a video on X through which he confirmed that one of his fiercest former rivals, Andy Murray, would be coaching him in a bid to ensure that the Serb is at the top of his game come the 2025 Australian Open. The 24-time Grand Slam champion captioned the post:
"He never liked retirement anyway," a play on Murray's own post following the Brit's retirement at the Paris Olympics.
In the video itself, the 99-time ATP Tour-level title winner said:
"I thought our story maybe over, but turns out there was one final chapter. It is time for one of my toughest opponents to step into my corner, welcome on board, coach Andy Murray."
The Serb finished the 2024 season as the World No. 7 after choosing to withdraw from the Nitto ATP Finals with an unspecified injury.