'I still have something to give to the tennis' - Goran Ivanisevic reflects on buoyant stint with Novak Djokovic as he eyes up future coaching role

After a rough stint coaching Stefanos Tsitsipas, Goran Ivanisevic has reminised on the five years he coached 24-time Grand Slam champion Novak Djokovic. The pair enjoyed a successful stint in the past before the Serbian moved him on.

The former world number three looked to the coaching of Ivanisevic to help him through a rough patch. He hired the Croatian after going out of Roland Garros in the second round. This was a tournament he was very close to w inning back in 2021, after going into a two-set lead against Djokovic, before he made an unbelievable comeback to win yet another major title.

The duo's time together only lasted the grass season, which also turned out to be a massive disappointment. The Greek won his first game at Halle against Luciano Darderi in three sets before coming a cropper to American Alex Michelsen in the second round. At Wimbledon, Ivanisevic could only look on as Tsitsipas was dumped out by qualifer Valentin Royer, losing the first two sets before calling it quits due to injury.

The 53-year-old was very displeased at Tsitsipas, and even publically came out and criticised him. He said: "I’ve never seen such a poorly prepared player in my life. Me, at my age and with this bad knee, I’m three times in better shape than him." Enough was enough for both of them, and the pair split after spending under two months together, citing disagreements in their relationship. The 27-year-old has since reunited with his dad. He will be hoping that he can return to the imperious form he once showed.

Ivanisevic prepares for the future

Now, without anyone to coach, the former Wimbledon champion is assessing his options on what to do next. He has had a decorated career as a coach, with his most successful period coming after coaching Djokovic between 2019-2024. While together, Djokovic dominated into his 30s, winning eight Grand Slams, including two against Tsitsipas.

In an interview with First and Red, he has since reiterated that he is the 'best tennis player in history' and described the period working with him as 'beautiful'. He stated that his ideal job would be somehting similar to what he had with the Serbian, but if that is not possible, then he would not rule out a return to tennis in the future.

“He broke all the records. I witnessed unbelievable things being with the best tennis player in history," Ivanisevic said. " But I like to work, I like to do this job, and for me, it's if I’m gonna think how I was working with Novak, how can I work with anybody else, then I will never work in tennis anymore, then I should maybe retire, but I don’t think like that. My period with Novak, beautiful five years, I’m never gonna forget, we stayed friends, we’re gonna always be friends, and that’s finished now, you know, it’s present time and I like t o be on the tennis court. I think I still have something to give to the tennis and to teach somebody if they’re going to listen and cooperate.”

The Croatian has, in the past, partnered with many top players. This included Marin Cilic between 2013-2016, overseeing him win his sole Grand Slam title back in 2014 at Flushing Meadows. He had short stints with former Wimbledon finalist Milos Raonic and Tomas Berdych before, at the end of last year, having a trial period with former Grand Slam champion Elena Rybakina, before she returned to the clutches of her old coach. His decorated resume is sure to get onlookers licking their lips at the chance of having him in their corner at tournaments, but we will have to wait and see who it will be.