Novak Djokovic has explained the close relationship he shares with Nenad Zimonjic as he enters 2024 Monte Carlo Masters where the fellow-Serbian will accompany him.
The 24-time Grand Slam champion revealed he has known Zimonjic really well for over 20 years and told that he sees former tennis professional as an older brother.
Djokovic has made a winless start to 2024 while also announcing a split with his former coach Goran Ivanisevic last month. Already accompanying the 36-year-old in Monte Carlo, it appears that Zimonjic would join forces with the Djokovic to fill the vacuum created by Ivanisevic’s departure.
Talking to Sport Klub, Ivanisevic gave his full backing to Zimonjic as the new contender: “I don’t know for how much longer Novak plans to keep on playing, but the perfect person is with him at the moment – ‘Ziki’.
“He is a great friend of mine, we went through a lot together and I love him. He has vast tennis knowledge, but what is most important – he knows Novak really well.
“At the moment, Novak doesn’t need someone completely new, who is yet to get to know him. Let’s say 10 days pass, Novak ‘goes crazy’ and this new coach is left wondering what is going on.
“I have a theory – men from the Balkans can coach anyone, but only someone from this, our region can coach a Balkan player. Marian [Vajda] is Slovak, we’re close and we know each other well. Boris [Becker] also worked well with Novak, but his tennis IQ is off the charts.”
Before entering the first clay Masters 1000 event of the season in Monaco, Djokovic explained the history he shares with Zimonjic and explained how the 47-year-old doubles expert has already been helping him out in his net game.
“We have known each other really well for more than 20 years. He’s been always like an older brother to me. A mentor, a friend, who always tried to help me as a person and as a player,” said the Serbian the World No. 1 while talking to Eurosport.
“When I stopped with Goran, I was starting my clay-court preparation in Belgrade and he was there. He came to the court, and we really enjoyed our collaboration and I asked him to come here for a few weeks.
“We are trying to make the most of it. He’s been giving me really useful advice to find the proper position when I’m approaching the net, and it’s something I’m not best at because I don’t play as many doubles matches.
“And Nenad was one of the best doubles players in the world, he’s won many Slams and tournaments, been No 1 on the tour.”
Djokovic will face the winner of Jaume Munar and Roman Safiullin in his opening test at the event.