In December 2018, Novak Djokovic announced that Goran Ivanisevic would join his coaching team for the 2019 season. The partnership would last five years and produce one of the most dominant stretches in modern tennis.
Context
Why Djokovic Chose Ivanisevic
By late 2018, Djokovic had returned from a significant elbow injury that had disrupted his 2017 season. He had already parted ways with coach Andre Agassi and was rebuilding his team. Ivanisevic, a former Wimbledon champion with deep knowledge of serve mechanics and grass-court strategy, was an obvious candidate.
Beyond technical expertise, Ivanisevic's own career offered a narrative that resonated: a player who had overcome repeated heartbreak to eventually triumph in the most dramatic circumstances. His understanding of mental resilience and self-belief under pressure was as valuable as any technical knowledge.
Their connection to Croatian tennis also played a role. Ivanisevic had already helped build Croatia into a tennis nation — coaching Marin Cilic to the 2014 US Open — and brought credibility as both a champion and a coach.
Season by Season
The Coaching Timeline
🏆
2019
Immediate impact: Australian Open title
Djokovic won the Australian Open within weeks of Ivanisevic joining his team, defeating Rafael Nadal in the final. He went on to win Wimbledon that year as well, claiming two of the four Slams. The partnership was immediately vindicated.
🎾
2020
Roland Garros and disrupted season
The pandemic-disrupted 2020 season included Djokovic's Roland Garros title and a US Open default for accidentally hitting a linesperson with a ball. Ivanisevic remained a stabilising presence through a turbulent year.
🏆
2021
Calendar Grand Slam attempt — three Slams won
In 2021, Djokovic won the Australian Open, Roland Garros and Wimbledon before narrowly losing the US Open final to Daniil Medvedev, falling short of a rare calendar Grand Slam. He finished the year with a record 21 Grand Slam titles at the time.
🎾
2022
Wimbledon triumph; Australian Open deportation
Djokovic was deported from Australia before the 2022 Australian Open due to visa issues over his vaccination status — one of the most controversial episodes in modern tennis. Ivanisevic supported him publicly throughout. Djokovic recovered to win Wimbledon, with Ivanisevic watching from the box.
🏆
2023
Record Grand Slam title — 23rd Slam
Djokovic won the 2023 Australian Open, Roland Garros and the US Open, claiming his 23rd and then 24th Grand Slam titles to become the outright record holder in men's tennis — surpassing Rafael Nadal's total. Ivanisevic was present for each milestone.
🤝
2024
End of partnership
After five years, Ivanisevic and Djokovic announced they had parted ways. The split was described as mutual and friendly. Djokovic won the Olympic gold medal in Paris in summer 2024 — a lifelong goal — with other coaches in his team. Ivanisevic remained one of the most successful coaches in modern tennis.
Legacy
What the Partnership Achieved
The Ivanisevic–Djokovic collaboration produced one of the great coaching partnerships in tennis history. Under their arrangement, Djokovic added multiple Grand Slam titles to his record, surpassed the all-time men's records of both Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal, and won at every major venue on the calendar.
For Ivanisevic, the role represented a second career triumph: having won Wimbledon as a player in the most unlikely circumstances, he returned to Centre Court as a coach and watched his player win there too. The journey from wildcard champion to Hall-of-Famer to Grand Slam–winning coach is one of the most complete stories in modern tennis.
His earlier coaching work with Marin Cilic, who won the 2014 US Open under his guidance, had already established his credentials. The Djokovic partnership elevated him to the elite tier of the sport's coaches.
Full coaching history → Read the complete story of Ivanisevic's coaching career — from Cilic to Djokovic — on the
Coaching Career page.
Frequently Asked Questions
Ivanisevic & Djokovic — Questions & Answers
When did Ivanisevic start coaching Djokovic?
Goran Ivanisevic joined Novak Djokovic's coaching team in December 2018, ahead of the 2019 season. He was brought in alongside existing coach Marian Vajda. His arrival coincided with a dominant period for Djokovic, who won the 2019 Australian Open within weeks of the partnership beginning.
How many Grand Slams did Djokovic win with Ivanisevic as coach?
Novak Djokovic won multiple Grand Slam titles while Goran Ivanisevic was part of his coaching team (2019–2024), including titles at Wimbledon, the Australian Open, Roland Garros and the US Open. These wins helped Djokovic surpass Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal to become the outright record-holder for most Grand Slam singles titles.
Why did Ivanisevic stop coaching Djokovic?
Goran Ivanisevic and Novak Djokovic parted ways in 2024 after five years working together. The split was announced as mutual and amicable. Djokovic subsequently brought in other coaches. Ivanisevic had been one of the longest-serving members of Djokovic's coaching staff.
What did Ivanisevic bring to Djokovic's game as a coach?
Goran Ivanisevic brought expertise in serve mechanics, grass-court strategy and mental intensity to Djokovic's coaching setup. As a former Wimbledon champion himself, his first-hand understanding of grass conditions and high-pressure finals proved particularly valuable. He also contributed his experience of navigating adversity and finding form under pressure — themes central to his own playing career.