Djokovic was undergoing 77 procedures a day. “He is from another planet”

Novak Djokovic’s rarely seen public cry after winning the Australian Open on Sunday is a symbol of the difficult road he underwent on his way to his 10th Melbourne triumph and 22nd Grand Slam title. And his relatives and associates, including Goran Ivanisevic, went through it with him. The 35-year-old himself admits that he is difficult and he thanks the coaching staff for their patience after each tournament. And the Croat, who has been his coach for four years, bravely endures it and says straight – the Serb is an alien.

The greatest triumph of the Djokovic-Ivanisevic duo. “I’m still amazed at how his brain works sometimes”

Djokovic broke down twice after Sunday’s triumph in Melbourne. First, when he climbed up to his booth after the finals and joined his relatives and colleagues who were sitting there. Then, when he returned to the court and sat in a chair, waiting for the decoration ceremony. And during the ceremony, he admitted that winning this event was one of the biggest challenges of his life and the biggest win given the circumstances.

“I have to agree with Novak – it was by far the best triumph we had together. Not only because of what happened last year, but the last three weeks have been extremely difficult. I thought I had seen it all in 2021 when he won here with an abdominal muscle injury, but it was unbelievable.

And in the Serb’s life, when it comes to the Australian Open, a lot has happened recently. The first thing was to return to the antipodes after last year’s turmoil. He then reached Melbourne but was detained at the airport, had his visa revoked and was deported. Now, before and during the tournament, he was struggling with a thigh injury, and then there was the turmoil with his father. Srdjan Djokovic posed for a photo with fans with Russian flags banned in Melbourne Park, accusing him of supporting armed aggression against Ukraine.

While the memory of the events from a year ago and the incident with his father were obstacles, it turns out that the 35-year-old was close to not participating in this tournament due to health problems.

– Maybe not 100, but 97 percent of players, when they get this MRI result on Saturday, they go straight to the referee’s office and withdraw from the tournament. But not him. He is from another planet. His brain works differently. I’ve been working with him for four years, but I’m still amazed at how his brain works sometimes.

As he adds, Djokovic gave his all in the fight to return to a state of health that would allow him to participate in the competition.

– He underwent 77 treatments a day. It was better day by day. I did not expect that. Honestly, I was in shock. The first two rounds – ok, but the match against Grigor Dimitrov was very dangerous. But he went through it and in the end he won the tournament – ​​recalls the coach.

The tennis player’s father did not appear in his son’s box during the semi-final and final due to the incident. According to the coach, while it seemed that on Sunday the impact of this case on the Serb’s game could not be seen, in Friday’s semi-final it was.

“He was more emotional in the semi-final. First 5:1, then 5:5. Novak doesn’t usually do things like that. If he leads 5:1, he wins 6:1. It does not allow for a draw in this situation. Regardless of who he plays with. But these things happen. Fortunately, he was able to win despite all the madness around him. It is an unbelievable achievement,” emphasizes Ivanisevic.

Djokovic can scream as long as he wins. Serbian as coach of Real Madrid players

When asked if he was shocked by such an unusual emotional reaction for Djokovic after the match, he replied that both yes and no.

– He keeps everything inside and sometimes you have to explode. He was surprisingly very quiet for a hundred and a half. He didn’t say a word. Then he let it all out. It was very emotional for us and for him. It’s a great achievement. It’s been a really tough three weeks for him. He managed to overcome everything – explains the winner of Wimbledon 2001.

He and the rest of the coaching staff experienced the emotions of the 35-year-old on their own skin during the final. Sometimes during the meeting – in moments when he does not go well – Djokovic looks angry at his boxing and shouts at his colleagues. After the final, he thanked them for being patient with him. Is it really that difficult?

– I can talk about it for 10 days (smile). I was a tennis player and I was a bit crazy too. So I understand how he feels and I understand his emotions. This is a grand slam final. I have nothing against it. If it helps him. We’ve talked about it many times. I told him: you can tell me what you want, but you have to win. Otherwise you’ll have a problem. As long as he wins, it’s ok – adds the coach with a smile.

And he compares the functioning of the Serb to the work of a coach of Real Madrid players. In both cases, expectations are always at the highest level.

“If you don’t win one or two games as Real Madrid coach, you’re out. In Novak’s tennis life, it’s nice to be in the final, but ultimately you have to win. Only Grand Slam triumphs and records count. But it’s a good challenge. I’ve gotten used to it, he says.

“In the Spain-Serbia battle it is now 22:22”

He laughs when asked if he learned anything new about Djokovic during the tournament that ended on Sunday.

– He’s getting crazier. And this madness has no end. In a positive sense of the word (smile). This guy is unbelievable. I don’t know how to describe it in words. I thought I’d seen it all, then you see this. So I’ll probably see something else in the future. unbelievable. I know he’s emotional on the court. It does not matter. We say something, he says something. Summa summarum he won the Australian Open for the 10th time. And in the battle of Spain – Serbia, as in handball, it is now 22:22. This year promises to be interesting, he emphasizes.

Of course, he refers in this vivid way to the great competition for the number of Grand Slam titles won. The all-time record for men’s singles is now shared by Djokovic and Rafael Nadal. The Spaniard will turn 37 this year, the Serbian is a year younger. How long do Ivanisevic think the Serb will be able to play at the highest level?

– Two or three more years, for sure. The way he takes care of his body, his approach to everything, e.g. to food – it’s amazing. It’s an unbelievable level. We are talking about young players. It’s great for tennis, for the future of the sport. But the two combatants are still here. In Melbourne, it was Novak who played at home, now we are moving to the Rafa court in this handball match – he adds, referring to the next edition of the Grand Slam competition, which will be Roland Garros.

The Croatian appreciates the potential of young players and praises above all Carlos Alcaraz and the Greek Stefanos Tsitsipas, but there is no doubt that if Nadal, who has had more and more health problems in recent years, joins the tournament in Paris, he will be a favorite.

– Many guests can beat him, incl. Novak. But Rafa won the event 14 times. It’s amazing. The two of them really push each other forward. Eight or nine years ago I said they would beat Roger Federer. I was looked at strangely then, and now it’s 22:22. Two unbelievable lovers of competition, two unbelievable tennis players. I’m waiting for the continuation. I hope they both stay healthy and that it will be a battle. And that there will be youngsters who will try to find a backdoor to sneak in and try to make a difference. But it will still be up to these two guys to have the last word, predicts Ivanisevic.