Goran Ivanisevic reveals one feat that Novak Djokovic ‘feels like he owes to someone’
Novak Djokovic has accomplished just about everything in tennis and will go down as the greatest tennis player of all time when he finally decides to hang up his racket, but there is one big prize missing from his CV.
The reigning world No 1 has the record for most Grand Slams as his tally currently stands at 24, he has won a record 40 ATP Masters 1000 trophies, he is the only man to win a Career Golden Masters (all nine ATP Masters titles) and he has spent a record 419 weeks and counting at the top of the ATP Rankings.
But the big piece of silverware missing from his extensive list of trophies and accolades is an Olympic gold medal and his former coach Goran Ivanisevic admits he is desperate to get his hands on one.
He does have an Olympic medal to his name as he won bronze at the 2008 Beijing Games, but there has been a lot of disappointment at the Olympics since then.
At the 2012 London Games he was beaten by Andy Murray in the semi-final and then lost the bronze medal match against Juan Martin del Potro. Four years later Del Potro once again had his number as the Argentine upset him in the first round.
But perhaps Djokovic’s toughest loss at the Olympics came at the Tokyo Games in 2021 as he was chasing a Golden Slam as he had already won the Australian Open, French Open and Wimbledon that year.
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However, his dreams were shattered by Alexander Zverev in the semi-final and he left the court in tears.
Djokovic will get another shot at glory this year as the Paris Games will take place at Roland Garros from July 27 to August 4 this year.
Ivanisevic, who parted ways with the Serbian recently following a five-year working relationship, shared his thoughts on his and Djokovic’s biggest desire.
“I believe that Novak will find motivation, I am sure of it,” he told Sport Klub. “I wish him Olympic gold with all my heart, even more than the Slams.
“It’s something that he wants, he feels like he owes it to someone, although he doesn’t owe anyone anything… I wish for him to succeed at the Olympics.”
Although Djokovic’s start to the season hasn’t been great, Ivanisevic continues to firmly believe in the Serb.
Ivanisevic also backed Djokovic to find his mojo again after his stuttering start to the 2024 season. The world No 1 is 8-3 this year with his defeats in the semi-final of the Australian Open and third round of the Indian Wells Open proving to big talking points with many wondering if he is past his best.
Ivanisevic told Sport Klub: “When Novak is the DJ, everybody dances to his tune. The sooner he takes over the DJ’s place, the sooner others will start to dance.”
