Novak Djokovic’s next coach: Marian Vajda, John McEnroe or Novak Djokovic to coach himself?

The search for a new coach is on for Novak Djokovic as looks to find a new mentor for the final stretch of his career following Goran Ivanisevic’s departure.

Djokovic caught the tennis world by surprise this week when he announced that he and Ivanisevic “decided to stop working together a few days ago”.

The move came on the back of a stuttering start to the 2024 season for the 24-time Grand Slam winner as he is 8-3 for the year and without a title after losing in the semi-final of the Australian Open and in the third round of the Indian Wells Open.

He admitted after his most recent defeat that being without a trophy at this stage of the year was “not something I’m used to”, but then pulled out of the Miami Open as he opted to focus on the clay-court season.

Following Ivanisevic’s exit, Djokovic admitted that he doesn’t quite know yet whom he will turn to.

“I still don’t have a clear idea who a new coach would be, or whether there will be one at all,” he said.

“I’ve had coaches since I was a kid, now I am trying to feel by myself what I need, what I feel most comfortable with. You will be informed in case someone joins the team.”

READ: Novak Djokovic explains shock Goran Ivanisevic split and makes surprise coach admission

So what are the options?

Novak Djokovic To Go It Alone?

The man himself admitted he doesn’t know “whether there will be one at all” so it is clearly an option as at this late stage of his career he knows what works, and what doesn’t work so why even have a coach?

He could always bring in a consultant if he needs tweaks to certain aspects, much like Ivanisevic improved his serving game, he could work with someone in the short term to improve other facets of his game.

Djokovic has talked about not wanting a big entourage and his current team consists of physiotherapists Miljan Amanovic and Claudio Zimaglia, fitness coach Marco Panichi, his agent Carlos Gomez, and business manager Mark Maden.

Marian Vajda

There is no doubt that the first doubt that popped into everyone’s mind when the Ivanisevic announcement was made was Marian Vajda.

The Slovakian had two incredibly successful spells as the Serbian’s coach with the first lasting from 2006 to 2017 as guided a young Djokovic to his first Grand Slam in 2008. They went on to dominate the sport as they won another 11 majors – including three during his dominant 2011 season – with Djokovic also becoming world No 1.

They went their separate ways in 2017 before Vajda returned in 2018 after Djokovic’s unsuccessful stint with Andre Agassi. Not long after their reunion, Djokovic won Wimbledon and the US Open.

They won six more titles before Djokovic decided to only go with one coach in Ivanisevic in May 2022.

Vajda has been coaching fellow Slovak Alex Molcan since 2022, but if it would be hard to turn down Djokovic if he does come calling with Andy Roddick admitting he “always ends back with Vajda”.

“I’ll be curious to see who he goes to next. It seems like he kind of always ends up back with [Marian] Vajda when something like this happens. That’s happened a couple of times,” he told Tennis Channel.

Boris Becker

Roddick also wouldn’t rule out another stint with Becker as he said in the same interview “This is pure speculation, I know nothing, but it wouldn’t shock me to see Becker in the mix of that conversation”.

But Becker is a difficult one as he recently parted ways with Holger Rune as he admitted he wasn’t able to fully commit to the Dane.

“I realised that in order for this to be successful, I would need to be available for Holger much more than I can,” the German said.

Becker still has restrictions in terms of travelling to certain countries due to his criminal conviction for hiding assets and loans to avoid paying debts.

John McEnroe

Another left-field suggestion is John McEnroe with John Lloyd telling Tennis Channel: “I would go with someone like John McEnroe. I know he probably wouldn’t do it. I think he’s gotta go somewhere. He doesn’t need someone who’s going to be doing drills and stuff.”

McEnroe often suggests that he is willing to coach top players, but he hasn’t really gone down that road with Milos Raonic (2016) the biggest name on his CV.

Back in January 2022 he said he would be happy to coach Jannik Sinner on a part-time basis, but nothing came of it.

“I am definitely available on a part-time basis, helping Jannik Sinner getting over the hump – which I’ll believe he’ll get over whether I coach him or not,” he told Eurosport.

MORE: Novak Djokovic told to hire John McEnroe as coach in ‘left-field’ suggestion by former pro

Nenad Zimonjic

Former player Nenad Zimonjic has been training with Djokovic since the tennis great announced his split from Ivanisevic.

The 47-year-old Zimonjic reached a career-high of No 176 and had two stints as Serbia’s Davis Cup captain – first from 2003 to 2004 and then again from 2017 until December 2020.

He was also at the helm when Serbia won the 2020 ATP Cup with Djokovic playing a starring role.