Novak Djokovic mulls over playing without a coach

Serbian tennis player and World No. 1 Novak Djokovic feels he is at a stage in his career where he thinks he can compete without a professional coach. Djokovic, who has won 24 Grand Slam titles, ended a five-year partnership with his coach, Croatian Goran Ivanisevic, last month.

Speaking after receiving the World Sportsman of the Year award at the Laureus World Sports Awards, Djokovic said he is still pondering over the thought of playing without a coach. “I am considering whether I should or shouldn’t have the coach. I had a really good time with (Nenad) Zimonjic. We were talking about continuing. Let’s see, I’m going to make the decision in the next period,” he said.

After ending a professional stint with Ivanisevic, Djokovic had doubles World No. 1 Nenad Zimonjic in tow when he played at the Monte-Carlo Masters earlier this month.

However, Djokovic cleared the air on his thoughts and said while there is always value added with a coaching team in tow, he is at a stage in his career where he can go without one. “It is not like I think I don’t need a coach at all. I think there’s always value in having that quality team. But I think I’m in the stage of my career where I can afford to maybe think having no coach is also an option,” he added.

The 36-year-old, who is gunning to win his 25th major title and become the first-ever to reach that landmark, said he will not play the Madrid Open, keeping the two upcoming Grand Slams in mind. “I’m preparing my body to be ready, particularly for Roland Garros, Wimbledon, Olympic Games and the US Open. That’s the most important block of the year for me,” he added.

He said he would play in the Rome Masters and added that he could bring out his best tennis at the French Open. “I’m intending on playing in Rome. This year has been a bit different for me, the start - I’m still finding my best level of tennis. Hopefully that can still come in Roland Garros,” he concluded.