Djokovic mulls going without coach after 20 years as a professional

MADRID: World number one Novak Djokovic is considering going without a coach after 20 years in professional tennis, the Serb said after receiving the top men’s honour at the Laureus awards.

The 24-time Grand Slam title-winner ended a five-year partnership with Croatian coach Goran Ivanisevic last month following his third-round exit at Indian Wells.

He had former doubles world number one Nenad Zimonjic with him at the Monte-Carlo Masters earlier this month, but the 36-year-old is pondering whether to navigate this late stage of his tennis career by himself.

“I am considering whether I should or shouldn’t have the coach,” Djokovic said on Monday. “I had a really good time with Zimonjic... we’re talking about continuing. Let’s see, I’m going to make the decision in the next period.”

“It’s 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.”

Djokovic also confirmed that he will skip the Madrid Open. “I’m preparing my body to be ready particularly for Roland Garros, Wimbledon, Olympic Games and U.S. Open. That’s the most important block of the year for me.

“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 said. Sinner not heaping pressure on himself with top ranking in sight

World number two Jannik Sinner can close in on Novak Djokovic at the top of the world rankings by lifting the Madrid Open title but the in-form Italian said he is not putting any extra pressure on himself after a superb start to the season.

With Djokovic skipping the Masters tournament to stay in top shape for the Grand Slams and the Olympic Games, Australian Open champion Sinner would pick up 1,000 points and move to within 330 of the Serb if he wins his fourth trophy of 2024.

“I don’t want to put pressure on myself. I’m living a very positive moment, winning a lot of matches, I just try to keep going like this,” Sinner, who has lost only two of his 27 matches this year, told reporters.

“In my mind, I know that I can and have to improve if I want to win more. I’m searching for new opportunities and I feel like that every tournament I play, there can be a good opportunity to show that my level has raised.