Goran Ivanisevic was part of tennis ace Novak Djokovic’s coaching team for years before the pair decided to go their separate ways in March
Goran Ivanisevic is taking a break from coaching after making a fortune while working with Novak Djokovic.
The ex-world No.2 was instrumental in Djokovic’s training and contributed to the tennis legend’s historic tally of 24 Grand Slam singles titles. The dynamic duo parted ways in March, and Djokovic, 37, took to social media to share his feelings about their teamwork.
“I remember clearly the moment I invited Goran to be part of my team,” Djokovic wrote. “It was back in 2018, and Marian [Vajda] and I were looking to innovate and bring some serve magic to our duo. In fact, not only we brought serve, but also lots of laughter, fun, year-end no1 rankings, record-breaking achievements and 12 more Grand Slams (and a few finals) to the count since then.”
Officially joining Djokovic’s coaching team in 2019, Ivanisevic has admitted that he began feeling worn out around last year’s US Open as he helped the Serbian stay at the pinnacle of the sport. Nevertheless, the two remain on friendly terms and Ivanisevic appears to be in no hurry to dive back into coaching, especially after enjoying hefty paydays due to Djokovic’s success.
It has been claimed that Ivanisevic earned a six-figure salary as Djokovic’s coach, with Serbian outlet Alo estimating figures between £250,000 (300,000 euros) and £418,000 (500,000 euros). With a six-year stint under his belt, Ivanisevic’s base salary could have seen him earn up to a whopping £2.5million (3,000,000 euros).
The financial arrangements between each player and coach can be flexible, but it’s common for top tennis mentors to take home 10% of their player’s winnings. Djokovic clinched three Grand Slam victories the previous year and advanced to the Wimbledon final.
This string of triumphs secured Djokovic a hefty sum of about £10million in prize money, breaking the record for most men’s singles Grand Slam titles in the process. Although the exact figure pocketed by Ivanisevic from Djokovic’s exceptional run isn’t publicly available, if the 53-year-old did receive a 10 per cent share, the Croatian would have enjoyed a £1 million windfall.
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Ivanisevic compared the prestige of coaching Djokovic to being in charge of Spanish giants Real Madrid. While he was in charge of the sport’s best-ever players, the former Wimbledon winner did not always have it easy.
“Well, it was exciting, a great honour, a big responsibility, I am very proud. It was turbulent, not regarding our collaboration, but turbulent because of everything that happened,” Ivanisevic told Tennis Majors. “We were joking in the team, wherever I go there always follows some s*** and unfortunately that’s exactly how it started from 2019: the shoulder injury at the US Open, then everything that followed with the coronavirus… But, he is an institution, Novak Djokovic is the greatest tennis player of all time, actually one of the greatest athletes of all time.”
“I get that people have the need to write something, say something, give advice, leave comments, I mean, you are always in the spotlight, as the coach you are always to blame, when Marian (Vajda) was there we shared that together but when he left I was left alone in the firing line.
“However, I am eternally grateful to Novak, he offered me an opportunity and I made the most of that opportunity. The results speak for themselves, no one can ever take them away or erase them, they are written in black and white. All in all, five wonderful years.”
