• Novak Djokovic during practice ahead of the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships on Sunday, February 20, 2022. Reuters
    Novak Djokovic during practice ahead of the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships on Sunday, February 20, 2022. Reuters
  • Novak Djokovic during a training session ahead of the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships. EPA
    Novak Djokovic during a training session ahead of the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships. EPA
  • Novak Djokovic trains in Dubai on Sunday. EPA
    Novak Djokovic trains in Dubai on Sunday. EPA
  • Novak Djokovic trains for the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships at the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Stadium. Getty
    Novak Djokovic trains for the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships at the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Stadium. Getty
  • Novak Djokovic after a training session in Dubai. AFP
    Novak Djokovic after a training session in Dubai. AFP
  • Novak Djokovic prepares for the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships. EPA
    Novak Djokovic prepares for the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships. EPA
  • Djokovic at the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Stadium. Reuters
    Djokovic at the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Stadium. Reuters
  • Novak Djokovic trains in Dubai. AP
    Novak Djokovic trains in Dubai. AP

Novak Djokovic confirms split with long-time coach Marian Vajda


  • English
  • Arabic

Novak Djokovic has confirmed he has split with long-time coach Marian Vajda at the end of the 2021 season.

The world No 1 made the announcement on his website, ending one of tennis's most enduring and successful partnerships.

Slovak Vajda has been a near-constant throughout Djokovic's career, helping the Serb win 20 Grand Slam titles on his way to becoming one of the greatest players of all time.

“Marian has been by my side during the most important and memorable moments in my career," Djokovic said on his website.

"Together we have achieved some incredible things and I am very grateful for his friendship and dedication over the last 15 years.

"While he might be leaving the professional team he will always be family and I can’t thank him enough for all he has done."

The pair parted ways after the ATP Finals in Turin, Djokovic's website said. Vajda headed a backroom team that together helped Djokovic sit at the top of the ATP rankings for an unprecedented 361 weeks.

“During my time with Novak, I have been lucky to watch him transform into the player he is today," said Vajda.

"I will look back on our time together with immense pride and am so very thankful for the success we have achieved.

"I remain his biggest support on and off the court and look forward to new challenges."

Djokovic lost his world No 1 ranking to Russian Daniil Medvedev this week after suffering a shock 6-4, 7-6 defeat by Czech qualifier Jiri Vesely in the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships quarter-finals.

It was Djokovic's first tournament of the year after he was unable to defend his Australian Open title in January and compete for a record 21st Grand Slam after being deported from the country over his lack of Covid-19 vaccination.

Spanish rival Rafa Nadal won the Melbourne Park tournament and took a record 21st Grand Slam crown in his absence.

Croatian former Wimbledon champion Goran Ivanisevic joined Djokovic's coaching team in 2019 and will continue to work closely with the Serb.

Djokovic's 20 Grand Slams

  • 2008: Novak Djokovic beats Jo-Wilfried Tsonga 4–6, 6–4, 6–3, 7–6 to win the Australian Open.
    2008: Novak Djokovic beats Jo-Wilfried Tsonga 4–6, 6–4, 6–3, 7–6 to win the Australian Open.
  • 2011: Djokovic beats Andy Murray 6–4, 6–2, 6–3 to win the Australian Open .
    2011: Djokovic beats Andy Murray 6–4, 6–2, 6–3 to win the Australian Open .
  • 2011: Novak Djokovic beats Rafael Nadal 6–4, 6–1, 1–6, 6–3 to win Wimbledon.
    2011: Novak Djokovic beats Rafael Nadal 6–4, 6–1, 1–6, 6–3 to win Wimbledon.
  • 2011: Djokovic beats Rafael Nadal 6–2, 6–4, 6–7, 6–1 to win the US Open.
    2011: Djokovic beats Rafael Nadal 6–2, 6–4, 6–7, 6–1 to win the US Open.
  • 2012: Djokovic beats Rafael Nadal 5–7, 6–4, 6–2, 6–7, 7–5 to win the Australian Open.
    2012: Djokovic beats Rafael Nadal 5–7, 6–4, 6–2, 6–7, 7–5 to win the Australian Open.
  • 2013: Djokovic beats Andy Murray 6–7, 7–6, 6–3, 6–2 to win the Australian Open.
    2013: Djokovic beats Andy Murray 6–7, 7–6, 6–3, 6–2 to win the Australian Open.
  • 2014: Djokovic triumphs 6–7, 6–4, 7–6, 5–7, 6–4 against Roger Federer for the Wimbledon title.
    2014: Djokovic triumphs 6–7, 6–4, 7–6, 5–7, 6–4 against Roger Federer for the Wimbledon title.
  • 2015: Djokovic beats Andy Murray 7–6, 6–7, 6–3, 6–0 for victory at the Australian Open.
    2015: Djokovic beats Andy Murray 7–6, 6–7, 6–3, 6–0 for victory at the Australian Open.
  • 2015: Djokovic beats Roger Federer 7-6, 6-7, 6-4, 6-3 to win Wimbledon.
    2015: Djokovic beats Roger Federer 7-6, 6-7, 6-4, 6-3 to win Wimbledon.
  • 2015: Djokovic beats Roger Federer 6–4, 5–7, 6–4, 6–4 to win the US Open.
    2015: Djokovic beats Roger Federer 6–4, 5–7, 6–4, 6–4 to win the US Open.
  • 2016: Djokovic beats Andy Murray 6-1, 7-5, 7-6 to win the Australian Open.
    2016: Djokovic beats Andy Murray 6-1, 7-5, 7-6 to win the Australian Open.
  • 2016: Djokovic beats Andy Murray 3–6, 6–1, 6–2, 6–4 for the French Open.
    2016: Djokovic beats Andy Murray 3–6, 6–1, 6–2, 6–4 for the French Open.
  • 2018: Djokovic crushes Kevin Anderson 6–2, 6–2, 7–6 to win Wimbledon.
    2018: Djokovic crushes Kevin Anderson 6–2, 6–2, 7–6 to win Wimbledon.
  • 2018: Djokovic beats Juan Martin del Potro 6–3, 7–6, 6–3 for his third US Open.
    2018: Djokovic beats Juan Martin del Potro 6–3, 7–6, 6–3 for his third US Open.
  • 2019: Djokovic beats Rafael Nadal 6-3, 6-2, 6-3 for victory at the Australian Open.
    2019: Djokovic beats Rafael Nadal 6-3, 6-2, 6-3 for victory at the Australian Open.
  • 2019: Djokovic beats Roger Federer 7-6, 1-6, 7-6, 4-6, 13-12 to win Wimbledon.
    2019: Djokovic beats Roger Federer 7-6, 1-6, 7-6, 4-6, 13-12 to win Wimbledon.
  • 2020: Djokovic triumphs 6–4, 4–6, 2–6, 6–3, 6–4 against Dominic Thiem for the Australian Open.
    2020: Djokovic triumphs 6–4, 4–6, 2–6, 6–3, 6–4 against Dominic Thiem for the Australian Open.
  • 2021: Djokovic celebrates a 7–5, 6–2, 6–2 victory against Daniil Medvedev to win his ninth Australian Open.
    2021: Djokovic celebrates a 7–5, 6–2, 6–2 victory against Daniil Medvedev to win his ninth Australian Open.
  • 2021: Djokovic beats Stefanos Tsitsipas 6–7, 2–6, 6–3, 6–2, 6–4 for his second French Open.
    2021: Djokovic beats Stefanos Tsitsipas 6–7, 2–6, 6–3, 6–2, 6–4 for his second French Open.
  • 2021: Djokovic beats Matteo Berrettini 6-7, 6-4, 6-4, 6-3 to win Wimbledon for the sixth time.
    2021: Djokovic beats Matteo Berrettini 6-7, 6-4, 6-4, 6-3 to win Wimbledon for the sixth time.
Updated: March 02, 2022, 8:49 AM