Novak Djokovic has surprised the tennis world with a sad announcement that his long-term relationship is over. Novak Djokovic and Goran Ivanisevic are breaking up, the tennis world number one announced on Wednesday night.
Djokovic brought Croatia’s 2001 Wimbledon champion on board as a member of the coaching team ahead of the grass court Grand Slam in 2019 and although the Serbian admitted their “on-court chemistry had its ups and downs”, it also resulted in huge success.
The pair’s relationship spanned five years where they shared 12 grand slam titles.
The pair stuck together through some dark patches in Djokovic’s life before the Serbian roared back to the top of the men’s rankings. It comes two years aft Djokovic also split from long-term mentor Marian Vajda.
Vajda guided Djokovic for 14 years. Djokovic’s personal life off the court has been rumored to have hit several obstacles in recent years, including rumors of marriage infidelity when his wife Jelena briefly went missing from his traveling entourage.
When on-court interviewer Rishi Persad put it to the Serb that they were supporting his opponent, Djokovic said there was more to it. “I know they were cheering for Rune but that’s an excuse to also boo,” he said. “I have been on the tour for more than 20 years. I know all the tricks.”
In more heartwarming scenes, the Serbian was seen playing with his daughter Tara as she watched the uncomfortable scenes with his wife Jelena. The 37-year-old tennis champion has two children with his wife Jelena, Stefan, 9, and Tara, 6. Novak also gave a nod to his girl as he pretended to play the violin with his tennis racket for his daughter after defeating Denmark’s Rune. Djokovic is on course to win the championship at Wimbledon seven times. He told the crowd on Monday “I played in much more hostile environments, trust me.”
One person who has supported him throughout his career is teen sweetheart Jelena. Djokovic married his high school girlfriend in July 2014. Despite her helping the Serbian to perform at the highest level, the couple previously opened up on the trials and tribulations they’ve encountered with their marriage being in the public eye.
In a previous on-court interview, Djokovic referred to himself as a “wolf”, and explained the phrase means that being in a relationship with him can be challenging. “It can be very stressful to run with the wolf. I know that she doesn’t enjoy it at all times. It’s kind of living on the edge with the wolf,” he said. The 36-year-old said he “carries” wolf traits within him, something his wife struggles with at times, but claimed it is ‘useful energy’. “That dynamic energy sometimes turns into a roar or an outburst.,” he said.
