Novak Djokovic splits from coaches Agassi and Stepanek

Published by Tennismash

Stepanek (left) joined Agassi (centre) at the end of 2017 to work with Djokovic; Getty Images
Novak Djokovic confirms that he will no longer be working with Andre Agassi and reveals that Radek Stepanek is also leaving his team.

Novak Djokovic has announced that he will no longer be working with coaches Andre Agassi and Radek Stepanek.

The Serb said that he and Stepanek had “decided to end their cooperation”, adding at the end of the statement that the “cooperation between Novak and Andre Agassi has also ended.”

Djokovic, a 12-time Grand Slam champion, brought in eight-time major winner Agassi to help ahead of last year’s French Open as the Serb looked to rediscover his dominant form of 12 months earlier.

However, Djokovic would not get past the quarterfinals at Roland Garros and then Wimbledon, after which he chose to end his season and try to fully recover from a long-term elbow problem.

Former world number eight Stepanek joined the Serb’s coaching team after ending his playing career at the end of last season but the new year would not bring any upturn in form – the six-time Australian Open champion went out in the fourth round in Melbourne, before losing his opening matches in Indian Wells and Miami.

It was the first time in 11 years that Djokovic had lost three matches in a row.

Djokovic underwent minor elbow surgery in February and has looked a shadow of his former self on court in 2018.

News of the break-up of his coaching team emerged last weekend when Agassi gave a statement to ESPN, saying: “With only the best of intentions I tried to help Novak.

“We far too often found ourselves agreeing to disagree. I wish him only the best moving forward.”

Djokovic is next scheduled to play at the Monte Carlo Masters, which begins on April 15th.

The 30-year-old added that he “remains focused and eager to come back stronger and more resilient from long injury break that has affected his confidence and game”.

Novak Djokovic announcement

 

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