Goran Ivanisevic is Novak Djokovic’s former coach, and he watched the Olympic final from his home happily and provided his thoughts after the Serbian won the gold medal.
The two worked together for many years and achieved a lot together. Yet, despite all of that, they parted ways earlier this year, feeling like the partnership had run its course.
It came at a time when Djokovic struggled with his tennis, and there was a lot of uncertainty about the Serbian. Fast-forward to now, and he’s an Olympic gold medallist, which he became by beating Carlos Alcaraz in the final.
It fulfilled a lifelong dream for the Serbian, who failed to do it three years ago. That’s when Ivanisevic was still part of his team, and after Djokovic finally won the gold medal, the Croatian was more than happy to share his thoughts on it.
He was ecstatic because, during the time he worked with him, Ivanisevic became one of his biggest defenders. After all, he had to watch all those who criticized him for years. Now, after Djokovic was finally able to put that medal around his neck, Ivanisevic was very happy, and he told Tennis Majors all about it.
“This is just incredible, it was written somewhere that it had to happen like this. First trophy this season – Olympic gold! This scenario is the best, the sweetest.”
“Injury, surgery, bad Wimbledon final, but on Sunday we saw what will and desire can make you do. When Novak plays the way he can, he is the best in the world, nobody can touch him.”
As someone who has had many conversations about the Olympics with Djokovic, Ivanisevic knows how much this success means to him. It was evident by the way the 37-year-old celebrated it because he had never celebrated any trophy that way.
It was just pure emotion, and Ivanisevic knows why. It was his biggest wish, and that’s a huge release when it comes true.
“We spoke about it so many times, it was one of my greatest wishes for him, he wanted it badly and that’s why it was so emotional for everyone.”
What makes it even more impressive is that he did it against the player whom many, including Djokovic himself, consider the best player in the world right now. He beat the top favorite, Carlos Alcaraz, by playing on a level higher than he was.
That was impressive for Ivanisevic, who reminded that they played three weeks ago at Wimbledon, and the outcome was notably different.
“Fascinating. It is an amazing switch he was able to make in his mind, Wimbledon was only two-three weeks ago. The will, the desire, the strength… Alcaraz is 16 years younger, hits harder and is quicker, but Novak made it look like Carlos isn’t younger, quicker and doesn’t hit harder.”