In a last-minute shake-up ahead of Roland Garros, Novak Djokovic has added longtime friend and former Davis Cup teammate Viktor Troicki to his coaching team.
The 38-year-old (who turns 39 tomorrow) confirmed the news on Instagram with a photo of the two embracing on the clay courts of Paris, captioned: “Welcome my friend, teammate and now coach… Viktor Troicki.”
The announcement comes during one of the most uncertain stretches of Djokovic’s legendary career. The third seed arrives in Paris having skipped Miami, Monte Carlo and Madrid with a right shoulder injury, making his defeat to qualifier Dino Prizmic at the Italian Open his only clay-court match of the season.
A Partnership Built on Trust
Troicki joins an existing coaching setup that includes Boris Bosnjakovic, rather than stepping in as a sole head coach. The appointment is most likely grounded in deep familiarity rather than the fresh tactical perspectives brought by more recent collaborators like Andy Murray, who parted ways with Djokovic in 2025.
Their bond runs deep: the two grew up together in the Serbian tennis system, compiled a 13-1 head-to-head on the ATP Tour, won Serbia’s Davis Cup title together in 2010, and captured the ATP Cup in 2020. Troicki also played a key role during Djokovic’s emotional Olympic gold medal run on these same Roland Garros courts in 2024.
Troicki, a former world No. 12 and three-time ATP singles champion, retired in 2021 and has since served as Serbia’s Davis Cup captain while coaching rising stars Hamad Medjedovic and Miomir Kecmanovic.
Racing the Clock in Paris
The timing highlights the urgency of Djokovic’s current situation. Entering as the No. 3 seed – a position boosted by defending champion Carlos Alcaraz’s withdrawal through injury – Djokovic is ranked No. 4 in the world and has struggled for match sharpness all spring.
After his early exit in Rome, Djokovic noted: “I don’t recall the last time I had a preparation where I didn’t have any kind of physical issues or health issues coming into a tournament. There’s always something.”
With world No. 1 Jannik Sinner arriving on a 29-match winning streak and five Masters 1000 titles this season, Djokovic is searching for that spark again to claim an all-time record 25th Grand Slam title. Does he still have it?
It’s time for the arrogant one TO RETIRE. He’s done and dusted as far as winning any more majors is concerned.