Novak Djokovic’s coach Goran Ivanisevic has outlined three areas of the great Serbian’s game which have improved this year after his ATP Finals triumph.
Djokovic saw off world No 4 Jannik Sinner in straight sets in the final of the 2023 ATP Finals on Sunday to win a record seventh title at the year-end championships.
The 36-year-old has won seven titles this year – six of which have come at Grand Slams, the ATP Finals and Masters 1000 events – making it one of the best seasons of his remarkable career.
The world No 1 won three of the four Major tournaments in a season for the fourth time, following amazing years in 2011, 2015 and 2021.
During a press conference following Djokovic’s ATP Finals victory, Ivanisevic was asked how the Serbian is a different player now compared to a year ago.
“It’s very tough to improve with him (smiling). But he wants to improve. That’s the good thing and bad thing for me as a coach and the rest of the team. I think he improved a lot his volleys, his game at the net, and his position at the net,” explained the Croatian.
“Now when he comes to the net – okay, today he missed some easy volleys – but generally this week and this year he plays some amazing volleys. His position at the net is a lot better. Is very tough to pass him. Before he was very easy to pass.
“Now he knows what he’s doing at the net. He’s comfortable at the net. Final of US Open he played two, three most important volleys in the final against Medvedev. He’s not afraid to come to the net.
“He’s hitting the forehands much, much harder. He’s going for the shots. Serving, I think second serve, sometimes he’s hitting over 200. He’s just going for it.”
The former world No 2 also described the change he saw in Djokovic heading into the semi-finals of the ATP Finals which convinced him the Serbian would prevail.
“I can see in his eyes, in his approach when he comes to the small locker room, when he comes to the practice court. Warm-up was different. Warm-up was positive,” said Ivanisevic.
“When he entered the court against [Carlos] Alcaraz the first time this week, he was from the first point pumping himself, pumping fist. He was very positive in a way. Even Alcaraz didn’t play unbelievable tennis, he was missing a lot for his standards, even if Alcaraz plays with the left hand, you couldn’t beat him 6-3, 6-2.
“You could see in his eyes. It’s very tough to beat Novak twice in one week in the same tournament. Today was completely different match, completely different. Tactically Novak played completely different than on Tuesday. Jannik got kind of little pressure. Big final, a lot of expectation.
“If you doubt yourself a little bit against Novak, that is not good for you. Then you go (smiling). Like when you face the lion, if you have (doubt), going to eat you in two seconds. Thank you for coming and bye-bye (smiling).”