As Novak Djokovic seeks a historic 25th Grand Slam title at the 2026 French Open, there has been off-court drama surrounding his coaching team. Just days before the tournament began, the 39-year-old tennis legend appointed his former Davis Cup teammate, Viktor Troicki, as his new coach. However, it has sparked a rift with fellow Serbian pro Miomir Kecmanović, as Djokovic prepares to face 19-year-old Brazilian phenom João Fonseca today.
Novak Djokovic Hiring Coach Viktor Troicki Left Miomir Kecmanović Feeling Disappointed
For a year and a half, Troicki had been working closely with Kecmanović, an established top-50 player. Their collaboration seemed to be going well when Kecmanović secured a Challenger title in Valencia just over a week ago.
On Monday, May 18, Troicki informed Kecmanović that he was immediately terminating their partnership, and the very next day, he was spotted training with Djokovic.
Kecmanović did not hold back his feelings during a press conference following his first-round win at Roland-Garros. “To tell you the truth, that decision confused me, not to mention shocked me! On Sunday, I won the Challenger, on Monday I was told that he was ending his cooperation with me, and on Wednesday we were supposed to travel to Paris. He was already at Chatrier with Novak on Tuesday afternoon,” explained Kecmanović.
After Troicki’s actions, Kecmanović promoted Ognjen Jovanovic as his new head coach. The 26-year-old also claimed he is playing more freely. “”Everything is clear here, I don’t have to add much, I’m very disappointed, but my God, I have Ogi with whom I’m doing well, there’s good energy, he believes in me – he’s the head coach now. I don’t have any more ‘I have to’… If I win, lose, I’ll go on. I like that attitude,” he stated.
However, he doesn’t hold any grudge with Djokovic. In fact, he mentioned the 24-time Grand Slam winner contacted him to discuss the issue. “He (Novak) sent me a message on Wednesday and Thursday, I explained my position, everything is OK. There is no problem with him, bad blood, everything is fine,” Kecmanović added.
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“We communicated. I haven’t seen him in person. I would congratulate him on his win now, as well as the one at the tournament earlier (the Challenger in Valencia),” Djokovic said after Kecmanovic’s comments.
Djokovic pulled off a comeback from a set down in the first round to defeat France’s Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard (5-7, 7-5, 6-1, 6-4) in a nearly three-hour match under the night lights. In Round 2, he defeated Valentin Royer in a four-set match. Now, he is playing Fonseca in the third round. Meanwhile, Kecmanović was knocked out by Portugal’s Nuno Borges in the second round.
