Djokovic continues team renovation, reuniting with former fitness trainer Gebhard Gritsch

Novak Djokovic jumping up and down on a steep stairs in Belgrade city center, beneath Branko’s bridge. It’s not the first time that passersby have the opportunity to suddenly see Djokovic practicing there, but for a more tennis-trained eye, there was a significant change: beside him, there was a well-known face of Gebhard Gritsch (67), his longtime fitness coach.

The Austrian, who previously worked with Djokovic from 2009 to 2019 – with a year-long break in 2017-2018 – has had a big influence in Novak becoming one of the fittest athletes of the Tour. Gritsch will replace Marco Panichi, who was also very successful with Djokovic.

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“Grande Marco, what amazing years of collaboration we’ve had. We reached the summit, won titles, and broke records. But most of all, I have enjoyed our most ’ordinary’ days of training in and out of the gym,” Djokovic wrote on Instagram. “Endless hours of ’carciofini’ and laughs that made me feel super motivated to prepare for success. Grazie Romanista (as Goran calls you) for all the energy, effort and time you invested in making me the best possible player and person I can be. Much love ❤ ️ and I will see you soon in Roma. Forzaaaa”.

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As Novak often mentioned, Panichi was more than a fitness coach to him – the Italian helped a lot with the biomechanics of Djokovic’s shots, but on the mental side as well.

The same goes for Gritsch, though, and Djokovic jumping up and down on steps is one of the traits of the Austrian’s work – a lot of biking, swimming and creative exercises in nature. And a lot of stretching and exercises that contribute to flexibility.

Gritsch, who previously worked with Thomas Muster – known for his stamina and endurance – met Djokovic in 2009 after he ran into Gunther Bresnik in a flea market. His countryman told him that Novak is looking for a fitness coach, and that’s when the collaboration started.

For the last five years, Gritcsh has been working at the Austrian Olympic Training Centre in Linz, but it seems that he is (again) ready for a more intense role.

By re-hiring Gigi Gritsch, Djokovic – who recently won the Laureus World Sportsman of the Year award for a record-equalling fifth time – demonstrated his willingness to again dig deep after a subpar start to the 2024 season and perceived lack of motivation.

Djokovic has not yet named a successor to Goran Ivanisevic, although Nenad Zimonjic was in his box during Monte Carlo Masters. He was also present in the training block before the Monaco tournament.

“I don’t know for how much longer Novak plans to keep on playing, but the perfect person is with him at the moment – Ziki (Nenad Zimonjic),” said Ivanisevic, who parted ways with Djokovic last month. “[Zimonjic] is a great friend of mine, we went through a lot together and I love him. He has a vast tennis knowledge, but what is most important – he knows Novak really well.”

“At the moment, Novak doesn’t need someone completely new, who is yet to get to know him. Let’s say 10 days pass, Novak ‘goes crazy’ and this new coach is left wondering what is going on,” he said, with a laugh.

As far as the rest of the team goes, Djokovic’s agent is Mark Madden, helped by Carlos Gomez-Herrera (who was Djokovic’s sparring partner last year) and his physiotherapists remain the same – Miljan Amanović and Claudio Zimagila. 

Djokovic’s next tournament will be Rome Masters starting 6th of May. The Serb is a six-time champion at Foro Italico, most recently in 2022. 

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