Djokovic waiting to reorganise team after agent’s departure

While Novak Djokovic confirmed in Paris that he was no longer working with Edoardo Artaldi and Elena Cappellaro, he did not specify who his agent was from now on.

Novak Djokovic after winning the 2023 Rolex Paris Masters (Chryslene Caillaud/Panoramic)

Cédric Rouquette

November 5, 2023

There were two riddles surrounding Novak Djokovic this week at the Rolex Paris Masters: would the Serb hold out despite his stomach problems? The answer was yes. Would the world No 1 dispatch the rumours surrounding his change of management team, notably the departure of his agent since 2011, Edoardo Artaldi? The answer: in part.

On Wednesday, after dominating Tomas Martin Etcheverry in the first round, Djokovic confirmed Artaldi’s departure as well as that of Elena Cappellaro, his head of communications among other day-to-day responsibilities.

“We remain friends, but professionally we’re going our separate ways,” Djokovic told Tennis Majors contributor Carole Bouchard. “A new chapter begins for me in everything concerning my life off the court. The transition isn’t easy, but things are moving forward.”

Djokovic “hasn’t made up his mind yet”

Neither the Serbian nor the ATP were ready to announce the name of his new agent, for one obvious reason: “He hasn’t made up his mind yet, as the team surrounding him is still being put together,” a source very close to the Serb told us after his victory in Paris.

Djokovic was seen in Paris surrounded by his Italian physio Marco Panichi, his brother Djordje and his business advisor Mark Madden. The Briton, accredited as an “agent” by the ATP, works closely with the Serb on a day-to-day basis, but is not intended to replace Artaldi directly, we were told.

Madden was already at Djokovic’s side when the latter was seen on the sidelines of the Ryder Cup three weeks ago, and is also expected to accompany him to Turin. He has been with Djokovic’s team for over three years.

The reasons why Djokovic is no longer working with the agent who has accompanied all his greatest triumphs, during twelve years of continuous presence, were not specified.