Belgrade (AFP)
Croatian Goran Ivanisevic, Wimbledon winner in 2001, announced on Sunday that Novak Djokovic of Serbia, N.1 World, had asked him to help him retain his title in the London tournament, which starts Monday on the grass courts of the All England Club.
"It's quite unusual, he called me a few days ago, I was a little surprised, Nole wanted me to come earlier, but I had a previous engagement in a senior tournament in Sweden," Ivanisevic told Serbian journalists, according to the online Sportklub website.
"I arrived this morning for the first training that went well, but unfortunately, I will be able to stay (with him) only during the first week because of my commitments, and I hope that our collaboration will continue." added Ivanisevic, 47, the only player "invited" by the organizers to have won the men's singles at Wimbledon.
Ivanisevic, who had previously coached compatriot Marin Cilic and Canadian Milos Raonic, said Djokovic's call was "a great recognition" for him as a coach.
Djokovic, 32, will start defending his title against German Philipp Kohlschreiber (57th worldwide) on Monday.
? 2019 AFP