Novak Djokovic announces new head coach ahead of French Open: Who is Viktor Troicki?

Just days before the French Open, Novak Djokovic has announced the appointment of his long-time friend and compatriot Viktor Troicki as his new head coach. The announcement, confirmed via Djokovic’s Instagram account on Wednesday, ends a year-long period without a formal head trainer following his high-profile split from Andy Murray in May 2025.

Sharing a picture from training sessions at Roland Garros, the world No. 4 captioned the post: “Welcome my friend, teammate and now coach. Viktor Troicki.”

The appointment comes at a crucial juncture for the 24-time Grand Slam champion, who turns 39 on Friday. Chasing a historic 25th major title to gain sole possession of the all-time record ahead of Margaret Court, Djokovic’s 2026 season has been highly disrupted.

After reaching the Australian Open final in January, where he fell to Carlos Alcaraz, the Serbian legend has endured an injury-interrupted campaign. Managing a nagging shoulder issue, Djokovic has had severely limited clay-court preparation, making Troicki’s immediate task one of rapid rehabilitation and confidence building.

WHO IS TROICKI?

Troicki, 40, is a deeply familiar face in the Djokovic camp and a celebrated figure in Serbian tennis. A former world No. 12, Troicki’s playing career was defined by his tenacity and a fierce, competitive drive. He transitioned into coaching seamlessly after retiring, taking over the reins as the captain of Serbia’s Davis Cup team. While this marks Troicki’s official unveiling as the standalone head coach, the duo share a rich history of successful collaborations both on and off the court.

As players, they famously anchored the Serbian national team alongside each other for over a decade, culminating in a historic triumph to deliver the nation its first-ever Davis Cup title in 2010. More recently, Troicki proved his coaching credentials in Djokovic’s corner during the ultimate high-stakes environment. He was deeply integrated into the coaching staff during the summer of 2024, guiding Djokovic to his long-awaited Olympic gold medal right here at Roland Garros.

That emotional triumph on the Parisian clay forms the exact blueprint the duo will hope to replicate as they prepare for the grueling fortnight ahead. The decision to appoint a close compatriot reflects a distinct shift in strategy from Djokovic’s previous alliance with Murray. While the partnership with his former British rival brought immense tactical intrigue, the selection of Troicki leans heavily on seamless communication, absolute trust, and a shared tennis vocabulary forged over a lifetime of friendship.

With Roland Garros set to get underway on Sunday, the tennis world will be watching closely to see if the familiar comfort of Troicki’s presence can ignite another legendary run for the evergreen Serb.

– Ends