Tennis-Djokovic names compatriot Troicki as coach ahead of French Open

Novak Djokovic has ​confirmed long-time friend and ​compatriot Viktor ‌Troicki as ​his head coach ahead of next week's French Open where ‌the Serb will bid for a record 25th Grand Slam title. Djokovic has had limited clay-court preparation ahead ⁠of the year's second Grand Slam while managing his ⁠workload to ⁠cope with a niggling shoulder issue. The French Open starts on Sunday.

Novak Djokovic has ​confirmed long-time friend and ​compatriot Viktor ‌Troicki as ​his head coach ahead of next week's French Open where ‌the Serb will bid for a record 25th Grand Slam title. "Welcome my friend, teammate and now coach... ‌Viktor Troicki," former world number one Djokovic wrote ‌on Instagram.

The pair have previously combined. Troicki, Serbia's Davis Cup captain, joined Djokovic's coaching setup for his Paris Olympics ⁠gold ​medal triumph ⁠in 2024. They previously teamed up as players to deliver ⁠Serbia its first Davis Cup title in 2010.

Troicki's immediate ​task will be to help Djokovic, who turns ⁠39 on Friday, muster confidence after an injury-disrupted season following ⁠his ​defeat in the Australian Open final in January. Djokovic has had limited clay-court preparation ahead ⁠of the year's second Grand Slam while managing his ⁠workload to ⁠cope with a niggling shoulder issue.

The French Open starts on Sunday.