Novak Djokovic Appoints Viktor Troicki as New Coach Ahead of Roland-Garros 2026

Djokovic Welcomes Troicki as Coach

Novak Djokovic, the reigning Olympic tennis champion, has officially announced Viktor Troicki as his new coach via an Instagram post on May 20. This announcement comes just days before the commencement of Roland-Garros 2026, scheduled from May 24 to June 7. In his post, Djokovic expressed his excitement, stating, 'Welcome, my friend, teammate, and now coach... Viktor Troicki.'

Aiming for the 25th Grand Slam Title

As he heads to Paris, Djokovic, a 24-time Grand Slam titleholder, is on a quest for his historic 25th major championship. The legendary athlete, who will celebrate his 39th birthday on May 22, has faced challenges this season, particularly with limited clay court practice. Nevertheless, the world No. 4 remains a formidable contender, having reached the finals of the Australian Open 2026 before losing to Carlos Alcaraz.

Injury Concerns and Recent Challenges

Recently, Djokovic withdrew from the Mutua Madrid Open due to an injury. The former world No. 1 last played at the BNP Paribas Open in March, where he also missed the Miami Open later that month due to a right shoulder issue. In February, he faced Alcaraz in the Australian Open final and was eliminated by Jack Draper in the fourth round at the BNP Paribas Open before his Miami withdrawal.

Draper's Upset Victory

Draper achieved a significant upset at the Indian Wells Open by defeating Djokovic in a thrilling Round 16 match, while several top seeds advanced in the prestigious ATP Masters 1000 tournament.