Coach Vajda Was In Djokovic’s Box In Indian Wells Sunday

Written by: Bob Larson Tennis on 18th March 2014

Coach Vajda Was In Djokovic’s Box In Indian Wells Sunday

epa04129233 Novak Djokovic of Seriba poses with the trophy after defeating Roger Federer of Switzerland in their final match at the BNP Paribas Open tennis in Indian Wells, California, USA, 16 March 2014. Djokovic defeated Federer to win the tournament. EPA/JOHN G. MABANGLO |

Nobody knows Novak Djokovic like Marian Vajda, the long-time coach who stepped aside for something of a sabbatical this year to spend more time with his family and handed the reins over to Boris Becker. And this year he thinks patience will be required before the world no.2 maximizes the knowledge of big match situations he can acquire from the German legend.

Vajda was back in the coaching box for the BNP Paribas Open at Indian Wells, where Djokovic won his first title of 2014 after disappointments at both the Australian Open and Dubai Duty Free Championships, where Becker filled the role of main coach.

Djokovic rewarded Vajda with two hugs as he celebrated his three sets victory over Roger Federer. And Vajda, who had a distinct say in the hiring of Becker, maintained that teething problems could continue for a while as Djokovic gets used to the change.

“Maybe this one year we see his level being a little up and down, but maybe in the long run it will have a good effect on his tennis,” Vajda told the BBC.

“Obviously it’s a big change. He was used to seeing me there, he was used to my process, to my practices, to my remarks on every match, and everything was running smoothly.

“Obviously my presence was for him important, but we will see how it goes. He has to get used to another coach besides me and it’s not easy, it takes time. It’s not a miracle, it’s a process.”

The plan, as it stands at the moment, is for Vajda to spend about 12 weeks of the year with Djokovic, taking in tournaments in Madrid (May), Toronto (July) and Beijing (October). He will be with the Serb as he prepares for the European clay court season after the Sony Open in Miami where Becker, who missed Indian Wells because of a court case in Spain, will be back on duty.

Vajda insisted he did not miss being in Melbourne for the Australian Open after experiencing four title victories with Djokovic. And he is enjoying spending more time at home in Bratislava.

“I watched all Novak’s matches and I felt pretty much more relaxed than on the court,” he said of both Melbourne and Dubai. “Sometimes I was under so much good stress I forgot about seeing the game. Now when I am watching on TV I see the things which I don’t see before, so it’s also something positive.”

Topics: 10sballs, BNP Paribas Open, Boris Becker, Indian Wells, Marian Vajda, Novak Djokovic, Roger Federer, Sports, Tennis, Tennis News

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March 18, 2014 at 8:58 am

Coach Vajda Was In Djokovic’s Box In Indian Wells Sunday – http://t.co/ARozuWx8Zo @DjokerNole #IndianWells #BNPParibas #Tennis #News