Novak Djokovic spoke for the first time about the end of his collaboration with Goran Ivanisevic, on Thursday in Belgrade. The Serb did not reveal the name of his new coach, as everyone who have hoped. He said he will continue without a coach in the short term and try to evaluate his exact needs.

“First of all, Goran is my friend for life, mine and of my family’s”, Djokovic said at a press conference dedicated to Legend, a documentary about the mentor of his juniors years, Nikki Pilic. “He is a very dear person for me, the end of our professional collaboration doesn’t mean that our friendship stops.”

“Our separation has been positive, as positive as a separation can be. We have come to a point where we’ve exhausted our cooperation after almost five years.”

I still don’t have a clear idea who a new coach would be

Novak Djokovic

“Together, we’ve written history of our sport, we have won Slams, ended seasons as number one in the world, but we went through trials and tribulations as well – disqualification at the US Open, deportation from Australia… I will always remember that he was there for me as a person, as a human being, first and foremost, and that he brought the right set of values into our relationship. That kind of chemistry was followed by great results. I wish Goran all the best.”

About his future, “I still don’t have a clear idea who a new coach would be, or whether there will be one at all”, Djokovic said. “I’ve had coaches since I was a kid, now I am trying to feel by myself what I need, what I feel most comfortable with. You will be informed in case someone joins the team.”

Djokovic’s current and remaining staff is composed by Miljan Amanovic and Claudio Zimaglia as physiotherapists, Marco Panichi as a fitness coach, Carlos Gomez Herrera as agent and sparing partner, and his agent and business manager Mark Maden. Former player Nenad Zimonjic practiced with him for a few days, without announcement. His brother Marko Djokovic will likely travel with him for the next tournaments.