Djokovic explains the Troicki hire, says Kecmanović’s words aren’t his business
Novak Djokovic has addressed the recent hiring of Viktor Troicki to his coaching team, clarifying his decision. He also responded to Miomir Kecmanović’s public disappointment, stating that the details between Kecmanović and Troicki “doesn’t interest” him.
Victor Troicki and Novak Djokovic, Roland-Garros 2026 | © Christophe Saidi/SIPA
In his Serbian-language press conference on Sunday night, after his first-round win over Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard, Novak Djokovic had to comment on what had become a sensitive topic: his appointment of Viktor Troicki as a coach.
At issue: Miomir Kecmanović, the 26-year-old fellow Serbian ranked in the top 50, had told the outlet Sportklub he was “shocked and disappointed” that his former coach Viktor Troicki had left to join Djokovic.
Djokovic did not soften it. “I did get in touch [with Kecmanović]. We spoke, and I explained from my perspective what it is and what it was. How he accepted it, and what is between him and Viktor – it’s not my business.”
“my friend, teammate and now coach“
The Troicki appointment had been confirmed four days before the start of Roland-Garros. On 20 May, Djokovic announced via Instagram that his old Davis Cup teammate would join the coaching team: “Welcome my friend, teammate and now coach.”
Troicki had been coaching Kecmanović since 2025, and before that the Serbian junior Hamad Medjedović from 2022 to 2024. The 20 May move drew a public Kecmanović response that the Roland-Garros media day did not address directly, and that Djokovic himself, in his English press conferences, has not been asked about. Sunday’s Serbian press conference was the first time he addressed it.
Djokovic and Troicki, close friends
The choice itself, Djokovic explained on Sunday, was personal. He has known Troicki since they were eight or nine years old. They played each other, played doubles together, won the Davis Cup together in 2010, and won Olympic gold together in Paris 2024 — Troicki was Serbia’s captain. “He is one of the closer people I have in my life. I simply didn’t want to bring in unfamiliar people.”
Troicki does not replace anyone; Boris Bošnjaković and Dušan Vemić remain in the team.
Born 10 February 1986 in Belgrade, Troicki was a top-15 ATP singles player at his peak (career-high No. 12, in 2011). He won three ATP singles titles. He retired in 2021. His on-court partnership with Djokovic, who is one year younger, is one of the oldest collaborations in Serbian tennis history. Their head-to-head on the ATP Tour stands at 13-1 to Djokovic.
After retiring, Troicki took over as Serbia Davis Cup captain in 2021 before becoming a coach on the ATP Tour. The Troicki appointment fits a pattern in Djokovic’s post-2024 era: after his split with Goran Ivanišević in early 2024, he brought in Nenad Zimonjić for the Olympic run, then Andy Murray for the start of 2025, and has now turned, on the eve of his 22nd Roland-Garros, to the person he has known the longest in professional tennis.
