Djokovic appoints Viktor Troicki as coach on eve of Roland‑Garros

Novak Djokovic said on May 20 that Viktor Troicki had joined his coaching team, making a late change four days before the start of Roland-Garros in Paris. Olympics.com and the ATP reported the appointment after Djokovic announced it on Instagram. The French Open main draw begins on May 24 and runs through June 7, according to the tournament’s official schedule. Djokovic, 38, arrives in Paris chasing a record-extending 25th Grand Slam singles title. ### How did Djokovic announce the change? Djokovic announced the move in an Instagram post on Wednesday, writing: “Welcome my friend, teammate and now coach… Viktor Troicki.” Olympics.com said the post confirmed Troicki’s appointment on the eve of the tournament, and the ATP said Djokovic revealed the news on social media on Wednesday evening. (olympics.com) The ATP identified Troicki as a longtime friend and fellow Serbian who has known Djokovic since their junior days. The two also played doubles together over the years and were part of Serbia’s ATP Cup title run in 2020, according to the ATP. ### Why is Troicki a notable choice? Troicki, 39, is a former Serbian player with a long history alongside Djokovic on and off the tour. (olympics.com) The ATP’s head-to-head records show Djokovic led their tour-level series 13-1, with Troicki’s lone win coming in Umag in 2007. Serbia is a central link in the appointment. (atptour.com) Troicki and Djokovic were teammates in Davis Cup and other national-team settings, and the ATP framed the move as the addition of a trusted figure just before a major tournament. That timing, according to the ATP report, came ahead of Djokovic’s latest attempt to add to his Grand Slam total. ### What does the timing say about Djokovic’s Paris buildup? May 20 was four days before the start of the Roland-Garros main draw, and the change came during the tournament’s buildup in Paris. Roland-Garros’ official schedule says the 2026 event runs from May 24 to June 7, with qualifying and opening-week activity already underway. (atptour.com) Olympics.com said Djokovic made the switch just days before the clay-court major got underway. The ATP said he broke the news ahead of the start of Roland-Garros rather than earlier in the European clay season. ### What is Djokovic chasing at this tournament? Djokovic is pursuing a 25th Grand Slam singles title in Paris, a mark Olympics.com and the ATP both highlighted in their reports on the coaching move. (rolandgarros.com) Olympics.com also identified him as the Paris 2024 Olympic tennis champion. (olympics.com) The ATP said Djokovic owns 101 tour-level titles and is seeking his first Grand Slam crown since the 2023 U.S. Open. It also said he reached the final of this year’s Australian Open and entered the French Open as the No. 4 player in the PIF ATP Rankings. ### When will Troicki first be in Djokovic’s corner at a major? (olympics.com) Roland-Garros begins on May 24 at Stade Roland-Garros in Paris, and that is set to be Troicki’s first Grand Slam assignment in Djokovic’s coaching team. The tournament’s official site lists play through June 7, when the event concludes in Paris. (rolandgarros.com) (atptour.com)