Due to the fact that Marian Vajda has spent the past fifteen years working closely with Novak Djokovic, he has witnessed first-hand the most exciting stages of the long-standing competition between the Big Three. It was during this time that the Serbian champion was able to change his pace and become one of the best tennis players in the world, along with setting records and engaging in exciting battles with Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal.
“What’s the difference between these three giants? This is a challenging question because of the significant differences between them “, as the Slovakian coach admitted to Olé Tenis in an exclusive interview with the publication. “Everyone has a surface that they prefer to play on: Rafa prefers clay, Djokovic prefers concrete courts, and Roger Federer plays on grass.
They approach competition with a strategy that is distinct from others in the industry. They consistently give strong performances, and the goal is always the same: to achieve victory. They never settle for what they have. After 15–20 years, they have not been surpassed in quality. I believe that the competition has been beneficial to them; it has always been the fuel that has kept them going.” Following that, Vajda went into specifics regarding his adversary.
“Although everyone has their own unique personality, Novak possesses a winning combination of the two. A lethal combination, he possesses both the complete game of Federer and the tenacity of Nadal. His objective is to accumulate additional Grand Slam victories. He demonstrated what he is capable of achieving when he is in peak physical condition by winning the Australian Open.
Following his victory in Melbourne, I communicated with him through writing. On a regular basis, we chat on Whatsapp. The most memorable and exciting moment was when I won Wimbledon for the first time. This tournament opened our eyes to the possibility of challenging Federer and Nadal for the title.” Finally, Vajda recalled Diego Armando Maradona, a former football player for Argentina’s national team whom he had the privilege of meeting.
“A very long time ago, I had the opportunity to visit Buenos Aires. I was a participant in the Davis Cup, which was held in this enormous stadium (in reference to the current Central Court of the Buenos Aires tournament, ed.). My memory serves me correctly that Maradona was present. In 2008, I had the pleasure of meeting him in Abu Dhabi, and during our conversation, he remarked, “Coach, you are training the future number one in the world!””
The opinions of Pepe Imaz regarding Djokovic
Imaz, a former Spanish player, recently gave an interview to Marca in which he expressed his astonishment at seeing Novak Djokovic show emotion during a match.
“I sent Novak a message and told him the love I felt for him, that the title is wonderful, but what it taught us all is even more wonderful when he showed his emotions of love,” Imaz said. “I told him that the title is wonderful, but what it taught us all is even more wonderful when he showed his emotions of love.” “They have witnessed a living, breathing person rather than a ruthless, well-oiled machine.
There was no feeling of euphoria, but there was a significant amount of love, awareness, and empathy. He passed out as he was climbing up the ladder. To share what they were living there, and he (Marko) thanked me, not for me, but for knowing this path, because that hug was of love, and that is incredible, that is living without the poison of euphoria, which is similar to a drug in that it is fleeting, and you need more and more of it. Nevertheless, joy and harmony encompass you completely “he added.
