Tomas Berdych today announced on Twitter that he has added former world number two Goran Ivanisevic to his coaching team.
The world number eight, who is skipping the Olympics due to fears over the Zika virus, has been without a permanent coach since the clay season whilst Ivanisevic has recently split from his previous charge, fellow Croat Marin Cilic.
Berdych gains the experience and success of Ivanisevic
Berdych, who is also a former Wimbledon finalist like Ivanisevic, has been without a permanent coach since splitting from Dani Vallverdu after a humiliating double bagel loss to David Goffin at the Internazionali BNL d’Italia.
The Czech star has since been working with Luka Kutanjac, a contemporary of Ivanisevic who likely played a significant role in bringing the two together.
Ivanisevic had become available after splitting from Cilic, whom he guided to the US Open title in 2014 as well as another US Open semifinal and three quarterfinals at the SW19.
Berdych will be hoping that the Croatian can have a similar impact on him, especially after an encouraging run to the semifinals at Wimbledon just last month after a pretty average season to that point.
Berdych’s thoughts on the new relationship
Berdych announced the news on Twitter, expressing his excitement about the news by saying he was “delighted” to announce the news on “a new addition to my team.”
He then credited Kutanjac on changes that have seen his form “going in the right direction” and said that he has added Ivanisevic to his team “to further improve.”
Berdych describes the four-time Wimbledon finalist as the “perfect addition” to his team due to “his playing and coaching experience as well as his energy.”
The Czech star ended his statement with the message that he was “Feeling excited about new challenges.”
The first tournament that Ivanisevic will join Berdych will be at the Western and Southern Open next week.