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Novak Djokovic has not produced one of the greatest-ever tennis careers by letting the grass grow under his feet.
So it is perhaps not surprising that the world number two has responded to a run of poor form dating back to this year's Australian Open by parting ways with his coaching team.
On Friday, the 29-year-old announced that he would dump his coach Marian Vajda, fitness coach Gebhard Phil Gritsch, and physiotherapist Miljan Amanovic.
Novak's season of struggle
- Qatar Open — Won title
- Australian Open — Lost Rd 64 to Denis Istomin
- Mexican Open — Lost QF to Nick Kyrgios
- Indian Wells — Lost Rd 16 to Nick Kyrgios
- Monte Carlo Masters — Lost QF to David Goffin
2016 singles record: 65 wins, 9 losses
A winner of 12 Grand Slam tournament titles, the Serb has suffered a noticeable dip in form since winning his maiden French Open last June, relinquishing top spot in the ATP rankings to Briton Andy Murray five months later.
His season record for 2016 of 65-9 was far from shabby, but there have been growing concerns about his game this year.
Djokovic made a shock second-round exit at the Australian Open to big-serving Uzbek Denis Istomin.
Then questions began to be asked when he was beaten in successive tournaments by Australia's Nick Kyrgios in Acapulco and Indian Wells, as the pundits pondered whether he was being overtaken by the next generation.
Another loss followed in the quarter-final at the Monte Carlo Masters, where he was beaten by Belgian David Goffin.
Men's world rankings
- #1 Andy Murray (GB) - 11,870 pts
- #2 Novak Djokovic (SER) - 8,085
- #3 Stan Wawrinka (SWI) - 5,695
- #4 Roger Federer (SWI) - 5,125
- #5 Rafael Nadal (SPA) - 4,735
- #6 Milos Raonic (CAN) - 4,165
- #7 Kei Nishikori (JAP) - 4,010
- #8 Marin Cilic (CRO) - 3,565
- #9 Dominic Thiem (AUT) - 3,535
- #10 David Goffin (BEL) - 2,975
With a resurgent Roger Federer headed back towards the top of the rankings and Rafael Nadal showing he has still got class on clay, the challenges to Djokovic were mounting.
His response has now arrived.
"I am forever grateful to Marian, GG and Miljan for a decade of friendship, professionalism and commitment to my career goals," he said in a statement.
"It was not an easy decision, but we all felt that we need a change.
"I want to continue raising the level of my game and stamina and this is a continuous process... I am a hunter and my biggest goal is to find the winning spark on the court again."
Djokovic's overhaul by Murray at the top of the rankings ended a run of more than two years as number one for the Serb, who has spent a total of 223 weeks at the summit during his career.
Djokovic added that he would take his time before naming a new head coach.
"I feel like this is a new chapter in my life," he said.
"My career was always on the upward path and this time I'm experiencing how it is when the path takes you in a different direction.
"I have been on the tour long enough to know how to manage daily routines and I don't want to rush my decision... I will inform the public when I find the right person, but for now I thank you for your support and understanding.
Reuters/ABC