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Novak Djokovic has confirmed that he has split with long-time agent and chief-of-staff Edoardo Artaldi and revealed he is “entering a new chapter about the off-court approach.”
The Serbian great declared he remains friends with Artaldi but that the pair decided to go different ways professionally, while admitting the transition “is not easy.”
Known in the Djokovic team as ‘Dodi’, Artaldi had been Djokovic’s manager since after he won his maiden Grand Slam title at the Australian Open in 2008. The Italian and his partner Elena Cappellaro oversaw the huge operation that runs around the 24-time Major champion.
In an interview with SBS Italian in 2019, Artaldi picked his greatest moment from his time working the the world No 1.
“The most unforgettable one is the reception we got when we flew back to Serbia after he won Wimbledon in 2011 and reached the number one spot,” he recalled.
“If I can choose one from his tennis profession and one from his private life, I would say, his determination on one side and on the other his generosity is his best quality.”
READ MORE: Meet Novak Djokovic’s chief-of-staff who has helped to mastermind his success
Speaking at the 2023 Paris Masters this week, Djokovic announced that the Italian had left his team and explained he is in the process of making changes to the way he operates.
“We stay friends but professionally we decided to go different ways. I’m entering a new chapter about the off-court approach. The transition is not easy but I’m moving forward,” explained Djokovic in an interview.
The Serbian made his return to competition in Paris this week, where he downed Tomas Martin Etcheverry 6-3, 6-2 in his first singles match since 15 September.
His win over Alejandro Davidovich Fokina at the Davis Cup group stage was his only previous singles match since he overcame Daniil Medvedev in the 2023 US Open final on 10 September.
The 36-year-old made his return to action in doubles on Tuesday in Paris, where he and Serbian compatriot Miomir Kecmanovic prevailed 6-4, 6-2 over Gonzalo Escobar and Aleksandr Nedovyesov in the opening round.
Djokovic then survived a scare and some stomach issues to battle past world No 23 Tallon Griekspoor 4-6, 7-6(2), 6-4 in the third round of the ATP Masters 1000 tournament on Thursday.
The six-time Paris Bercy champion will face world No 7 Holger Rune in a fascinating quarter-final match-up on Friday. Rune, who downed Djokovic in a three-set final in Paris last year, recently started working with Djokovic’s former coach Boris Becker.
READ MORE: WATCH: Novak Djokovic sarcastically applauds crowd, urges them to ‘boo more’ before going into beast mode
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