Rising French tennis player Arthur Fils has started a trial coaching partnership with Goran Ivanisevic, the former coach of Novak Djokovic, at the Qatar Open in Doha. The 21-year-old is rebuilding his career after a back injury sidelined him for seven months. Ivanisevic, a 2001 Wimbledon champion, joins Fils' existing coach Ivan Cinkus in the box.
Arthur Fils, currently competing at the Qatar Open in Doha, has brought on Goran Ivanisevic for an initial trial period as part of his coaching team. The partnership aims toward a potential longer-term arrangement, with both parties reporting positive early impressions. Ivanisevic, who coached Novak Djokovic to 12 of his 24 Grand Slam titles, appeared in Fils' coaching box for the first time during the tournament, alongside Ivan Cinkus, who has been Fils' coach since early 2025.
Fils, ranked as high as world No. 14 before his injury, suffered a back issue at the 2025 French Open that ended his promising season prematurely. The injury, which he linked to a childhood condition, kept him out for seven months, despite a brief return at the Canadian Open. Now 21, Fils is working to regain form and recently defeated compatriot Quentin Halys in straight sets in the Round of 16.
After the match, Fils praised Ivanisevic in an interview with Tennis TV, calling him “a hell of a champion” and expressing gladness that he is joining the team “during this long journey” to benefit from his experience as both player and coach.
Ivanisevic, 54, parted ways with Djokovic in May 2024. His recent coaching roles include a brief stint with Elena Rybakina starting in November 2024, which ended after two months when she reinstated her previous coach Stefano Vukov amid a WTA investigation. He then worked with Stefanos Tsitsipas from May 2025 for another two months, ending due to concerns over Tsitsipas' fitness, though both described the split amicably.
The decision on extending the trial with Fils will come after the Qatar Open concludes this week. Fils is set to face Czech player Jiří Lehečka in the quarterfinals on Thursday.
