Djokovic extends partnership with Vajda, makes changes to racquet

Novak Djokovic has confirmed that he has made some changes to his racquet and says while he is still getting used to the adjustments, they could help his game.

The Serb said the switch had been during this season.

"I mean, the model is the same," he told press at Monte Carlo. "I made some small minor changes that actually in our world are quite significant.

"Also [Andre] Agassi and Radek [Stepanek] who worked with me at the time felt it was a good call for big picture and for a long run."

Djokovic has also said that he and his coach Marian Vajda, with whom he recently reunited, have agreed to work together during the rest of the clay-court season.

There have been suggestions that the racquet is lighter, to reduce the pressure on his recently injured elbow.

Match point from Djokovic's win over Coric in Monte Carlo:

Djokovic acknowledged that he is still adjusting, pointing to Roger Federer's move to a larger frame in 2013 and 2014, which Federer has said had a positive effect on his serving and backhand.

"I feel more comfortable with the racquet as I go along. Obviously it takes a little bit of time," he said. "I think Roger some years ago also had that racquet change, and it took him a little bit, some months, to get comfortable with it.

"But if you think about the big picture, if you think about certain parts of your game you maybe want to improve, maybe the technology, the racquet can help you with that—why not. It was a big call."

Djokovic noted that there was a long adjustment period for him in 2009 when he switched racquets, though that involved a wholly new frame and a new company.

"It took me I think a year, a year and something to really find the right dimension, swing weight, balance, all the specifications that were suitable to my style of the game," he said.

Still working his way back from recent elbow surgery, he has noticed some advantages with his new racquet, saying, "Actually, it feels like I gained more power, especially on the serve. I gained more angle."

Djokovic won his first two rounds at Monte Carlo before falling to Dominic Thiem in three sets in the third round.

"There were lots of good things," he said. "I played two hours and 30 minutes against one of the best clay-court players.''

Djokovic has since been confirmed to be playing in the clay-court tournament in Barcelona next week, where the 31-year-old should enter the event as the world No. 12.

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