Djokovic warns top players with stunning signing

Terrassa (Barcelona), December 14: Novak Djokovic will return to Grand Slam tennis at the Australian Open with a stunning signing that could be a warning to top players - the Serbian hired a specialist who helped his ward stun world No.1 Rafael Nadal.

Djokovic has roped in strategic analyst Craig O'Shannessy, who confirmed last week that he would work with the 30-year-old at the first Grand Slam of the year.

O'Shannessy goes by the handle "BrainGameTennis" (@BrainGameTennis) on Twitter and is a widely respected expert on the game, having worked for all four Grand Slam tournaments as well as the ATP, analysing matches in forensic detail.

But perhaps the Australian's most famous achievement came in 2015 when he guided Dustin Brown to victory over Nadal at Wimbledon.

The dynamic German shocked No 10 seed Nadal in four sets with O'Shannessy in his box - and the analyst will perhaps have to undo the Spaniard once again this January.

Along with new coach Radek Stepanek, O'Shannessy will be hoping to mastermind a seventh Australian Open title for Djokovic, whose pre-season camp in Monte Carlo he also attended, said a report in Express.

I've been here all week assisting with the team of Novak Djokovic [in] pre-season training," O'Shannessy said.

Novak Djokovic sembra proprio aver ascoltato le parole di Craig O'Shannessy​: agli #AusOpen 2018 l'esperto di analisi strategica sarà nel team del serbo!
Ecco che cosa ci ha raccontato quando è venuto a Roma per il Simposio Internazionale del #tennis👇 @BrainGameTennis pic.twitter.com/cJc56MjdXr

— SuperTennis TV (@SuperTennisTv) December 13, 2017

"Andre Agassi was here with Radek Stepanek the head coach organising everything this week. It's been simple amazing.

"I learned so much just being around these guys and it's taken my coaching to a whole new level. Certainly one of the highlights of my coaching career."

He later confirmed he would remain with the Serb in Melbourne on Twitter.

I see you @AustralianOpen 🐨🎾🔥

A big hello from Monte Carlo 🚢⚓️🚁🎲🎰

Greatly looking forward to being the Aus Open Strategy Analyst once again in 2018 🗡🛡📊📈 pic.twitter.com/sgW41CdMiq

— Craig O'Shannessy (@BrainGameTennis) December 5, 2017

"20 Grand Slam titles," he wrote on Twitter alongside a picture of Djokovic and Agassi.

"Time to hunt again. #Djokovic #Agassi. Greatly looking forward to 2018 #AusOpen"

Djokovic pulled out of Wimbledon earlier this year with an elbow injury but is now back in training ahead of a return to competitive tennis on December 29 at the Mubadala World Tennis Exhibition Championship in Abu Dhabi.

He will begin his season with the title defence of ATP World Tour 250 Series Qatar Open which begins on January 1.