Former world No.1 Novak Djokovic has announced former top-1o Czech player Radek Stepanek will join his coaching team in 2018.

โ€œRadek is one of my very close friends on the tour and I was always impressed with his level of determination, passion and love for the sport,โ€ย Djokovic wrote via Instagram.

โ€œThe fact that he just recently retired at the age of 37 speaks volumes of his love for the game. He has lot of experience and knowledge, and he has played on a high level for many years.

โ€œI am excited to join our forces together and cannot wait to compete again having a new team to back me up.โ€

Stepanek will join American legend Andre Agassi on Djokovic's team.

"I am sure the two of them (Agassi and Stepanek) will work well together,โ€ Djokovic added.

โ€œThe new season is about to start and there is a long way to go back to where I left off. We are aware that I need to go step by step, not hurrying anything. I feel much better now, and I can't wait to play matches again.โ€

Djokovic has not played since Wimbledon due to an elbow injury.