Novak Djokovic and Andy Murray’s connection spans 25 years, starting from their junior tennis days. Their rivalry includes 36 professional matches and 10 Grand Slam encounters. However, until recently, they hadn’t engaged in open conversations about tennis or personal matters.
This changed when Djokovic invited the recently retired Murray to coach him, at least for the Australian Open.
“I must say, at the beginning, it was a bit of a strange feeling to be able to share the insights with him, not just about the game but about how I feel, about life in general. Not in a negative way, but just in a way I have never done that with him, because he was always one of my greatest rivals,” Djokovic said Friday.
Djokovic explained that their previous rivalry prevented such open communication.
“We were always kind of hiding things from each other. Now all cards are open on the table.”
This unexpected partnership surprised the tennis world in November when Djokovic contacted Murray about the coaching possibility.
Two rivals are now united. Daniil Medvedevthe 2021 U.S. Open champion, compared the situation to a hypothetical soccer scenario.
“Imagine,” Medvedev said, “(if Lionel) Messi would become the coach of Cristiano Ronaldo. It would be strange.”
The sight of Murray coaching Djokovic during practice sessions is indeed unusual.
Both players are considered tennis legends.
Djokovic holds a men’s record of 24 Grand Slam titlesincluding 10 Australian Open championships. He also holds the record for most weeks at No. 1 in the ATP rankings.
Murray has reached the top ranking, won three major singles titles, and been a Grand Slam runner-up eight times. Five of those final losses were against Djokovic, four of which occurred at the Australian Open. Murray is the only tennis player with two Olympic singles gold medals.
“Could never quite get over the line (in Melbourne), unfortunately. This man was single-handedly responsible for that. So I’m now here to try and sabotage his chances of winning another one,” Murray joked.
Murray described his surprise upon receiving Djokovic’s coaching request.
“Novak asked me to help him; I was shocked,” said Murray, whose last match as a player came at the Paris Olympics in August. “I was obviously not expecting that when he called.”
Both players are 37 years old, born a week apart in May 1987. Djokovic leads their head-to-head record 25-11 overall and 8-2 in Grand Slams.
However, Murray’s two victories against Djokovic were significant: the 2012 U.S. Open final (his first major title) and the 2013 Wimbledon final, ending a 77-year drought for a British man winning the singles title at Wimbledon.
“We thought we’d give it a go and see if I can help,” Murray said.
Murray acknowledged Djokovic’s status as not just a top tennis player but a top athlete overall.
“Novak is not just one of the best tennis players of all-time. He’s one of the best athletes of all-time. I expected him to be an extremely hard worker. Very diligent. Always looking to improve.”
Djokovic parted ways with coach Goran Ivanisevic in March 2024 after winning 12 Grand Slam titles together. He hasn’t appointed a permanent replacement since then.
The duration of Djokovic and Murray’s coaching partnership is uncertain.
They spent just over a week together during the offseason and less than a week in Melbourne before the Australian Open.
“I was thinking about the names that I would like to have next to me for this season. I wanted to have somebody that won multiple Slams. The list is not that long. Somebody that really understands what it means to win a Slam, what it means to face the adversity, the pressure, the expectations,” Djokovic said.
Djokovic elaborated on the reasons behind his decision to approach Murray.
“Andy just finished his playing career six months ago. It was somewhat of a surprise for him when I called him,” Djokovic added. “But I think his tennis IQ is very high. We all know that.”
