After 36 matches between them at the pro level and a friendly familiarity spanning more than 20 years dating back to their days as aspiring teenagers, 24-time Major champion Novak Djokovic revealed a surprise update before 2025: hiring former rival and recently retired Andy Murray as his new coach – starting at the Australian Open, a Grand Slam he’s won a record 10 times.
Shock coaching news adds layer of intrigue to 2025
NOVAK Djokovic announced yesterday that his retired long-time rival Andy Murray will join his coaching team, beginning at the Australian Open in January.
During a statement, the Serb said: “I’m thrilled to have one of my biggest rivals on the same side of the net with me, this time as my coach. I look forward to starting the season with Andy, having him by my side in Melbourne, where we’ve shared many exceptional moments throughout our careers.”
Murray, who reached 11 Major finals in his own illustrious 19-year pro career, lost to Djokovic on four separate occasions (2011, 2013, 2015-16) in the Melbourne showpiece – while Swiss legend Roger Federer pipped him in straight-sets in 2010.
Having pulled down the curtain as a player after some memorable moments in doubles play at the Paris Olympics in August, the two-time Olympic champion echoed his anticipation for a surprising storyline sure to attract worldwide attention.
“I’m very excited about this, look forward to being on the same side of the net for a change. I’m also grateful for the opportuntiy to help him achieve his goals for the upcoming year,” the Brit said after Djokovic’s announcement video on Twitter/X below:
Jannik Sinner, who will finish 2024 as the undisputed world no. 1 after Djokovic’s injury-enforced French Open withdrawal kickstarted the Italian’s reign as tennis’ best male singles player, beat Djokovic in the Australian Open semis en route to his first Major. He dropped just two sets on US soil before clinching his second in New York, amid the ongoing drama surrounding a ban for two positive drug tests.
Djokovic’s third-round defeat by Alexei Popyrin meant the 37-year-old failed to win a Grand Slam for the first time in seven years and with a reduced schedule, has dropped to world no. 7 – though deemed his long-awaited Olympic triumph on Parisian clay as the greatest achievement in a career with juice left in the tank.
How much, we’ll wait and see. He notably ended a successful partnership with Goran Ivanisevic in March, having won half of his 24 Slam tally alongside the Croatian, playing the rest of a shortened season accompanied by familiar compatriots and support staff headed by Spanish former pro Carlos Gomez-Herrera.
Picture source: Getty Images, quotes via AFP
Mo and Sports 