MELBOURNE, Australia — After 25 years of rivalry, longtime competitors Novak Djokovic and Andy Murray have entered a new chapter in their relationship as Djokovic has appointed the recently retired Murray to assist him as a coach, at least for the duration of the upcoming Australian Open. This collaboration, which begins Sunday (Saturday EST), marks a significant shift, as they have faced each other 36 times as professionals, including in 10 Grand Slam contests.
Djokovic expressed that the initial transition felt unique, reflecting on the ability to share insights not just about tennis but life in general. “At the beginning, it was a bit of a strange feeling to be able to share the insights with him,” Djokovic observed. “We were always kind of hiding things from each other. Now all cards are open on the table.”
This unexpected partnership took the tennis world by surprise when Djokovic reached out to Murray to discuss the possibility of working together. Daniil Medvedev, the 2021 U.S. Open champion, likened the scenario to a renowned sports comparison, saying, “Imagine if Lionel Messi would become the coach of Cristiano Ronaldo. It would be strange,” highlighting the uniqueness of the situation.
Both are major figures in tennis history, with Djokovic leading in men’s Grand Slam titles at 24 and holding the record for the most weeks spent at the No. 1 ranking. In contrast, Murray has also achieved the No. 1 ranking and secured three major singles titles, including Olympic gold medals, but has frequently encountered Djokovic in finals, which has contributed to their rivalry—most notably in Melbourne. Murray humorously remarked, “Could never quite get over the line in Melbourne, unfortunately. This man was single-handedly responsible for that.”
Following Murray’s retirement from professional play last August after the Paris Olympics, the coaching offer came as a surprise to him. “I was obviously not expecting that when he called,” Murray stated. Djokovic and Murray both celebrated their 37th birthdays in May 2023, signifying a shared history not just in their careers but also in their age.
Throughout their rivalry, Djokovic has had the upper hand historically, leading their professional meetings 25-11 overall and 8-2 in Grand Slam matchups. Yet, two of those losses represent pivotal career moments for Murray, winning his first major at the U.S. Open in 2012 and clinching Wimbledon in 2013, thus ending a lengthy wait for the British title.
Murray reflected on the endeavor, mentioning he was eager to help Djokovic, whom he regards as not only a great tennis player but one of the finest athletes in history. “I expected him to be an extremely hard worker. Very diligent. Always looking to improve,” he noted. This collaboration comes after Djokovic’s split from his longtime coach, Goran Ivanisevic, in March, after they celebrated numerous victories together, including 12 major titles.
While it remains uncertain whether Djokovic and Murray’s partnership will extend beyond the Australian Open, the duo has spent some time together during the off-season, with their current work in Melbourne limited to less than a week. As Djokovic considered who to approach for coaching support this season, he recognized the importance of selecting someone with substantial Grand Slam experience.
“Andy just finished his playing career six months ago. It was somewhat of a surprise for him when I called him,” Djokovic commented. “But I think his tennis IQ is very high. We all know that.” This moment represents an intriguing development in the storied history of these two tennis giants.
