Andy Murray to Coach Novak Djokovic for the 2025 Australian Open.
29/11/2024 16:47:38
Novak Djokovic and Andy Murray added another chapter to their storied tennis careers at the weekend with the news that 24 times Grand Slam champion Djokovic is adding long-time rival Murray to his coaching ticket ahead of the start of the 2025 season. Djokovic has turned to Murray to help him in the off-season and to get him prepared as he bids to become the most successful singles player in the history of the game by winning his 25th Grand Slam Single’s title at the 2025 Australian Open in January.
What has led to this Monumental Appointment
2024 saw Novak Djokovic end the season without a Grand Slam for the first time since 2017, as the two new stars of the men’s game Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz tightened their grip at the top of the sport by sharing the four Majors, winning two each. Djokovic has responded to this by asking one of his biggest ever rivals to help him try to return to the top of the men’s game in 2025, and move clear of the record 24 Grand Slams he currently shares with Margaret Court.
Both men have never been afraid to shock and surprise with their coaching choices throughout their respective playing careers. Djokovic has been coached by Boris Becker, Andre Agassi and Ivanisevic at different times, while Murray has been coached by Ivan Lendl and Amelie Mauresmo during his playing days, but this appointment may just stand out even amongst those coach/player relationships.
What Can Murray Bring to Djokovic
Andy Murray has only been retired since bowing out at the Olympics in August but has already taken on his first coaching role as he bids to help Djokovic reassert himself at the top table of men’s tennis in 2025. It is crazy to think it, but there are doubts about how competitive the Serbian superstar can be now that Sinner and Alcaraz have firmly established themselves as the leaders of the men’s game. Djokovic will hope that by having Murray in his corner however, it will add another string to his already considerable bow, as he bids to win more Major titles and break more history in the sport.
It’s worth remembering that Murray played Djokovic 36 times during their remarkable rivalry as players. They met in some classic matches such as the 2012 Australian Open Semi-Final, the 2012 Shanghai Masters Final, the 2012 US Open Final and the 2013 Wimbledon Final. Djokovic won 25 of their 36 clashes but will surely look to use Murray’s knowledge of his game to help him get back to winning ways at the start of the 2025 campaign.
"Both men have never been afraid to shock and surprise with their coaching choices throughout their respective playing careers."
Andy Murray: The Coach
One of the things that made Murray such a great tennis player was his famously high tennis IQ, which Djokovic will look to lean on as their new relationship grows. Three time Grand Slam winner Murray was known for his outstanding reading of the game as well as his reading and analysis of other players on the tour, characteristics that suggest he has the makings of a great coach. He has also, as has been mentioned, played Djokovic many times, so he can remind the Serb of the facets of his game that make him the greatest player of all time when times get tough, and remind him what his opposition will be feeling when they set foot on the court to face him.
Murray will be able to discuss with Djokovic the areas of his game that Murray himself tried to exploit during their rivalry, and help him attempt to shore those up as he tries to deal with Alcaraz and Sinner. Murray has also played Sinner and Alcaraz himself, so in terms of strategy, Murray may be just the man to help Djokovic extract that extra few percent that it may take to beat Sinner and Alcaraz in 2025.
Will it Work?
Whatever happens when these two start working together you know it is going to be Box- Office as Novak Djokovic employs one of his great rivals as his coach to help him get back to the top of men’s tennis. Murray spent so much of his playing days trying to come up with plans to beat Djokovic, Nadal and Federer, he now has the chance to learn up close and personal what made his greatest rival the player he is. Combined with Murray’s extensive tennis acumen and tactical nous, the duo may just make the perfect combination.
We will all be watching.
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✒️ Liam Lacey – Football and GAA Sports Expert
Liam Lacey is a sportswriter from County Laois in Ireland who specializes in delivering content on GAA, horse races, and football matters (though he does see himself as somewhat of a tennis aficionado also).
Liam has written about All Ireland Gaelic Football and Hurling Championships, Premier League, Champions League and international football, offering expert opinions and match previews and predictions. Occasionally, even getting some right!
