The Serb is enjoying working with his former rival, but still has some getting used to.
Novak Djokovic, the record holder for Grand Slam victories, really appreciates working with his new coach and old rival Andy Murray. Before his first tournament of the season in Brisbane, Australia, the Serb, who has been training with the Scot in preparation for the tournament, said: “The ten days we spent together were great. I enjoyed every second. He is very conscientious, he is very dedicated, so professional.” But this does not surprise him because he has known him for so many years as a player.
Despite the long time they have spent together on the courts, Djokovic first had to get used to Murray’s new role. “In a way, it was strange for me to share all these insights into how I feel on the court, some of the secrets of what I go through, what I think about, how I see my game, with someone who has always been one of my biggest rivals,” Djokovic said, ”but I’m so happy and very grateful that he agreed to work with me here in Australia.”
At the end of November, Djokovic and Murray had announced their partnership. Djokovic had parted ways with his long-time success coach, former Wimbledon champion Goran Ivanisevic, in March 2024 and had been without a coach since then. Murray had ended his career as a player in the summer after the Paris Olympics, where Djokovic won gold.
Murray and Djokovic fought some intense duels, especially during the Briton’s best career phase in the early 2010s. Murray lost four Australian Open finals to the Serb. Overall, Djokovic won 25 of 36 matches against the 2012 and 2016 Olympic champion.
In Melbourne (starting January 12), Djokovic wants to reach for his 25th Grand Slam triumph. Before that, Murray will come to Australia for a week of training with the “Djoker”. After the first major of the year, both want to decide on further cooperation.
