by Novak Djokovic has appointed a new member of his team of coaches while he is preparing to compete for his 25th Grand Chelem trophy at Australian Open in January. The name of the new member? Andy Murray.
Yes, that Andy Murray. The British tennis player who won two Grand Chelem trophies and withdrew from sport last summer at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games. Helping to train his former rival has been his first move since his end of his professional career.
“I’m going to join the Novak team during the offseason, the caregiver to prepare for the Australian Open,” Murray said in a statement. “I am really excited for that and I can’t wait to spend time on the same side of the net as Novak for a change, helping her achieve his goals.”
Djokovic and Murray, who are both 37 years old (they were born in the week of each other in 1987), were rivals on the ground at the peak of Murray at the start and in the mid-2010. Djokovic has the advantage in his 36 career confrontations, winning 25 in Murray from 11. If you just look at the Tête-à-Tête finals, Djokovic 11 times while Murray beat Djokovic eight times. But in large slams, Djokovic absolutely possessed Murray with a file of 8-2.
There are more secrets hidden in this record of 25-11. Murray lost against Djokovic four times in six years in the Australian Open final (2011, 2015, 2015, 2016), which could raise eyebrows during this decision. But beating a player does not mean you have nothing to learn from them. Murray never won the Australian Open, but he did the last five times, which meant that he was doing something good.
Djokovic mentioned his Australian open story with Murray in his declaration.
“I am delighted to have one of my greatest rivals on the same side of the net, as my trainer.” Djokovic said. “Looking forward to starting the season and participating in Australia alongside Andy, with whom I shared many exceptional moments on Australian soil.”
That the Australian open story, as well as their shared personal history as a long -standing competitors, are two things that Djokovic mentioned in a media threshing video that Djokovic told and published on social networks on Saturday, and were probably important factors in Djokovic’s decision to bring Murray on board.
The Australian Open begins on January 12, 2025.
