Murray makes a comeback — as old rival Djokovic's new coach
2024-11-25
Serbia's Novak Djokovic (left) shakes hands with Britain's Andy Murray after winning the 2016 French Open final. Djokovic announced on Saturday that his recently retired, long-time rival Murray has joined his coaching team, starting at the Australian Open in January. AFP
BELGRADE — Novak Djokovic announced on Saturday that his retired long-time rival Andy Murray is joining the 24-time Grand Slam-winning player's coaching team, starting at the Australian Open in January.
"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 and having him by my side in Melbourne, where we've shared many exceptional moments throughout our careers," Djokovic said in a statement.
Djokovic's 2024 season is over, and it was not up to his usual, high standards.
He didn't win a single Grand Slam. His only title, though, was meaningful to him — a gold medal for Serbia in singles at the Summer Games.
Djokovic has been without a full-time coach since splitting in March from Goran Ivanisevic.
"I'm going to be joining Novak's team in the offseason, helping him to prepare for the Australian Open," Murray said in a statement released by his management team.
Murray, a three-time Grand Slam champion who retired from competitive tennis at the Olympics in August, said: "I am very excited about this and look forward to being on the same side of the net for a change.
"I'm also grateful for the opportunity to help him achieve his goals for the upcoming year."
Djokovic posted a video on X of him and Murray during the Scotsman's playing career, jokingly titled: "He never liked retirement anyway."
The 37-year-old Serb has won the Australian Open a record 10 times, defeating Murray in four Melbourne finals — in 2011, 2013, 2015 and 2016.
Djokovic failed to win a Grand Slam in 2024 and has slipped to seventh in the world, although he did land the Olympic singles title in Paris, a victory he described as his "greatest achievement".
Jannik Sinner, who will finish the year as the runaway world No 1, beat him in the Australian Open semifinals, and Djokovic lost to Carlos Alcaraz in straight sets in the Wimbledon final.
He is level with Margaret Court for the most major singles titles by any player and would dearly love to overtake the Australian tennis legend in Melbourne.
Djokovic and Murray faced each other 36 times in their careers, with the Serb winning 25 times.
Nineteen of those clashes came in finals, including seven at the Slams.
Their head-to-head series on tour includes an 11-8 lead for Djokovic in finals, and 8-2 at Grand Slam tournaments.
Two of the most important victories of Murray's career came with Djokovic on the other side of the net. One was in the 2012 US Open final, when Murray claimed his first Grand Slam title.
The other was in the 2013 Wimbledon final, when Murray became the first British man in 77 years to win the singles championship at the All England Club.
"We played each other since we were boys — 25 years of being rivals, of pushing each other beyond our limits. We had some of the most epic battles in our sport," added Djokovic on Saturday.
"They called us game changers, risk-takers, history makers. I thought our story may be over. Turns out, it has one final chapter. It's time for one of my toughest opponents to step into my corner."
Djokovic ended his coaching partnership with Ivanisevic in March despite winning 12 Slams together.
Former Wimbledon winner Ivanisevic had admitted Djokovic is "not an easy guy", such is his intensity and drive to make history in the sport.
"Especially when something's not going his way. Sometimes, it's very complicated," said Ivanisevic after Djokovic had claimed the 2023 French Open.
The Serb's 24 Grand Slam titles put him two ahead of Rafael Nadal and four clear of Roger Federer, with both his "Big Three" rivals now retired.
He also has a stack of other records in men's tennis including a record 40 Masters-level titles, seven season-ending ATP Finals crowns and most weeks at No 1 — a staggering 428.
He led Serbia to Davis Cup glory in 2010.
And, on the red clay of Paris, in August 2024 he completed a career Golden Grand Slam by beating Alcaraz in the Olympic final, shaking with emotion as he fell to his knees.
It was his 99th title, putting him four behind Federer's total of 103 and 10 behind Jimmy Connors' record of 109.
Djokovic is not afraid to go toe-to-toe with hostile fans, using their jibes to fuel his relentless quest for glory and showing the depth of his competitiveness.
During the 2024 Wimbledon tournament, where he lost in the final to Alcaraz, an exasperated John McEnroe expressed his frustration at the way that Djokovic is sometimes treated.
"He's like the Darth Vader compared to two of the classiest acts we've seen play tennis — Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer," he said.
The American three-time Wimbledon champion added: "He's by far the guy who's taken the worst heat, and that's why I would say he's the greatest that's ever played."
Off the court, he cuts an impressive figure — urbane and thoughtful, and able to speak fluently in a number of languages.
Djokovic has always been content to plough his own furrow, and has shown an astonishing ability to shut out the noise and battle against the odds.
