In a recent interview with Sasa Ozmo for Sport Klub, Novak Djokovic talked about his future after giving up the 2024 Nitto ATP Finals in Turin. The 24-time Slam champion said that tennis is still his goal, underlining how he is ready to push in the off-season.
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"I just needed to recharge and rest a bit after a tiring year. I've told you a million times: I would also like to play the Davis Cup, let's see what happens," he explained.
The Serbian champion then went into more detail about how he will start his 2025, explaining that he will play in the first week of the season, but he doesn't know where yet, and then obviously head to the Australian Open.
A big change for Nole compared to 2024, in which he made his debut directly in the first Slam tournament of the year. Among the most concrete hypotheses, the ATP 250 of Adelaide, in which he played and won in 2023 before reconfirming himself as champion at the Australian Open.
But this was not the only surprise reserved by Nole to the media and fans.
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"I am happy that Nole declared that he is starting 100% the preparations for the new season. We saw each other briefly and I also heard that something was being born with a new coach, a big name. I don't know anything about it. These are the rumors I heard, but I have not had any certain news from him," said a few weeks ago in a prophetic way Viktor Troicki, who still did not know who the new coach of the Serbian champion was.
In fact, Andy Murray - who retired this year - will be Djokovic's new coach. The two have known each other since they took their first steps in the world of tennis and will now be able to live this incredible experience together. The Serbian champion joked on social media, writing: "And he didn't like being retired anyway."
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"I hope Novak Djokovic wins the gold medal. It means a lot to him, every time he plays for his country you can see that he cares a lot. It would be fantastic if he could win the Olympic gold," said Murray during the Paris Olympics, a tournament in which he gave tennis a farewell.
What will the collaboration between Nole and Andy bring?
Certainly a strong appeal and a big novelty in the ATP Tour. A player (friend and rival of a thousand battles) who has just retired will be coaching the greatest tennis player in history. It will be a truly captivating combination. Nole probably needed someone who would bring a breath of fresh air to his team, someone who has known him well since they were kids and played their first matches.
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And in my opinion, Nole has made a smart choice, even a wise one. It is true that their rivalry on the court has been dominated by the Serb, and the question is: what more can the Scot bring, considering that Nole has beaten him multiple times? Well, the answer - in my humble opinion - is equally direct. Murray knows Djokovic's tennis, strengths and weaknesses.
He knows what it means to play at 37, the differences both in training and in life, with a family to manage and multiple commitments. Andy has written the recent history of British tennis, he knows how to move, he knows what the life of a 37-year-old tennis player is like, he knows well how Nole can be at this moment.
The Scot will have to be able to put himself in the Serb's shoes and therefore, guide him (not so much improve him, but refine him) in some aspects that distinguished the career of the 3-time Slam champion. I ultimately believe that Djokovic-Murray is a combination that can work well, especially in managing the little things that a tennis player like the Serbian champion needs at this moment.
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The partnership with Nole, meanwhile, will not be Murray's only commitment. Andy Murray has been a former player for a few months. The former ATP No. 1 announced on November 12 what his next project will be. The Scotofficially announced on his social media profiles that he will soon be taking to the stage as part of a show touring in several cities. A rather unexpected development even if, it must be said, Murray has always felt at ease in front of the cameras and the crowd.
"I'll be taking to another stage this summer. Come and see me on my first theatre tour, with Andrew Cotter, in Glasgow, Edinburgh, Hammersmith and Wimbledon. Tickets go on sale this Thursday!"
The four dates of the Centre Stage show will be from June 18 to 29.
