Although his career as a professional tennis player ended only a few months ago, Andy Murray has already found his next challenge. The former world No. 1 who will also do a theatrical tour next year will be Novak Djokovic's coach during the upcoming Australian Open.
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The Scot and the Serbian know each other very well, they grew up together and created a very spectacular rivalry on the ATP tour. Although they have played against each other many times and have also fought for the top position in the ATP rankings, their relationship has never changed and they have always remained friends off the court.
It is no coincidence that Novak asked for his help in one of the most delicate moments of his entire career. The Serbian legend won the gold medal at the Paris Olympics this summer, but his season has been characterized by more shadows than lights.
The 24-time Grand Slam champion has not won a single title and has struggled to maintain the right intensity throughout the year, losing several matches against opponents who should not have put him in difficulty. Nole knows that 2025 could be his last chance to win another Major title and thinks that the support of a legend like Murray can help him in many ways.
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Although he has no experience in this role, the 2-time Wimbledon champion seems intent on giving his all to help his former rival. Andy has always been a very skilled player from a tactical point of view, who knew how to put his opponents in uncomfortable areas of the court and highlight their weaknesses. His knowledge of the game could help Djokovic at this stage of his career, where he needs some changes to return to the top of the men's tour.
The Serbian legend has to face opponents much younger than him and can no longer compete with them in terms of pace from the baseline.
Murrays potential impact on Noles game
On the latest edition of his well-known podcast, former ATP ace Andy Roddick discussed Murrays potential impact on Novaks game: Murray is not going to go in and tinker. Murray is not going to be like hey we are going to change the way you play. Thats not what this is about. This is literally another set of eyeballs on five match-ups.
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Novak is Tyson forever, Djokovic can walk in, blow you off the court, play defense, do all these things, but is he still the best attacker on clay? I dont know. Sinner probably took him, Sinner is younger and can probably create probably more pace at this point, but it doesnt mean hes a better player overall.
But what has Andy done in the last four years of his career on the court? Hes tried to solve problems. That struggle that Murray went through is a value to Novak at this age. Me saying that Novak at 38 is not as good as Novak at 32 shouldnt be controversial.
The former World No.1 continued: I think Murray might have the highest tennis IQ I have ever seen and been around. Hes competed with these kind of superheroes without the biggest shot on the court and without being faster than them.
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He is a master of nuance, he is the master of scouting reports, he knows everything backwards, hes a detail-oriented guy.
A very suggestive challenge
The 3-time Grand Slam champion has had a truly sensational career when you consider that he has had to play against legends like Federer, Nadal and Djokovic for over a decade.
During his glorious career, the Scot won three Grand Slam titles, many Masters 1000, two gold medals at the Olympics, the ATP Finals and the Davis Cup.
Injuries ruined the last years of his career by relegating him to a secondary role, but Murray never gave up and showed all his immense love for this sport. The latest back injury at the beginning of the summer convinced him to retire from professional tennis and start the second chapter of his life.
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It will be very interesting to see what the former world number 1 can bring to Nole's team. Andy knows the personality of the 24-time Grand Slam champion very well, but the feeling is that their collaboration can be successful.
The 37-year-old from Belgrade will play an official tournament before traveling to Melbourne, where he will try to win his 25th Major title. Djokovic has played his best tennis at the AO most of the time, where he has triumphed on ten occasions.
Murray - on the other hand - has played five finals at Melbourne Park, four of which he lost to Novak.
