There is great excitement a few days before the start of the Australian Open 2025, because they can't wait to see Novak Djokovic and his new coach Andy Murray play the Happy Slam.
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The A Night with Novak event was once again a great success in the Opening Week of the Australian Open. The crowd responded present and packed the stands of the Rod Laver Arena with enthusiasm. The Serbian champion, in addition to entertaining the fans, took the opportunity to play a one-set exhibition match against the current ATP number 2 Alexander Zverev. An exhibition match that Nole won by winning the final tie-break 8-6.
His new coach Murray also took part in the evening starring the 37-year-old. The two faced each other in mixed doubles: Djokovic teamed up with Qinwen Zheng, the Scot with Victoria Azarenka.
After the match, Murray joked with Djokovic, recalling the matches they played against each other in Melbourne. The three-time Grand Slam champion has reached five Australian Open finals and on four occasions has surrendered to the Serb.
"I know this court well. I have never managed to win the title here and this man - indicating Djokovic - is the only one responsible. Now I am here to try to sabotage him so that he does not win another Australian Open!" said Murray before telling the story behind the new collaboration.
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"I was enjoying my retirement and not watching much tennis on TV. I was playing golf when we started texting. I was on the 17th hole and the guy I was playing with asked me if I had any plans. I said, nothing, nothing. Half an hour later I was in the car and I called Djokovic and he asked me if I was interested in helping him out, which was something I never expected.
I said, 'Look, I have to talk to my family about this first.' And so after talking to them after a couple of days it started to seem like a fantastic opportunity. Novak is not only one of the best tennis players in history, he's one of the best athletes of all time. He's a hard worker, always looking for ways to improve. That's what I expected and I can't wait for the competition to start," he added.
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