Novak Djokovic analyzed many topics in the Media Day of the Australian Open 2025: one of the most significant was the reason that led him to the choice to contact Andy Murray as the new head coach.
ADVERTISEMENT
Nole said he was thinking about the names he wanted next to him for this season. He said he wanted someone who has won multiple Slams, and the list is not that long. Someone who really understands what it means to win a Major, to deal with adversity, pressure, expectations. The Serb highlighted how Andy just finished his playing career six months ago.
Nole said it was a surprise for him when he called him. But he think Murray'stennis IQ is very high, as we all know that. The 24 times Slam champion said his new coach has done an incredible job, especially after the hip surgery, winning tournaments after, playing at Challenger level.
"He is a legend of the sport, just showing everyone what it means to be a champion in the true sense of the word. The first time we faced each other was when we were 12, so we have been facing each other for 25 years. He knows the evolution of my game, he knows my weaknesses and my strengths," said the Serbian champion, honestly.
ADVERTISEMENT
"It's still early days of the player-coach partnership. We've only been together for 10-12 days of preseason and here in Melbourne. We haven't had an official match where he's coaching me. When I played against Sascha, it was interesting to see him in the coaches' corner. Obviously it was an exhibition, so it's not the same. But it's a little bit of an introduction to what's coming on Monday, that feeling," he added.
On his first opponent, the very young American Basavareddy, Djokovic said: "To be honest, I don't know much about him. I saw him play yesterday for the first time. I saw that he's very fast. He's a very talented player, he's got great hands, he's very dynamic. He can serve well. He just has a very complete game overall. It's going to be his, I think, first time in a Slam main draw, playing on center court. He won't have much to lose. I'm sure he'll be really excited."
