Novak Djokovic has arrived in Spain ahead of his first appearance at the Madrid Open since 2022 and he has confirmed his intentions to challenge for the title by bringing Andy Murray with him in his coaching box.

Djokovic’s partnership with his old rival Murray has been one of the most compelling tennis storylines of the year, with the three-time Grand Slam champion a surprise pick to work with the 24-time major winner at the Australian Open in January.

It was unclear whether their partnership would continue after that experience in Melbourne, where Djokovic reached the semi-finals before he was forced to pull out with an injury in his semi-final against Alexander Zverev, but they worked together again at the Indian Wells and Miami Masters tournaments last month.

Djokovic then admitted he ‘didn’t know where Murray was’ as he played his first clay court tournament in Monte Carlo, with some question marks over whether the Serbian would play in the Spanish capital after he slipped to a defeat against Alejandro Tabilo in his opening match.

Djokovic described that loss and his performance as ‘horrible’, with some observers suggesting he may skip the Madrid Masters as he looks to build towards his primary target in the clay court season, which is the French Open at Roland Garros at the end of May.

“I was hoping it was not going to happen, but it was quite a high probability I’m going to play this way,” said Djokovic after his loss in Monte Carlo.

“I don’t know. Just horrible. Horrible feeling to play this way, and just sorry for all the people that have to witness this.

“I expected myself at least to have put a decent performance. Not like this. It was horrible. I did not have high expectations, really.

“I knew I’m gonna have a tough opponent and I knew I’m gonna probably play pretty bad. But this bad, I didn’t expect.”

Djokovic’s downbeat press conference has not encouraged him to skip the Madrid Open, with his eagerness to play more tournaments in 2025 emphasised by his decision to bring Murray with him to Madrid.

Djokovic and Murray practised at the Madrid venue on Saturday night, with the three-time Madrid Open champion looking in focused mood as he prepares for a draw where he will be the No 4 seed.

The case to win a 100th career title is clearly driving on Djokovic, with his near miss as he made it through to the Miami Open final last month before losing against Jakub Mensic.

“Ever since I won my 99th, which was the Olympic Games in Paris, I’ve been playing with the prospect of winning the special hundred titles,” said Djokovic in Miami.

“I played finals of Shanghai. I was close there. Semi-finals of Australia. Then been trying to find that necessary and much-needed level of tennis that will put me in a position to fight for a trophy, a big trophy.

“Clearly it is something I want to do, but I know it won’t be easy.”