Andy Murray teaming up with Novak Djokovic

Has Novak Djokovic got the motivation to be innovative and kick-start his career in 2025? We’ve just been given the answer.

As news broke that Djokovic had hired his former rival and long-time friend Andy Murray to be his coach heading into the Australian Open, the 24-time Grand Slam champion pulled a wildcard from his pack that few saw coming.

Murray mentioned he had an interest in moving into coaching when he retired from tennis in August, but the notion that he would be back in the game so quickly and working with a player of Djokovic’s gravitas was impossible to envisage.

Had Murray announced he would be working with young British star Jack Draper or even taking on a role working with Britain’s LTA in the development of future stars from his nation, that would have been a more predictable move.

Yet Murray joining Djokovic’s team for the Australian Open in January is a left-field move that will send shockwaves through tennis.

“I’m going to be joining Novak’s team in the off-season, helping him to prepare for the Australian Open,” said Murray.

“I’m really excited for it and looking forward to spending time on the same side of the net as Novak for a change, helping him to achieve his goals.”

Djokovic broke the news by offering up these comments: “I am excited to have one of my greatest rivals on the same side of the net, as my coach.

“Looking forward to the start of the season and competing in Australia alongside Andy with whom I have shared many exceptional moments on Australian soil.

“We played each other since we were boys, 25 years of pushing each other to our limits. We had some of the most epic battles in our sport. They called us game changers, risk takers, history makers.

“I thought our story may be over. Turns out it has one final chapter. It’s time for one of my toughest opponents to step into my corner. Welcome aboard coach, Andy Murray.”

This news almost didn’t seem real when it first broke, but it does banish the notion that Djokovic was coasting towards the finishing line in his career after a confusing 2024.

The Serbian admitted on numerous occasions this year that he didn’t have the motivation to challenge for titles outside of the Grand Slams, with plenty of observers suggesting the end may be nigh for the most successful male player of all time.

Murray’s appointment in the Djokovic camp is likely to be temporary as Djokovic will not play a full schedule next season, but that may work for both parties as he has named the first major addition to his team since the exit of Goran Ivanisevic in March.

According to former world No 1 Jim Courier, Djokovic needed to make a coaching move to fire his burners and Murrayy will change the dynamic in his camp instantly.

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“This next year is going to be super telling for Novak,” Courier told The Tennis Channel’s Inside In podcast.

“It will be really telling if he adds a coach to his team in the off-season and if he shows up in Australia with a new idea, something new to think about. If he doesn’t, he might have one foot out the door.

“If he does have some fresh blood on his squad, I would be bullish about him.

“It was telling when (Goran) Ivanisevic left his team and after that, he seemed disinterested in some of the tournaments and that’s understandable when you have done everything there is to do.

“There is nothing in his game or his movement that would indicate he is incapable win multiple majors going forward.

“It’s all about what’s between his ears and inside the heart. Does he have the passion and the fury that drives him? We’ll see.”

When Courier muttered those words, he would never have imagined the name of Murray would be added to the Djokovic team a few days later, but this is a role of the dice that could pay off for a player in need of fresh perspective.

Murray lacks a proven coaching track record, but he will have played against the players Djokovic will face in the Australian Open and could offer him a unique perspective that could reboot his mindset.

He would also remind him how it feels when a tennis career comes to an end and why he should fend off that day for as long as he can.

Even the greatest champions need people in their corner they admire and trust and when your star is as lofty as Djokovic, very few names would tick that box.

Ivanesivc’s track record as a Grand Slam champion gave him the status that commanded Djokovic’s respect and Murray is an upgrade on that given his iconic career.

The tennis world will have to get used to the sight of Murray celebrating winning shots for Djokovic, but it will make for compelling viewing.

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