24-time Grand Slam champion Novak Djokovic has announced Andy Murray as his new head coach in a shocking development. The Serbian star has been without a head coach since parting ways with Goran Ivanisevic. Murray will now be involved in Djokovic’s preparation during the off-season for the Australian Open and throughout the fortnight in Melbourne.
The appointment has sparked mixed opinions. Considering that Murray retired from professional tennis in August, many feel it might be too early for the two-time Olympic Gold Medalist to step into coaching. However, this decision could prove to be a positive move for Djokovic.
1. Short Term Move
It is important to note that Murray’s appointment with Djokovic is not on a long-term basis. This can be compared to a student who has recently graduated from university and wants to take up an internship to gain experience and improve their skill set in the professional world.
Similarly, Murray retired from tennis after the Paris Olympics. There were rumors that he might coach some British players, such as Jack Draper. However, Murray wants to acquire short-term experience before transitioning to coaching players on a long-term basis. The three-time Grand Slam champion had told the media that he would remain involved in tennis activities after his retirement, but nobody expected him to switch gears this quickly.
2. Nothing to Lose
Several prominent former players have coached Djokovic, and he has experienced both success and setbacks. One of the most notable setbacks came with American tennis legend Andre Agassi. The eight-time Grand Slam champion was associated with Djokovic for barely a year before the Serb parted ways with him and appointed Goran Ivanisevic.
However, this time, the situation is different. Djokovic has already won everything there is to win and has nothing to prove. This will likely encourage Murray, knowing that he, too, has nothing to lose even if the appointment doesn’t yield the desired results.
3. The Volley Game
Djokovic is regarded as one of the most complete players in the history of the game. However, tennis fans acknowledge that if there is any weakness in the 24-time Grand Slam champion’s game, it is his relative lack of solidity on the upper court. At 37 years old, with younger players like Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner matching him from the baseline, Djokovic needs fresh ideas to stay ahead.
Djokovic’s coaches have significantly influenced his game in the past. A prime example is Goran Ivanisevic, one of the greatest servers of his time. Under Ivanisevic’s guidance, Djokovic became almost invincible on serve, which contributed to his immense success during the grass-court season.
Murray, known as one of the greatest volleyers in tennis, could help Djokovic integrate a stronger volleying game. If successful, this would expand Djokovic’s tactical options and allow him to dominate matches in new ways. Additionally, improving his net play could boost his confidence from the baseline and reduce the time players like Sinner and Alcaraz spend dictating from the back of the court. This strategy mirrors how Roger Federer extended his career under Stefan Edberg’s guidance in 2014 and 2015.
4. Finally, an Australian Open Title
There is an old saying: “If you can’t beat them, join them.” Murray has reached the Australian Open final five times but has been on the losing side on all those occasions. Four of those losses came against Djokovic.
On the other hand, Djokovic has been an unstoppable force at the Rod Laver Arena. Although he lost in the semifinals to Sinner at this year’s Australian Open, the Serbian has a strong connection with Melbourne. He has won 10 Australian Open titles and has never lost in a final. In fact, his defeat to Sinner this year marked his first loss at the tournament since 2018. Andy Murray may hope that, despite never winning the Australian Open as a player, he can finally achieve that milestone as a coach. And he couldn’t have a better candidate to rely on than Djokovic.
Main Photo Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports
