Novak Djokovic has named a new member of his coaching staff as he prepares to challenge for his 25th Grand Slam trophy at the Australian Open in January. New member name? Andy Murray.
Yes, that Andy Murray. The British tennis player who won two Grand Slam trophies and retired from the sport last summer at the 2024 Paris Olympics. Helping to educate his former competitor is his first step since ending his professional career.
“I will be joining Novak’s team in the off-season and helping him prepare for the Australian Open,” Murray said in a statement. “I’m really excited about it and I’m looking forward to spending time on the same side.” network like Novak for a change that helps him achieve his goals.”
Djokovic and Murray, who are 37 years old (born within a week of each other in 1987), were on-court rivals during Murray’s heyday in the early and mid-2010s. Djokovic has the edge in his 36 career matches, winning 25 to Murray’s 11. If you look at finals alone, Djokovic has beaten Murray 11 times, while Murray has beaten Djokovic eight times. But at Grand Slams, Djokovic absolutely owned Murray with an 8-2 record.
There are more secrets hidden in that 25-11 record. Murray has lost to Djokovic four times in six years in the Australian Open final (2011, 2015, 2015, 2016), which may be why some are raising eyebrows at the move. However, beating a player does not mean that you have nothing to learn from them. Murray never won the Australian Open, but he reached the final five times, which meant he was doing something right.
In his statement, Djokovic mentioned his Australian Open history with Murray.
“I’m excited to have one of my biggest rivals on the same side of the net as my coach.” Djokovic said. “I’m looking forward to the start of the season and competing in Australia alongside Andy, with whom I’ve shared many special moments.” on Australian soil.”
That Aussie Open history, as well as their shared personal history as longtime rivals, are two things Djokovic mentioned in a hype video that Djokovic narrated and posted on social media on Saturday, and were likely big factors in Djokovic’s decision to bring Murray on board.
The Australian Open will start on January 12, 2025.