Andy Murray to Coach Novak Djokovic at Australian Open 2025

2024-11-24

Andy Murray has been announced as the new coach of long-time rival Novak Djokovic for the upcoming Australian Open in January 2025. This surprising partnership follows Murray’s retirement from professional tennis at the Paris Olympics in August, ending a distinguished 19-year career.

Murray, the British three-time Grand Slam champion, expressed excitement about stepping into this coaching role, stating, “I’m really looking forward to spending time on the same side of the net as Novak for a change, helping him achieve his goals.” Djokovic, a 24-time Grand Slam champion, welcomed Murray, saying, “It’s time for one of my toughest opponents to step into my corner.”

The two, both born in May 1987, have a long-standing rivalry that has spanned 26 years. They have faced each other 36 times, with Djokovic holding a 25-11 advantage. Their history includes numerous epic matches, particularly in Grand Slam finals, with Djokovic triumphing in four Australian Open finals against Murray, who claimed his first major titles by defeating Djokovic at the US Open in 2012 and Wimbledon in 2013.

This coaching relationship comes as Djokovic aims for an 11th Australian Open title after a challenging season in 2024, where he failed to secure a Grand Slam win for the first time since 2017 but achieved Olympic gold in Paris. Murray’s tactical acumen and deep understanding of the game make him a fitting choice to guide Djokovic as they aim for success in Melbourne.

The announcement has captured the attention of the tennis world, marking a significant moment as two of the sport’s greatest rivals join forces in pursuit of victory.