Jurgen Melzer thinks Andy Murray might be precisely what Novak Djokovic wants as the previous world No. 8 is tipping the Serb to be in competition in all 4 Grand Slam tournaments.
This 12 months, the Serbian tennis star solely triumphed on the Paris Olympics and completed the 12 months ranked at No. 7 on the planet. After not profitable a single Grand Slam in a season for the primary time since 2017 or having a lot success on the ATP Tour, the 37-year-old acknowledged that it wasn’t certainly one of his finest years when it comes to outcomes.
However late within the 12 months, Djokovic made one thing crystal clear – he dismissed retirement rumors and confirmed that he can be again in 2025 aiming to do extra nice issues. Then, he stunningly employed his former rival Murray to be his coach.
With the Briton on board, 2010 French Open semifinalist Melzer expects the Serb to discover a new supply of motivation and finally problem higher Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz in 2025.
“Novak has to coach in a different way, extra intelligently than when he was 30. He can now not carry the identical workload, he has to rigorously select the areas wherein he desires to enhance. A physique at his age regenerates at a distinct velocity, that’s why he introduced Murray to the staff, as a result of he has been by the whole lot in recent times. Andy could be a motivational enhance, he may give him new pleasure from coaching. For Nole, it’s all in regards to the Grand Slams, if he loses at a Masters 1000 it received’t be so dramatic. I believe in 2025 we’ll see him preventing for all of the Grand Slam titles,” former five-time ATP champion Melzer told tennisnet.
Novak Djokovic© YouTube screenshot
Melzer explains how Murray could help Djokovic
During his career, the newly retired Briton was known as a masterclass tactician. While his game wasn’t the prettiest and there were times when he was accused of playing too passively, he managed to land three Grand Slams – twice win the Olympics – and reach the world No. 1 position.
Now that he is a coach, Melzer expects the Briton to be able to provide some outstanding tips and insight to Djokovic. And because the Serb respects the former two-time Wimbledon champion and will absolutely listens to what he has to say, the former Austrian tennis star is backing it to be “a really profitable partnership.”
“I think it’s an incredible combination, which is extremely good for tennis. Apart from the huge headlines he has generated, I think Andy can help Novak a lot – there are very few who have his IQ on the court. Even a legend like Djokovic can learn a lot from him, he still has a lot to hear, so now he can discuss a lot of topics with Muray, who can look him straight in the eye. That could lead to a very successful partnership,” Melzer stated.
Djokovic employed Murray as a result of he felt he was the kind of coach he wanted
After splitting along with his coach of six years Goran Ivanisevic in April, the Serb took a while earlier than deciding whether or not or not he wished to usher in somebody on a full-time foundation. Ultimately, the 37-year-old determined to get a brand new coach however he additionally found out that he wanted one thing totally different this time – and that was hiring somebody who was in his place and would be capable to completely perceive him.
“I used to be going by a technique of occupied with subsequent season up to now couple of months and determining what I wanted as I ended with my coach Goran Ivanisevic, who I used to be profitable with. I took about six months to suppose if I actually wanted a coach and if sure, who’s that going to be and the profile of the coach,” Djokovic told Sky Sports.
“We were going through different names and I realized at this point the perfect coach would be someone who has been through the experiences I have been through. A multiple Grand Slam winner and I was thinking about a few and the Andy Murray discussion appeared on the table with my team. I decided I would give him a call and see how it goes. It caught him off guard a little bit as he wasn’t expecting it.”
Novak Djokovic© YouTube screenshot
For now, their partnership is simply confirmed by the Australian Open. Ought to Djokovic make a significant run on the Australian Open and probably win his twenty fifth Grand Slam title with Murray as a coach, that might very doubtless imply that the Briton can be a daily within the Serb’s field within the greatest tournaments all through 2025.
