2025 can be a vital 12 months for Novak Djokovic’s future. A legend of his caliber has the responsibility to attempt to win one other Grand Slam title, however it won’t be straightforward in any respect. The Serbian champion has not received a Main title because the 2023 US Open, he’s virtually 38 years previous and has to face opponents a lot youthful than him.
The previous world no 1 confirmed some cracks in 2024, by which solely the triumph on the Paris Olympics throughout the summer season saved a reasonably disappointing season. The 37-year-old from Belgrade has repeatedly misplaced to Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz – who’ve grow to be the brand new references on the boys’s tour – and has struggled to seek out the appropriate motivations in second-tier tournaments.
Novak Djokovic© YouTube screenshot
It’s no coincidence that the 24-time Grand Slam champion has determined to skip the final official tournaments of 2024 – the Rolex Paris Masters and the Nitto ATP Finals in Turin – to deal with subsequent season. Whereas the Davis Cup Finals have been being performed in Malaga, Nole left the entire world speechless by saying that he had employed Andy Murray as his new coach for the 2025 Australian Open.
The previous Scottish champion can be alongside Novak at Melbourne Park, the place the Serbian legend has triumphed ten instances in his wonderful profession and the place he hopes to shine once more. The 2025 AO will start on January 12, and Djokovic will take part within the Brisbane Worldwide as his first official match within the new season.
A powerful message
The present world quantity 7 has despatched a transparent message to all his rivals via his selection to rent Murray. Regardless of being virtually 38 years previous, tennis remains to be a precedence for him and he’ll do every part he can to write down a brand new web page within the historical past of this sport.
Novak Djokovic, Wimbledon 2024© Stream screenshot
In a protracted interview with ‘Tennis Channel’, American ace Chris Eubanks mentioned Djokovic’s present standing: “I love the hire. At this stage in his career, Novak doesn’t need anyone tinkering or making adjustments on the forehand or the backhand.
I think it’s so cool to have someone who has been in a similar position – although Andy did not amass the titles or Grand Slams that Novak has. But he has been in a similar situation.”
Eubanks continued: “He has been in the middle to end of his career, still finding ways to make adjustments and improvements to compete with the younger generation of really good players. And I think Murray sees the game unlike anyone else on tour.
I have had the chance to sit and listen to him talk about tennis and it’s truly a pleasure to hear how his mind works about the game. I am excited to see what he brings to the table.
Murray is a voice that Novak will obviously respect, he is a player who has competed against him and been good friends with him, they have a great long standing relationship. I am excited to see how it goes.”
Much less stress
There is no such thing as a doubt that this selection of Nole stunned everybody, as a result of Murray retired from skilled tennis just a few months in the past and has no expertise as a coach. The three-time Grand Slam champion mustn’t have too invasive an influence on Novak’s group, however will most likely restrict himself to giving him the appropriate recommendation within the decisive moments of the varied matches.
These two legends know one another very properly off the court docket, grew up collectively and have at all times maintained an excellent relationship regardless of their fierce rivalry on court docket. It’s unusual to suppose that Djokovic can be helped to win the Australian Open once more by a former champion who misplaced 4 finals in Melbourne in opposition to him.
Novak Djokovic, Australian Open 2024© Stream screenshot
For the primary time in his profession, the champion from Belgrade won’t be the highest favourite in Australia and can be capable of play with rather less stress. All his rivals are warned.
Throughout an interview with Sky Sports activities, the Serbian ace defined his resolution to rent Andy: ”So I took about six months to actually take into consideration if I wanted a coach and if sure, who that is going to be and the profile of the coach.
I spotted that the proper coach for me at this level could be somebody that has been via the experiences that I am going via. Probably a a number of grand slam winner and former primary.
I used to be occupied with completely different folks after which Andy Murray, ……. ‘okay, I’ll give him a name and see the way it goes’ and it caught him a little bit bit off guard as properly, as a result of he wasn’t anticipating it.”
