Though his profession as an expert tennis participant ended just a few months in the past, Andy Murray has already discovered his subsequent problem. The previous world No. 1 – who may also do a theatrical tour subsequent yr – will likely be Novak Djokovic’s coach through the upcoming Australian Open.
The Scot and the Serbian know one another very properly, they grew up collectively and created a really spectacular rivalry on the ATP tour. Though they’ve performed in opposition to one another many instances and have additionally fought for the highest place within the ATP rankings, their relationship has by no means modified they usually have at all times remained buddies off the courtroom.
It’s no coincidence that Novak requested for his assist in one of the crucial delicate moments of his complete profession. The Serbian legend received the gold medal on the Paris Olympics this summer season, however his season has been characterised by extra shadows than lights.
Djokovic and Murray© Andy Murray/Instagram – Honest Use
The 24-time Grand Slam champion has not received a single title and has struggled to keep up the best depth all year long, shedding a number of matches in opposition to opponents who shouldn’t have put him in problem. Nole is aware of that 2025 may very well be his final probability to win one other Main title and thinks that the help of a legend like Murray might help him in some ways.
Though he has no expertise on this function, the 2-time Wimbledon champion appears intent on giving his all to assist his former rival. Andy has at all times been a really expert participant from a tactical perspective, who knew learn how to put his opponents in uncomfortable areas of the courtroom and ‘highlight’ their weaknesses. His data of the sport may assist Djokovic at this stage of his profession, the place he wants some adjustments to return to the highest of the boys’s tour.
The Serbian legend has to face opponents a lot youthful than him and might not compete with them when it comes to tempo from the baseline.
Murray’s potential influence on Nole’s recreation
On the newest version of his well-known podcast, former ATP ace Andy Roddick mentioned Murray’s potential influence on Novak’s recreation: “Murray is not going to go in and tinker. Murray is not going to be like ‘hey we are going to change the way you play’. That’s not what this is about. This is literally another set of eyeballs on five match-ups.
Novak is Tyson forever, Djokovic can walk in, blow you off the court, play defense, do all these things, but is he still the best attacker on clay? I don’t know. Sinner probably took him, Sinner is younger and can probably create probably more pace at this point, but it doesn’t mean he’s a better player overall.
But what has Andy done in the last four years of his career on the court? He’s tried to solve problems. That struggle that Murray went through is a value to Novak at this age. Me saying that Novak at 38 is not as good as Novak at 32 shouldn’t be controversial.”
The previous World No.1 continued: “I think Murray might have the highest tennis IQ I have ever seen and been around. He’s competed with these kind of superheroes without the biggest shot on the court and without being faster than them.
He is a master of nuance, he is the master of scouting reports, he knows everything backwards, he’s a detail-oriented guy.”
A really suggestive problem
The three-time Grand Slam champion has had a really sensational profession when you think about that he has needed to play in opposition to legends like Federer, Nadal and Djokovic for over a decade.
Throughout his wonderful profession, the Scot received three Grand Slam titles, many Masters 1000, two gold medals on the Olympics, the ATP Finals and the Davis Cup.
Accidents ruined the final years of his profession by relegating him to a secondary function, however Murray by no means gave up and confirmed all his immense love for this sport. The newest again harm firstly of the summer season satisfied him to retire from skilled tennis and begin the second chapter of his life.
Andy Murray and Novak Djokovic© YouTube screenshot
It is going to be very attention-grabbing to see what the previous world #1 can deliver to Nole’s workforce. Andy is aware of the character of the 24-time Grand Slam champion very properly, however the feeling is that their collaboration might be profitable.
The 37-year-old from Belgrade will play an official event earlier than touring to Melbourne, the place he’ll attempt to win his twenty fifth Main title. Djokovic has performed his finest tennis on the AO more often than not, the place he has triumphed on ten events.
Murray – alternatively – has performed 5 finals at Melbourne Park, 4 of which he misplaced to Novak.
