Regardless of being virtually 38 years previous and successful many titles, Novak Djokovic nonetheless loves tennis very a lot and needs to attain nice ends in 2025. The previous world #1 has been working towards laborious in current weeks for the beginning of subsequent season, wherein he’ll attempt to show to the world that he’s nonetheless aggressive on the highest stage.
If he had not received the gold medal on the Paris Olympics through the summer time, his 2024 would have been thought of a failure. The 37-year-old from Belgrade didn’t win a single title through the yr and – for the primary time since 2017 – closed a complete season with out successful a single Main.
Novak Djokovic, Australian Open 2024© Stream screenshot
Nole has proven some indicators of decline in comparison with the previous and his motivation has dropped, particularly in second-tier tournaments. Exactly for these causes, the Serbian mirrored on his present standing and determined to rent his former rival Andy Murray as a coach.
The three-time Grand Slam champion will assist him on the 2025 Australian Open and can have the ability to give him very helpful recommendation for the remainder of the season as properly. The previous Scottish champion retired from skilled tennis a couple of months in the past and is aware of all of Novak’s opponents properly, together with Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz.
Djokovic’s 2025 will begin very quickly, because the world quantity 7 might be one of many protagonists of the Brisbane Worldwide. The 24-time Grand Slam champion can even play doubles alongside Nick Kyrgios.
Mouratoglou on Djokovic’s alternative
Nole’s determination to rent Murray – who has no expertise as a coach – actually stunned everybody. The sensation is that the Serbian legend wants new motivation at this level in his profession and the help of a pal like Andy may very well be of nice assist to him.
Novak Djokovic, Wimbledon 2024© Stream screenshot
In a current interview, high coach Patrick Mouratoglou mirrored on Djokovic’s unusual alternative: “Andy and Novak have shared the court countless times, battling fiercely in some of tennis’s greatest rivalries.
Their games share similarities—supreme court coverage, tactical brilliance, and consistency under pressure. Few people understand Novak as deeply as Andy does. But the real question is: can Andy reignite Novak’s motivation?
Motivation is the one thing Novak needs most right now. After dominating the era of the Big Three, outlasting both Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal, Novak has little left to prove.”
He continued: “Andy, known for his calm attitude and incredible intelligence, might just be the person to help Novak tap into that fire again. While Andy isn’t the type to bring raw energy to the team, he brings something equally valuable — strategy, intelligence.
This partnership is more than just about coaching; it can be understood as a statement. Two legends saying to the younger generation, “We’re not done yet. Show us you’re ready to take over.”
Lots of curiosity
It’s unclear how far Murray will journey through the yr to comply with the 24-time Grand Slam champion. The previous world No. 1 has a good looking household and also will be on a theatrical tour in the summertime of 2025, which is why he’ll solely have the ability to assist Novak in a restricted variety of tournaments.
These two legends will attempt to discover new options to permit the Serbian to defeat opponents a lot youthful than him in essentially the most prestigious tournaments. Djokovic would be the quantity 7 seed on the Australian Open and will should face Italian Sinner or Spaniard Carlitos Alcaraz already within the quarterfinals. Nobody can underestimate Nole in a match just like the AO, wherein he triumphed ten instances and wrote pages of tennis historical past.
Novak Djokovic, Wimbledon 2024© Stream screenshot
Throughout an interview with ‘Tennisnet’, former ATP ace Jurgen Melzer opened up on Djokovic’s possibilities in 2025: “Novak has to train differently, more intelligently than when he was 30. He can no longer carry the same workload, he has to carefully choose the areas in which he wants to improve. A body at his age regenerates at a different speed, that’s why he brought Murray to the team, because he has been through everything in recent years.”
Melzer additionally mentioned the wonderful collaboration between Nole and Andy: “I believe it’s an unbelievable mixture, which is extraordinarily good for tennis. Aside from the large headlines he has generated, I believe Andy might help Novak lots – there are only a few who’ve his IQ on the court docket.
Even a legend like Djokovic can be taught lots from him, he nonetheless has lots to listen to, so now he can talk about quite a lot of matters with Murray, who can look him straight within the eye. That might result in a really profitable partnership,” he stated.
