‘Andy Murray coaching Novak Djokovic is an attempt to cling to something that no longer exists’
World No 33 Alexander Bublik has criticised Andy Murray’s decision to coach Novak Djokovic as “an attempt to cling to something that no longer exists.”
Less than four months after Murray called time on his outstanding playing career at the Paris Olympics in August, it was announced that the British great would be returning to the tour as Djokovic’s coach in a stunning move.
Murray was not with Djokovic last week at the Brisbane International, the Serbian’s first tournament of the 2025 season, as he was on a pre-arranged family skiing trip. Djokovic fell to a surprise loss to Reilly Opelka in the quarter-finals of the ATP 250 tournament.
The former rivals, who worked together for the first time during the off-season, will team up in Melbourne this week to prepare for the 2025 Australian Open. The year’s first major will run from January 12 to 26 at Melbourne Park.
Murray will try to help his fellow 37-year-old win a record-extending 11th Australian Open title and 25th Grand Slam crown overall. Djokovic won his most recent major title at the 2023 US Open.
The Brit lost to Djokovic more times than any other player, having amassed an 11-25 record against the Serbian between 2006 and 2017. The duo faced off in 10 Grand Slam matches, including seven major finals — four of which were at the Australian Open.
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Bublik, who reached a career-high ranking of world No 17 last year, has described Murray’s choice to form a partnership with Djokovic shortly after his retirement as “a problem.”
“Now he has joined Novak Djokovic’s team,” the 27-year-old Kazakh told Match TV. “These are attempts to cling to something that no longer exists, to some echoes of the past. I think this is a problem.
“I hope that it will not be like that for me, but I can’t say for sure. Maybe at 36, I will go to the Challenger in Bangkok, but I still hope that I will leave with a calm soul.”
Following his opening round win in Brisbane last week, Djokovic expressed his excitement about his collaboration with Murray.
“We’re communicating daily. I’m excited to have him in my team, in my corner,” the world No 7 said.
“For 20+ years, he’s been across the net, for the first time ever he’s on the same side of the court. It should be fun in Melbourne.”
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