‘Andy Murray doesn’t know anything about coaching’, says coach of Novak Djokovic’s rival

Ewan West
Andy Murray, Novak Djokovic and Gilles Cervara
Gilles Cervara has discussed Andy Murray & Novak Djokovic's partnership

Daniil Medvedev’s coach Gilles Cervara has weighed in on the player-coach collaboration between Novak Djokovic and Andy Murray. 

The Frenchman declared Murray “doesn’t know anything about coaching”, but also assessed that “everything is possible” in the partnership.

In a video shared on social media last week, Djokovic announced the exciting news that Murray will join his team ahead of the 2025 Australian Open.

“I am excited to have one of my greatest rivals on the same side of the net, as my coach,” the 24-time Grand Slam champion said.

“Looking forward to start of the season and competing in Australia alongside Andy with whom I have shared many exceptional moments on the Australian soil.

“We played each other since we were boys, 25 years of pushing each other to our limits. We had some of the most epic battles in our sport. They called us game changers, risk takers, history makers.

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“I thought our story may be over. Turns out it has one final chapter. It’s time for one of my toughest opponents to step into my corner. Welcome aboard, coach Andy Murray.”

In an interview with L’Equipe, Cervara revealed he is not surprised Murray has made a swift return to the tour following his retirement.

“Knowing Murray, I’m not surprised by what’s happening because I knew he wouldn’t be able to stay still for more than two or three months after his retirement,” Cervara said.

“But he doesn’t have what you might call the training methodology, he doesn’t know anything about coaching and he’s going to learn as he goes along. That’s not why Novak wants to collaborate with him.

“This coaching part, either Novak knows himself so well that he doesn’t need anyone, or he’s going to ask the rest of his team for help because you always need someone who makes you go to areas where you wouldn’t go on your own and that training methods allow you to explore.

“Between the two, everything is possible. I imagine that this association will bring things to Djokovic. Afterwards, there is a physical and energetic reality, in the order of things, which means that it will be hard for him, and also for some against him!”

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