Novak Djokovic got the ‘full package’ with Andy Murray coaching move
Andy Murray has been described as “the best possible” coach that Novak Djokovic could have appointed with former player Janko Tipsarevic convinced the Brit is the “full package”.
Following long-term coach Goran Ivanisevic’s departure at the beginning of the 2024 season, Djokovic played the remainder of the campaign without a full-time mentor.
The tennis legend finished the year without any Grand Slam titles, but he did win the coveted gold medal in the singles at the 2024 Paris Olympics with some suggesting he could quit the sport after completing the Career Golden Slam.
But the 24-time Grand Slam winner put paid to those rumours as he appointed fellow former world No 1 Murray as his coach for the off-season and Australian Open.
Although Djokovic failed to win the season-opening Grand Slam under his former rival’s tutelage, they have opted to extend the partnership for the upcoming Sunshine Double as both feel there were a lot of positives during the first two months of the season.
Former world No 8 Tipsarevic gave his views on Murray’s coaching credentials.
“When I talk about glorified towel boys and people who are on tour just to pick up balls, 100% Andy Murray does not fall into that category,” the Serbian said on The Tennis Podcast.
“This has nothing to do with him being the ex-world No 1, there are a lot of ex-top players who are s*** coaches.
“My description of Andy Murray as a coach has nothing to do with his prior successes as a tennis player, by his character, you can clearly see that he loves the sport.”
As one of the all-time greats of the game, Djokovic has the luxury of turning to just about any former player, including fellow greats, to work with them.
Some believe he would have been better off working with someone like Pete Sampras, although the 14-time Grand Slam himself has never indicated he is interested in coaching.
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Tipsarevic, though, feels Murray is the perfect ex-player to work with his compatriot.
“I feel from every possible person on tour, this was and I’m not saying this because we were friends, this was the best possible hire Novak could take,” he said. “I really feel if he is healthy he can have another great season.
“There is nobody better on tour for Novak as a full package, that he knows personally, that he respects, that he knows will give 100% into the job like he is giving in this moment of his career than Murray.
“I am 100% certain of that, he is a way better hire than [Pete] Sampras or some legend like that or a top player or a Grand Slam winner.
“Because in Andy you have everything in one in terms of somebody who knows the feeling of the pressure that Novak needs his coach to know, and he has been playing with the guys that Novak has still been competing against. So, yeah, I think it was a very good hire.”
