Novak Djokovic’s Andy Murray move comes after Brit was backed ‘to become greatest coach of all time’

Ewan West 26 Nov 2024 3:56 PM

Mats Wilander, Novak Djokovic and Andy Murray

Novak Djokovic’s decision to appoint Andy Murray as his coach has stunned the tennis world and sparked huge excitement about the partnership.

The stunning move came after tennis legend Mats Wilander recently claimed Murray “might become the greatest coach of all time.”

Djokovic parted ways with former coach Goran Ivanisevic in March after a hugely successful collaboration that began in 2019 and featured nine Grand Slam titles.

In a video shared on social media, Djokovic announced Murray would 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 winner 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.

“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.”

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Djokovic and Murray contested 36 matches between 2006 and 2017 during the pair’s rivalry, with the Serbian holding a 25-11 advantage. Murray called time on his illustrious career after this year’s Olympic Games in Paris.

Earlier this month, Wilander urged Murray to remain in tennis following his retirement as he talked up the three-time Grand Slam champion’s potential as a coach.

“Sir Andy Murray, would you do us a favour, please, and not walk away from professional tennis when you’re not playing anymore?,” the Swede told Eurosport.

“Andy, as a coach, might become the greatest coach of all time because he knows the game. He’s into stats. He physically works harder than anyone I’ve ever seen.

“He’s overcome these obstacles of not winning Grand Slams in his first couple of four or five Grand Slam final appearances.”

Prior to the news of Murray and Djokovic’s partnership, Wilander had suggested that the two-time Olympic gold medallist could have been a good coach for Casper Ruud.

“I think Casper is at the point in his career where you have to look at what Andy Murray did by hiring Ivan Lendl,” the seven-time Grand Slam champion said.

“Andy lost four Grand Slam finals, so did Ivan Lendl before they won their first one. Then, of course, it turns out that Murray won two Olympic golds, and he won three Grand Slams.

“Ivan Lendl won eight of them. So it’s just a matter of winning the first. How do you win your first one? Obviously, Christian, his dad, is an unbelievable coach, and he’s taken Casper from his childhood years to be one of the best players in the world.

“That is already a big surprise when you look at the way Casper plays, and you think he’s got a weakness on the back end.

“But at this point, is it time for Casper to hire someone who has won Grand Slam tournaments in the past, who can say that golden phrase that is, ‘Casper did you ever think about this when you played big matches?’ ‘Oh, no, I haven’t.’ ‘Oh, look, it changed your career because you have to believe that’s what Lendl did with Murray.’

“Murray had the big three to deal with, and he still won three Grand Slam titles.”