Novak Djokovic’s ‘high expectations’ and biggest goal revealed after Andy Murray appointment
Andy Murray’s experience of playing at the highest level will “definitely help” when he coaches Novak Djokovic, but he has been warned the 24-time Grand Slam winner will have “high expectations”.
Djokovic caused a stir last week when he announced that his former rival Murray would join his coaching set-up during the off-season and for the 2025 Australian Open.
This will be former world No 1 Murray’s first stint as a coach following his retirement from the game in August this year.
Djokovic, meanwhile, has been without a permanent coach since he parted ways with long-term mentor Goran Ivanisevic in March this year.
Nenad Zimonjic, a former Serbia Davis Cup captain who topped the doubles world rankings when he was playing, joined Djokovic’s coaching team following Ivanisevic’s departure, but it was only on a short-term basis.
The eight-time Grand Slam winner, who has been mentoring Djokovic since his teenage days, gave insight into what it’s like to coach the tennis legend.
“Novak is a very smart guy in making decisions and his career is proof of that,” he told Ubitennis.
“So whenever he needed something really special in terms of coach and help, he reached out. The results are proof of that and I would say that he knows the best.
“They (Djokovic and Murray) know each other quite well and they’ve been playing against each other or together since they were kids.
“They have a similar style. Tactically, Andy was one of the best guys. So he can help him with a different view and different perspectives.
“This is something new for Andy. All the experience that he had with the different coaches in the past and him being a player going through similar situations on his own, it can definitely help.”
Novak Djokovic News
Novak Djokovic gives Grand Slam-winning legend ‘huge inspiration’ as the Big 3 are rated
He added: “Andy is going to be one of the team members there, they’re all together. They have a lot of experience. The whole team together with Novak and to have Andy as an addition, I think, can work out well.”
After an incredible 2023 season during which he won the Australian Open, French Open, Wimbledon and ATP Finals, Djokovic suffered a slump in form this year as he failed to win any Grand Slams.
However, he did manage to achieve a lifelong dream as he won gold at the 2024 Paris Olympics.
But there is no doubt that Djokovic will still want to challenge for the biggest titles come 2025.
“Novak is somebody that has high expectations,” Zimonjic said.
“So for him winning another Grand Slam is going to be the biggest goal.
“If somebody else has expectations, that’s okay. However, I think the most important thing is what he believes.”
It remains to be seen if the Djokovic-Murray partnership will be extended after the Australian Open and Zimonjic says they can only decide the future once they have had a taste of things, stating: “This is something that is going to be new for everybody. That’s probably why they agreed to work through the Australian Open and see how that goes and if it fits well.
“They could continue working together but it might depend on how much Andy wants to travel as well after playing for so many years.”
