Novak Djokovic introduced on Saturday that his retired veteran competitor Andy Murray is signing up with the 24-time Grand Slam- winning gamer’s training group, beginning at the Australian Open in January.
“I’m thrilled to have one of my biggest rivals on the same side of the net with me, this time as my coach. I look forward to starting the season with Andy and having him by my side in Melbourne, where we’ve shared many exceptional moments throughout our careers,” Djokovic stated in a declaration.
Murray, a three-time Grand Slam champ that relinquished affordable tennis at the Olympics in August, stated: “I am very excited about this and look forward to being on the same side of the net for a change.
“I’m additionally happy for the chance to assist him attain his objectives for the future year.”
Djokovic posted a video on X of him and Murray during the Scotsman’s playing career, jokingly titled: “He never ever suched as retired life anyhow.”
The 37-year-old Serb has won the Australian Open a record 10 times, defeating Murray in four Melbourne finals.
Djokovic failed to win a Grand Slam in 2024 and has slipped to seventh in the world, although he did land the Olympic singles title in Paris, a victory he described as his ” biggest accomplishment”.
Jannik Sinner, who will finish the year as the runaway world number one, beat him in the Australian Open semi-finals and Djokovic lost to Carlos Alcaraz in straight sets in the Wimbledon final.
He is level with Margaret Court for the most major singles titles by any player and would dearly love to overtake the Australian in Melbourne.
Djokovic and Murray faced each other 36 times in their careers with the Serb winning 25 times.
Nineteen of those clashes came in finals, including seven at the Slams.
For Murray, two of those major championship duels were significant.
He captured his maiden Grand Slam title with a five-set victory over his rival at the 2012 US Open while, a year later, he famously became the first British man to win Wimbledon in 77 years courtesy of a straight sets victory in the final at the All England Club.
“We played each various other because we were young boys– 25 years of being opponents, of pressing each various other past our restrictions. We had several of one of the most impressive fights in our sporting activity,” added Djokovic on Saturday.
“They called us gamechangers, threat takers, background manufacturers. I assumed our tale might more than. Turns out, it has one last phase. It’s time for among my hardest challengers to enter my edge.”
Djokovic ended his coaching partnership with Goran Ivanisevic in March despite winning 12 Slams together.
Former Wimbledon winner Ivanisevic had admitted Djokovic is ” not a very easy person” such is his intensity to make history in the sport.
“Especially when something’s not going his means. Sometimes it’s extremely made complex,” stated Ivanisevic after Djokovic had actually declared the 2023 French Open.
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