Tennis player Novak Djokovic has confirmed that his close friend Andy Murray will take on the role of coach in his team for an unspecified period.
“We will work together in the US and some clay tournaments first. After that, we will evaluate the situation and make the next decision,” Djokovic told the ATP Tour media channel on February 19.
According to the plan, Djokovic will compete in two Masters 1000 events in the US, Indian Wells and Miami in March. Next, the 37-year-old tennis player will return to Europe for the clay season, starting with the tournament in Monte Carlo in April. Serbian press believes that Djokovic and Murray will continue to work together at least until Wimbledon.
Djokovic said Murray needed some time to think and discuss with his family and team before agreeing to continue working together. “I was the one who proactively expressed my desire to continue this cooperation. So I am really happy that Andy agreed,” Nole said. “Like everyone else, we were excited to be on the same side. He gave me a unique perspective.”
Murray’s advice helped Djokovic reach the semi-finals of the Australian Open, before the 24-time Grand Slam winner was forced to retire at the end of the first set of his match against Alexander Zverev due to injury. Djokovic suffered a muscle tear and was unable to play for Serbia in the Davis Cup.
Nole returned to the Qatar Open this week. However, he was eliminated early in the first round, losing 6-7, 2-6 to Matteo Berrettini. In addition to the singles, Djokovic also played doubles with Fernando Verdasco. The pair reached the quarter-finals before losing 5-7, 4-6 to Harri Heliovaaara and Henry Patten.
This was also the last match of Verdasco’s career. He retired at the age of 41. The former Spaniard won seven titles during his career, the biggest being in Barcelona in 2010. His highest ranking was world number seven. He is best remembered for his epic five-set loss to Rafael Nadal in the semi-finals of the 2009 Australian Open.
Andy Murray will team up with rival Novak Djokovic as the Serbian’s coach in 2025. The news was announced by the pair on Saturday. Andy Murray played against Novak Djokovic 36 times during his playing career. Djokovic leads 25-11.
Novak Djokovic has won 24 Grand Slams and is the longest-serving No. 1 in tennis history. Meanwhile, Andy Murray has won three Grand Slams, two Olympic gold medals and has held the No. 1 ranking. He ended his playing career after the Summer Olympics in Paris in August. The French capital also saw Novak Djokovic win his first gold medal in singles.
Djokovic is excited about working with Andy Murray. “We played together as boys, 25 years as rivals. We pushed each other to the limit. We had some great matches.
They called us game changers, risk takers, history makers. I thought the story between me and him might have ended. But it turns out there is a final chapter. It’s time for me and him to work together. Welcome Andy to my coaching team.”