World number one Novak Djokovic has said he has ‘huge respect’ for Andy Murray and jokingly admitted he still remembers the Briton who ‘kicked his ass’ in their junior match 25 years ago years.
Djokovic and Murray, who created one of the best rivalries on the ATP Tour in the 21st century, have met many times on the biggest stage
. Amazingly, Djokovic and Murray haven’t played against each other since meeting in the Doha final in 2017.
Last year, Djokovic and Murray were due to play in Madrid, but the Briton suffered from food poisoning just before the match and had to withdraw. Djokovic and Murray may not have met for years but the Serb still deeply respects the Briton.
Djokovic on Murray: Great respect for him.
“It’s not guaranteed that we’ll meet, but off the court we meet, but on the court we both have to win two games. I mean, huge respect for him.
Andy and I have known each other for a long time, I think we were 11 or 12. It’s the first time we met, the first time we played against each other.
He kicked my ass – sorry for my language – at the time.” “Since then we’ve sort of followed each other on our journey to becoming professional players. We didn’t have a lot of separation in terms of results, in terms of time.
I may have reached the top 5 earlier than him, but we have always been very close. Iso much talent, incredible courage, an exceptional mentality of a champion, a fighter.
What’s happening now this year with his match points saved in every game he plays, the number of hours he’s been on court since the start of the year, especially in Australia, that’s something to admire and say ‘Hats Off’ because of everything he’s been through,” Djokovic said, according to Sportskeeda.
This week, Djokovic retired from competition in Dubai. Murray, who received a wildcard for the main draw in Dubai, was forced to withdraw from the tournament. For at least one more week, we won’t see a game between Djokovic and Murray.
