Finding the eye of the tiger: after an almost blank year in 2024, saved by the coveted Olympic gold, Novak Djokovic took the gamble of enlisting one of his best rivals, the newly retired Andy Murray, a workaholic ahead of put him back on the path to a 25th Major title.
The Serbian, record holder for Grand Slam victories, dropped to 7th in the world at the end of a disappointing season devoid of titles on the ATP circuit, announced this collaboration on Saturday, which looks exciting on paper, even if the Briton does not he has never before taken on the role of coach, he who only put away his rackets this summer after the Paris Games, forced and forced by yet another injury.
“He never liked retirement anyway”wrote Djokovic, in a joking tone, in the caption of his video announcing the news on social networks, through photos and videos of their numerous arm wrestling on the courts.
“We’ve been playing against each other since we were kids”says Nole in voiceover. “25 years of rivalry, pushing each other’s limits. We fought some of the most epic battles in our sport. They called us revolutionaries, risk takers, history makers. I thought our shared story was over. Finally, she has a final chapter. It’s time for one of my toughest opponents to join my staff. Welcome, coach Andy Murray ».
Mental wear and tear
The collaboration between Djokovic and Murray, both aged 37 and who have a total of 27 Majors in their bag – three for the Briton who upset the almost undivided domination of the Big 3 completed by Nadal and Federer during their splendor – will therefore initially focus on the preparation phase and the progress of the Australian Open (January 12-26).
The Serb had been without a coach since last March, and the end of his collaboration with the Croatian Goran Ivanisevic.
In his garden in Melbourne, the « Djoker » will try to win an 11th time in singles. This would allow her to increase her Grand Slam record to 25 and thus overtake the Australian Margaret Court in first place among the most successful, all genres combined. Certainly, THE reason which pushes him to continue his career, while the Olympic gold medal has completed his plethoric list of achievements where no line is missing.
Serbian Novak Djokovic (l.) poses with the winner’s trophy after beating Briton Andy Murray in the final of the tournament in Doha, Qatar, January 7, 2017 / KARIM JAAFAR / AFP/Archives
Last year, he stopped there in the semi-finals, beaten quite sharply by Jannik Sinner, then at the dawn of a season which saw the Italian also win the US Open, the ATP Masters, three Masters 1000, to finish at the top of the world hierarchy, only rivaled by Carlos Alcaraz, winner at Roland-Garros and Wimbledon.
The rivalry of the two new pearls of world tennis asserting itself, Djokovic struggled to exist alongside them, falling back to 7th in the world, appearing for the first time overwhelmed at certain moments on the courts and showing signs of mental wear and tear, he same year that Rafael Nadal decided to put an end to his prodigious career, forced by a bruised body that no longer allowed him to compete at the high level.
Want to fight
A pitfall also dragged in recent years by Andy Murray, weighed down by serious injuries, notably to the hip, despite a madman’s courage in wanting to find his best level, which had led him to occupy 1st place in the world and to winning Olympic gold (2012, 2016) in addition to his coronations at the US Open 2012 and Wimbledon 2013 and 2016.
It is this desire to fight that « Missing » hopes to be able to wake up to the Scotsman, known for his fighting spirit and his tireless efforts on the tennis courts, in training and in matches. The Serb was a privileged witness to this, during their 36 face-to-face matches (25 victories for Djokovic), including seven clashes in the Major finals (5 to 2).
Britain’s Andy Murray (l.) and Serbia’s Novak Djokovic (r.) during a European team training session ahead of the 2022 Laver Cup at the O2 Arena in London, September 22, 2022 / Glyn KIRK / AFP/Archives
“It’s time for one of my toughest opponents to get in my corner.”insisted Djokovic, using rhetoric specific to boxing, which recalls the scenario of Rocky III by Sylvester Stallone, when his best rival Appolo Creed made him a champion again.
“I’m very excited and can’t wait to be on the same side of the net for once.”for his part commented Murray, who should not spare the Serbian, also in search of a 100th ATP title.
