- Murray is excited by the chance to help Djokovic as his Australian Open coach
- The former rivals are now uniting as Murray aims to guide Djokovic to success
- Murray has been recruited to help Djovokic’s bid to win the Australian Open title
As he prepares to take his seat in the coaching box for the first time on Monday, Andy Murray says his aim is to help Novak Djokovic become not just the best tennis player, but the best sportsperson of all time.
‘Novak has in the last few years cemented himself as the best tennis player of all time with the records he’s achieved,’ said the Scot.
‘These next couple of years, if he can go out as a 38, 39-year-old and win more slams, and beat Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner in big matches, he’s got a claim to be the best athlete of all time and that’s exciting for me and his team to be part of.’
On Monday morning, at 8am UK time, Djokovic will play Nishesh Basavareddy, half his age at 19, in the first round of the Australian Open. It is the start of what feels like a huge year in the twilight zone of Djokovic’s career.
He did not win a single title on tour last year, but roused himself at the Olympics, producing one of his greatest matches against Alcaraz in the final. That Olympic gold for Serbia has been Djokovic’s white whale — to finally deliver it was, he said, the crowning glory of his career.
With nothing left to win, he must show this year he still has the hunger to succeed — and the skill and toughness of mind and body to beat Alcaraz and Sinner.
‘In my opinion, from watching his matches last year, there was at times a little bit missing,’ said Murray. ‘But there wasn’t at the Olympics.
‘The injury around the French Open (a torn meniscus) right ahead of the Olympic Games probably focused his attention. He had a great Wimbledon, a tough final there (thrashed by Alcaraz), but off the back of having knee surgery it’s an incredible result.
‘When he was fully motivated and fully focused, he won the Olympics. It was only natural after that for there to be a bit of a let-down, because he’d set himself one target and one goal for the year and he did that, he achieved the last thing that he felt like he needed to.
‘So for me and his team, it’s about trying to find that motivation to keep going and pushing for more.’
What is unique about this alliance is that Murray and Djokovic, who have had two decades’ practice at keeping secrets from each other, must now reveal all.
Djokovic said: ‘All cards are open on the table,’ and Murray agreed.
‘He’s been unbelievably open,’ said the Scot. ‘The first couple of days it was a bit strange. But both of us have been trying to encourage that communication and build that trust. It’s been fascinating.’
One man who has had a close-up look at the new partnership is British No 1 Jack Draper, who practised with Djokovic on Wednesday.
‘They are keeping their secrets in-house, but it was amazing to have Andy on court and I think he will bring a lot to Novak’s game,’ said Draper.
Murray has been a tremendous supporter of British tennis and there is a sense that, if he continues in his new career, he will eventually work with one of his compatriots.
As Draper looks to push on to the next level, it is far from a leap to imagine he might one day bring his former Davis Cup team-mate on board.
Draper is fully committed to his coach James Trotman, but he declined to rule out the possibility of working with Murray somewhere in the future.
‘Let’s see what happens down the line,’ said the 23-year-old. ‘I have definitely asked him about my game in the past and he has always been amazing with analysing my play. He has got such a big tennis brain.
‘Whatever he brings to any team will have a really positive impact. And his personality as well, he is fun to be around and all the on-court stuff he is a master at.
‘Right now, I am happy with my current set-up, but it is really exciting to see him come back to tennis and feel like he wants to be part of it.’
