Andy Murray could REVERSE his retirement decision, John McEnroe teases, despite Scot coaching old rival Novak Djokovic at the Australian Open

Andy Murray could reverse his decision to retire from tennis despite agreeing to coach his old rival Novak Djokovic, John McEnroe has sensationally claimed.

Murray, a three-time Grand Slam champion, brought an end to his glittering 19-year career after bowing out of the Paris Olympics last August.

Despite also stepping into the world of golf, the 37-year-old made a near-instant return to the court to join forces with Djokovic at the Australian Open.

The two long-time foes worked together during the off-season and in the build-up to the tournament, which is now underway in Melbourne and runs until January 26. 

This is Murray’s very first coaching role and the surprise nature of his partnership with Djokovic, one of his most notorious sparring partners, stunned McEnroe.

McEnroe, who won 155 titles in his career and is a 17-time Grand Slam champion in doubles and singles, also made a shock prediction over the Scot’s future.

‘The coaching situation between Andy Murray and Novak Djokovic, it’s fun but it’s got to be one of the craziest things I’ve ever heard,’ he told Eurosport.

‘I remember being in Australia and hearing that Andy Murray was being coached by Ivan Lendl, my great rival and nemesis from way back when, and I thought about it and said, ‘Oh my God, this is going to work’… But there’s a big age gap. 

‘There’s a one week age gap between Novak and Andy and he just stopped playing. 

‘My theory is, Andy’s going to coach Novak for the next couple of months, and then he’s going to find out everything he needs to know about how to beat Djokovic and then he’s coming back!’

Equally fascinated by the duo, former British No 1 Tim Henman added: ‘It’s such early days, they’ve only had a few weeks to practice and straight into a Grand Slam. 

‘It’ll be interesting to see how Djokovic plays and if Murray has any impact on his game, and see how the relationship evolves. 

‘I don’t think I’ve got any of those answers, but we’ll have to wait and see.’

Djokovic, a 24-time Grand Slam champion, has won the Australian Open a record 10 times and defeated Murray in four finals in Melbourne.

Murray is now aiming to help Djokovic become the best sportsperson of all time. 

Ahead of Djokovic’s opening match, he said: ‘Novak has in the last few years cemented himself as the best tennis player of all time with the records he’s achieved.

‘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.’

‘In my opinion, from watching his matches last year, there was at times a little bit missing,’ added Murray. ‘But there wasn’t at the Olympics.

‘The injury around the French Open right ahead of the Olympic Games probably focused his attention. He had a great Wimbledon, a tough final there, 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.’

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