Djokovic Enlists Rival Murray as Coach in Bid for 25th Grand Slam

MELBOURNE, Australia — In a surprising twist to one of tennis’ most storied rivalries, Novak Djokovic has enlisted former rival Andy Murray as part of his coaching team ahead of the 2025 Australian Open. The move comes as Djokovic seeks to secure a record-breaking 25th Grand Slam title, further cementing his legacy as one of the sport’s greatest players.

The pair, who have faced each other 36 times in their careers, including multiple Grand Slam finals, were seen practicing together in Melbourne this week. Murray, who retired from professional tennis in August 2024, has taken on a coaching role to help Djokovic navigate the challenges of the tournament. Djokovic, currently tied with Margaret Court for the most Grand Slam titles, is aiming to become the outright leader in men’s tennis history.

“It’s in search of perfection that Novak Djokovic, I think, hires Andy Murray,” said Mats Wilander, a seven-time Grand Slam champion and Eurosport analyst. “Murray might have some valuable information that Novak hasn’t thought about before, and that could be the difference between him winning his 25th Grand Slam title or not.”

Djokovic, who turns 38 in May, is no stranger to defying age expectations. Despite a challenging 2024 season, where he failed to win a major title for the first time since 2017, he remains a formidable contender. His decision to bring Murray into his team reflects his relentless pursuit of excellence and his willingness to explore unconventional strategies.

Murray, a three-time Grand Slam champion and former world No. 1, brings a unique perspective to Djokovic’s game. “He knows the pros and cons of my game and has also played up to recently on the tour, so he knows all the other best players currently in the world,” Djokovic said. “I look forward to it, I really do.”

The partnership has already drawn attention for its unexpected nature. The two players, who first met as 12-year-olds in junior tournaments, have shared a fierce rivalry on the court. Their first major final against each other came at the 2011 Australian Open, where Djokovic emerged victorious. Since then, Djokovic has gone on to win a record 10 Australian Open titles and spent a record 428 weeks as world No. 1.

Djokovic enters this year’s tournament as the seventh seed, facing a challenging draw that could pit him against rising star Carlos Alcaraz in the quarterfinals. Alcaraz, the defending champion and world No. 1, is seeking to complete a career Grand Slam, while second seed Alexander Zverev is chasing his first major title.

For Murray, the opportunity to coach Djokovic represents a new chapter in his post-playing career. “I thought it was a pretty unique opportunity and experience,” Murray said. “I thought it would be a good idea to try it.” The partnership is currently on a trial basis, with both parties set to evaluate its success after the tournament.

As Djokovic continues his quest for tennis immortality, the collaboration with Murray adds an intriguing subplot to the Australian Open. Whether this unlikely alliance will yield the desired results remains to be seen, but it underscores Djokovic’s unwavering determination to push the boundaries of what is possible in the sport.