Novak Djokovic and Andy Murray have dominated the headlines over recent months as their blockbuster partnership began.
World number seven, Djokovic made a huge move in a bid to win a record-extending 25th Major title at the end of 2024.
Djokovic hired Murray to join his coaching staff three months after the Brit retired from tennis at the Olympic Games.
Attempting to win the Australian Open for the 11th time, Djokovic lost to Alexander Zverev, retiring after one set, having picked up an injury in the previous round.
He returned to the court at this week’s Qatar Open without Murray as the pair looked to reunite next month for the two Masters 1000 tournaments in the United States.
Djokovic fell to Matteo Berrettini in a shocking first-round defeat, as the Serb lost to the world number 35 for the first time in five career meetings.
The 37-year-old will now regroup ahead of March’s Indian Wells tournament, where Murray will return to his coaching box.
Murray and Djokovic have spoken at length about the strength of their coaching relationship and how it stemmed from the rivalry they shared when competing on the ATP Tour.
Many would argue their rivalry peaked in London nine years ago, as the pair battled it out for the ATP Finals title and the world number one ranking.
Novak Djokovic told journalists not to ask Andy Murray about ‘next season’ when he became world number one
There was plenty on the line when Murray and Djokovic faced off in the final of the 2016 ATP Finals.
It was Murray who proved a class above, clinching the title with a stellar performance in front of his home crowd.
For the first time in his career, Murray stood atop the tennis world as the ATP Tour’s number one player.
During Djokovic’s post-match press conference, he was asked whether he was looking forward to battling his rival for the ranking in 2017 before the Serb quickly shut down those questions.
“To be honest, I’m not thinking about it at all at the moment,” he said.
“We should all let Andy [Murray] enjoy this a little bit, don’t ask him questions about next season.
“He deserves to be in the moment and to really take everything in what he achieved.”
Djokovic then credited Murray’s family and coaching team for pushing him towards the number one ranking.
“His team as well, and his wife, she has to get some credit, guys.
“She gave birth this year, he has traveled all over the place.
“I know how it is with my wife Jelena, what she had to go through as a mother back home with a little baby.
“So, Kim, well done, she’s maybe made even a bigger effort than Andy.”
Did journalists listen to Novak Djokovic or did they ask Andy Murray about his 2017 season?
Perhaps unsurprisingly, just a few minutes later, Murray was asked whether winning Major titles or remaining as world number one was his priority for the 2017 season.
“I would like to try and stay there, obviously,” said Murray.
“It’s taken a huge effort the last five, six months to get there, I would obviously like to stay there.
“I’m aware that’s going to be extremely difficult because I had a great year this year.
“I only managed to do it by one match, to repeat that again next year is going to be extremely difficult.”
While he admitted the ranking was a big motivation, he continued to eye further Grand Slam success.
“The Majors are what gets me working hard and what really, really motivates me,” said Murray.
“When I go away in December to train, I’m training with the Australian Open in mind.
“Because of the best-of-five-set matches, they’re the ones you have to really put in the extra work for and the extra training for.
“That’s what motivates me.”
How long did Andy Murray hold the number one ranking for in 2017?
Murray began 2017 full of confidence and quickly found himself in a rematch with Djokovic in the final of the Qatar Open, which he lost in a three-set thriller.
A poor Australian Open showing followed as he fell to Germany’s Mischa Zverev in the fourth round.
Murray then won his only title of the year in Dubai, as he took down Spain’s Fernando Verdasco in straight sets.
A string of disappointing results followed as the Brit struggled with elbow and hip issues.
- Indian Wells – Lost in 2R to Vasek Pospisil
- Monte Carlo Masters – Lost in 3R to Albert Ramos Vinolas
- Barcelona Open – Lost in SF to Dominic Thiem
- Madrid Open – Lost in 3R to Borna Coric
- Italian Open – Lost in 2R to Fabio Fognini
- French Open – Lost in SF to Stan Wawrinka
- Queen’s Club – Lost in 1R to Jordan Thompson
- Wimbledon – Lost in QF to Sam Querrey
Dropping ranking points every week, Murray was eventually surpassed by Spaniard Rafael Nadal in August as he was forced to skip both the Canadian and Cincinnati Masters events through injury.
August 20, 2017, was the final day Murray spent as world number one, having held the ranking for an impressive 41 weeks.
Injuries plagued the remainder of Murray’s career, as he retired from the sport in 2024, having won just one more ATP title, following his triumph in Dubai.
Murray will now hope to aid Djokovic in chasing down the world number-one ranking as he looks to return to the court at Indian Wells, which begins on March 2.
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