In the most shocking and exciting news of the week, Andy Murray has taken on his first coaching role, partnering with his long-time rival Novak Djokovic for the 2025 Australian Open.
The Scot retired earlier this year at the Paris Olympics but has taken little time before announcing his comeback.
Novak Djokovic, a 24-time Grand Slam champion, likely sees Andy Murray’s deep understanding of his own game as an asset in his pursuit of a record-extending 25th Slam.
The pairing brings together two of the sport’s sharpest tactical minds, promising a fascinating dynamic.
Murray himself expressed excitement about being “on the same side of the net” as Djokovic for a change.
Jonathan Overend reacts to Andy Murray’s role as Novak Djokovic’s new coach
The announcement of Murray joining Djokovic’s coaching team understandably sent shockwaves through the tennis world.
The two share one of the sport’s most storied rivalries, dating back to their junior days and spanning over three decades.
While Djokovic’s past coaching partnerships with legends like Boris Becker, Andre Agassi, and Goran Ivanisevic were headline-worthy, the Murray collaboration feels especially unexpected.
As Sky Sports’ Jonathan Overend humorously put it: “I had to check the calendar to make sure it wasn’t April 1st!
“I mean look we’ve had some interesting and exciting partnerships in tennis over the years,” he continued. “Even with Djokovic, you look at his hires of Ivanisevic, Becker, Agassi for a short while, Murray with Lendl. But Djokovic and Murray – no I did not see that coming.
“A rivalry that goes right back to junior days. They were born seven days apart from each other in May 1987, and that mirroring of their junior career went into the senior ranks as well. They played each other more than 30 times in some of the biggest matches of course. And now a role change for Murray as he tries to help Djokovic win one more grand slam.”
Andy Murray and Novak Djokovic’s career rivalry
Djokovic and Murray have faced each other 36 times, with Djokovic leading their head-to-head record 25–11.
Djokovic dominates on hard courts (20–8) and clay (5–1), while Murray holds the edge on grass, winning both of their matches on that surface.
Remarkably, they are one of only two pairs to have contested finals at all four Grand Slam tournaments, the other being Djokovic and Rafael Nadal.
Born just a week apart, the two rivals rose through the junior circuit together, with Murray winning their first-ever meeting as teenagers at Les Petits As in 2001.
The Serb however got the last laugh with their final meeting in the 2017 Doha final going his way.
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