Novak Djokovic has made it abundantly clear why he hired Andy Murray as his new coach.
The Serbian shocked the world when he announced that his former rival will be in his corner for the start of the 2025 season.
This comes just three months after Murray retired from tennis at the Paris Olympic Games after defeat in the men’s doubles quarter-finals alongside Dan Evans.
Djokovic is keen to get back in the Grand Slam winner’s circle this season and hiring someone who knows how to win majors with recent knowledge of the game is an astute move.
Why did Novak Djokovic hire Andy Murray as his coach?
Andy Murray’s first job as a tennis coach is for none other than 24-time Grand Slam champion Novak Djokovic.
The Olympic champion asked the Brit him to be part of his team, and it did not take long before he accepted.
Djokovic had been looking to bring someone new into his team since splitting with former coach Goran Ivanisevic in March.
Now he has explained why he chose to seek guidance from his friend and a player who he contested many great battles with in their careers.
“We all know that we all have to stop and say goodbye at some point to what we’ve done all of our lives,” Djokovic told Sky Sports. “Andy and Rafa [Nadal], we knew that the end was coming. I still will try to go strong because I feel like my body is serving me well.
“I still have motivation to win Grand Slams, make more history. That’s one of the biggest reasons why I asked Andy to work with me. Because I still have big plans. So as long as that’s the case, I’ll keep going.
“I don’t have any date in my mind or any result after I achieve it, potentially that I’m going to say goodbye and retire. I’ll keep going as much as I feel like I can be one of the candidates for the biggest titles in [the] sport.”
Andy Murray already enjoying his role as Novak Djokovic’s coach
On Friday, Djokovic was pictured at the Lusail International Circuit watching the practice sessions for the F1 Qatar Grand Prix.
The Brit took to Instagram and left a comment under a photo of Djokovic with Mercedes driver George Russell.
Murray saw the photo and did not waste the opportunity to have some player and coach banter with Djokovic. It read: “He should be on the practice court,” along with shocked and straight-faced emojis.
The 24-time Grand Slam champion saw the funny side and responded alongside laughing emojis: “Sorry coach I will be back soon.”
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