Novak Djokovic will look to secure his 100th ATP title at this year’s Madrid Open.
The Serbian star made headlines at the end of 2024 when Djokovic hired Andy Murray as his coach.
Beginning their working relationship in Melbourne, Djokovic reached the semi-finals of the Australian Open, scoring an impressive victory against Carlos Alcaraz in the quarters.
Djokovic then qualified for his first final with Murray as his coach in Miami, losing to Czech teenager Jakub Mensik in straight sets, 6-7, 6-7.
Most recently, Djokovic lost to Alejandro Tabilo in his opening match at the Monte-Carlo Masters, a tournament Murray chose not to attend.
Ahead of Murray’s return to Djokovic’s coaching team at the Madrid Open, the 24-time Major champion has revealed why he brought the Brit on board.
Novak Djokovic says he hired Andy Murray as his new coach because of his ‘professionalism’
Appearing as a guest on the Iguales podcast, Djokovic explained why he hired Murray as his new coach.
“At the time I was thinking about Andy [Murray] and knowing that him being so professional during his career, him knowing all of my opponents, basically from all the generations because he just stopped less than a year ago playing professionally and having a similar mentality, he would understand me,” said Djokovic.
“He would understand what I’m going through on the court, off the court, so yeah, absolutely, that was one of the reasons.
“I’ve of course known him for so many years, but I’ve known him as a rival, as a competitor, I never knew him as a person, privately, to get to know his character.
“Now I have that opportunity, so it’s lovely to really have that exchange with him, to see the different side of Andy’s personality, which I think is brilliant.”
Djokovic and Murray enjoyed a legendary ATP Tour rivalry, battling it out 36 times in total, with the Serb winning the head-to-head, 25-11.
They remarkably played one another in seven Grand Slam finals, with Murray clinching two of his three Major titles against the man he now coaches.
| Grand Slam final | Winner | Loser | Score |
| 2016 French Open | Novak Djokovic | Andy Murray | 3-6, 6-1, 6-2, 6-4 |
| 2016 Australian Open | Novak Djokovic | Andy Murray | 6-1, 7-5, 6-3 |
| 2015 Australian Open | Novak Djokovic | Andy Murray | 7-6, 6-7, 6-3, 6-0 |
| 2013 Wimbledon | Andy Murray | Novak Djokovic | 6-4, 7-5, 6-4 |
| 2013 Australian Open | Novak Djokovic | Andy Murray | 6-7, 7-6, 6-3, 6-2 |
| 2012 US Open | Andy Murray | Novak Djokovic | 7-6, 7-5, 2-6, 3-6, 6-2 |
| 2011 Australian Open | Novak Djokovic | Andy Murray | 6-4, 6-2, 6-3 |
Dominating down under, Djokovic beat Murray in four Australian Open finals (2011, 2013, 2015, 2016)
Novak Djokovic’s record with and without Andy Murray as his coach in 2025
Djokovic has yet to pick up his first title of 2025, but there have certainly been some positive signs to take from the early months of his partnership with Murray.
Murray has only worked alongside Djokovic for three of the six tournaments he’s played in 2025, and the world number five’s record at those events speaks for itself.
Novak Djokovic’s record with Andy Murray
| Tournament | Round lost in | Record |
| Australian Open | SF | 5-1 |
| Indian Wells | 2R | 0-1 |
| Miami Open | F | 5-1 |
| Total | – | 10-3 |
Novak Djokovic’s record without Andy Murray
| Tournament | Round lost in | Record |
| Brisbane International | QF | 2-1 |
| Qatar Open | 1R | 0-1 |
| Monte-Carlo Masters | 2R | 0-1 |
| Total | – | 2-3 |
With Murray, Djokovic has a winning record of 10-3 (77%) in 2025, whilst he holds a losing record of 2-3 (40%) without him.
Djokovic’s latest defeat to Tabilo at the Monte-Carlo Masters was one of his worst of the season, as he produced a truly lacklustre performance in the principality.
He’ll be hoping to bounce back in Madrid, as he plays his first clay court match with Murray by his side.
Djokovic is set to begin his Madrid Open campaign on Saturday, April 26, against Italy’s Matteo Arnaldi on Manolo Santana Stadium.
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