Novak Djokovic says what Andy Murray has been doing since becoming his coach which he already ‘loves’

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Novak Djokovic made a successful return to tennis at the Brisbane International this week.

The ATP Tour just doesn’t feel right without a certain Serbian star competing, but fans don’t have to worry about that anymore as Djokovic made his return this week.

Djokovic beat Rinky Hijikata in the opening round of the Brisbane International, having not played a singles match since early October.

He’s also competing in the doubles this week, as Djokovic and Nick Kyrgios won their first-round match on Tuesday.

His pairing with the Aussie isn’t the only big partnership the 37-year-old has started recently, however, as Djokovic brought Andy Murray in as his new coach ahead of this year’s Australian Open.

They have been getting along great, and Djokovic has recently revealed what he ‘loves’ about working alongside his former rival.

Novak Djokovic says he ‘loves’ talking to Andy Murray about the ‘nuances’ of his game

Following his first-round victory at the Brisbane International, Djokovic was asked about his relationship with new coach Murray.

“Just overall very nice and a strange feeling to have him on the same side of the court,” he said.

“You know, we’ve been rivals for 20-plus years and always kind of kept secrets from each other, the way we practiced, the way we prepared, the way we approached the matches.

“Never wanted to show weakness to your main opponents, your rivals.”

That relationship has changed, and Djokovic is happy to be working alongside the three-time Slam winner.

“We spent eight, nine days together and shared a lot of information even before we met, and then together for those eight, nine days was really great, quality time on and off the court, getting to know each other I think on a different level we haven’t had a chance to have in the past 20 years,” he said.

“To have a legend of the game, someone that is known to be as intelligent tennis player as there is out there, it’s a great honor, great pleasure for me.

“I love talking to him about the nuances, the details, how I can improve my game, how I can, yeah, gain an inch, court positioning more compared to my opponent, and every bit of percentage counts at the highest level.

“So what I have been getting from him already is really positive, but, you know, we haven’t spent too many days on the court together, so I look forward to having him in Melbourne.”

Will Novak Djokovic need to improve to win the 2025 Australian Open?

It’s tough to judge Djokovic’s level considering he has played just one professional singles match since his defeat to Jannik Sinner in Shanghai last October, but as a ten-time winner, he’ll likely head to Melbourne as one of the favorites for the trophy.

He’s not taking anything for granted, however, and is putting in the hard work as he looks to pick up a record-extending 25th Major title next month.

“I definitely am looking to improve, even if it’s the slightest percentage, every single shot that I have in my game, and maybe something that people don’t necessarily see is this court positioning, the transition play, the tactics,” said Djokovic.

“Just focusing mostly on myself, really, how I can be better physically, game-wise, mentally, as well.

“I think in the upcoming weeks, we will also, particularly the week before the Australian Open, do a lot of video analysis of my main opponents, top guys, trying to understand how my game matches up against theirs and what I have done in the past well, what I can improve.

“So there is quite a bit of analytics in there, and I am that kind of person, I like to go into details.”

Djokovic last won the Australian Open in 2023, when he took down Stefanos Tsitsipas in straight sets, 6-3, 7-6, 7-6.

Securing a tenth title down under, Djokovic underlined his dominance at the event, which will be hard for anyone to overcome in 2025, including defending champion and world number one Sinner.

Djokovic has won three times more matches than any other member of the ATP top ten at the Australian Open, winning over 90% of his contests at the tournament.

The likes of Sinner and Daniil Medvedev have impressed in Melbourne over recent years, but it will still be a tough ask for anyone to beat the Serb on Rod Laver Arena.

Djokovic will begin his 20th Australian Open campaign on January 12.