Andy Murray Makes Startling Admission About Whether He Enjoyed Coaching Novak Djokovic
NewsSaturday, 21 June 2025 at 16:55
Andy Murray and Novak Djokovic's coaching partnership generated much interest among tennis fans worldwide, but the Briton was honest in a recent interview about whether he enjoyed the role.
After not having a full-time coach for most of the 2024 season because of splitting with Goran Ivanisevic in March last year, Djokovic announced in November that Murray would become his coach in 2025.
The pair initially seemed to strike up a good rapport. Djokovic beat Carlos Alcaraz in the 2025 Australian Open quarterfinals before picking up an unfortunate injury in the semifinal against Alexander Zverev.
Despite initially planning to work together until at least the end of the 2025 French Open, they parted last month after Djokovic's poor start to the clay court swing in Monte-Carlo and Madrid. The decision to split was mutual.
Murray told Glasgow's SEC Armadillo via The Times that he felt the opportunity with Djokovic was one he had to take up, but is unsure whether it was a role he liked.
"We had a chat on the phone and he asked me if I would consider coaching him, which I wasn’t expecting. I think it was a pretty unique opportunity. I was really enjoying being at home, but I thought I should give it a go and see whether I enjoyed it. I’m not sure if I did."
There does not seem to be any bad blood between Murray and Djokovic. The pair attended Rafael Nadal's farewell, and Djokovic revealed that Murray had joked with him about his improved results after their split.
Both men always speak honestly in the media, and Djokovic almost certainly will not mind his former coach and on-court rival admitting that coaching was not as enjoyable as he thought. Murray may have said that to the Serbian in their conversations that led to the split.
The three-time Grand Slam champion also discussed playing in the same era as Djokovic, Rafael Nadal, and Roger Federer. Although Murray challenged that trio more consistently than anyone, he does not mind them being known as "the big 3."
"It’s not important. It’s not something I lose any sleep over at night. I’m fully aware that what those guys achieved is far greater than anything I’ve done. I would never claim to be on the same level as them."
Murray's three major titles, two Olympic gold medals, 2016 ATP Finals title, and brief stint as the world No. 1 made him the undisputed fourth-best player of that incredible generation of tennis, which was a great achievement.
However, Murray's constant desire to improve meant he did not fully appreciate his achievements. The 2012 US Open champion regrets that and wishes he had given himself more credit for competing consistently in that incredible era of tennis.
"It was special…and I didn’t do a good job of celebrating those good times and acknowledging the achievements and stuff. I regret that. My perspective has changed hugely since I finished playing. I do look back and I feel proud about what I achieved. It feels like a really, really long time ago already."
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