Former World No. 1 Honestly Assesses Djokovic Hiring Murray As His Coach
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Eight-time Grand Slam champion Jimmy Connors has analyzed Novak Djokovic's decision to appoint former rival Andy Murray as his coach.
Djokovic hiring Murray after the 2024 season ended stunned tennis fans. The two had one of the best rivalries in tennis history, meeting in seven Grand Slam finals between 2011 and 2016.
The Serbian won five of those finals, including four at the Australian Open. However, Murray beat him at the US Open and Wimbledon and is the only man to overcome him in a Wimbledon final and a Grand Slam final that went to five sets.
Although the pair's history is clear, Murray has never coached another player. The Briton only retired from tennis a few months ago at the Olympics, where Djokovic won the gold medal he had craved for many years.
Despite his lack of coaching experience, Djokovic is convinced that Murray is the perfect choice because he can relate to the pressure of competing on the most significant stages and how to cope with it.
Murray's contract with Djokovic is only until the end of the Australian Open. At that point, the pair will decide whether the collaboration is going well enough to warrant the two-time Wimbledon winner staying longer.
It has not been confirmed whether Murray will begin with Djokovic at the Australian Open or at the 24-time Grand Slam champion's opening tournament of 2025 at the Brisbane International, but there have been reports Murray won't travel to Brisbane.
If true, that would be consistent with Djokovic wanting his old rival for the most significant tournaments rather than for warmup events. Both men might feel the rest of Djokovic's team can handle them.
Speaking on the Advantage Connors Podcast, the former ATP world No. 1 outlined how Djokovic's desire to be in his comfort zone might have contributed to his hiring Murray.
"I think it enters a comfort zone. They have competed against each other, they know each other’s game, they have spent time together – not only on the court, playing great matches – but also off the court."
"There comes a point in time in your later years where, if you feel comfortable and feel relaxed with the people around you, that allows you to go out and attempt to play your best tennis and give it your all."
Connors is unsure whether the decision to hire Murray will work. The American thinks the decision could be a great one or only last a week but likes that Djokovic is willing to give the move a chance.
“The older you get, it’s tougher to push yourself. You look at ‘Djoker’ and he does everything to get himself in prime condition. If he’s around someone who he feels comfortable with now – not that those in the past he didn’t feel comfortable with – but as you get older things change."
"Maybe that is a good thing. It also might only last a week, you don’t know. You have to give it a shot though, I like what he is doing. He is doing whatever he can to go another year at the right level.”
