Andy Murray has admitted he is “not sure” if he enjoyed coaching Novak Djokovic after the two tennis icons split last month. Murray retired from the sport last summer, meaning it came as a huge surprise in November when it was announced that he would be stepping up to coach his legendary rival, Djokovic.
The three-time and 24-time Grand Slam winners joined forces ahead of the Australian Open, where the Serb reached the semi-finals but ultimately pulled out of the tournament injured after losing the first set. Djokovic, 38, went on to have a difficult season by his lofty standards despite Murray providing him with plenty of technical and tactical analysis. He would lose his first match in four out of five tournaments before he and Murray announced in May that their partnership had come to an end by mutual agreement – six months after coming together and six weeks before Wimbledon.
Murray has now spoken publicly about his unique experience. He was asked in an interview in front of his fans at SEC Armadillo, Glasgow, about the split by broadcaster Andrew Cotter, and explained that they parted ways because he wasn’t particularly enjoying his role.
Murray said on Wednesday: “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.” He paused before adding: “I’m not sure if I did,” drawing laughter from the crowd.
Djokovic had stated that the duo “couldn’t get more out of the partnership on court” and clarified his feelings on the split ahead of the French Open last month, saying: “It was mutual, We both wanted to have a call and to speak, so we – actually, we both were on the same page. So it was not, you know, his initiative or my initiative. It was both of us coming together and just saying, you know, I think we should stop here. That’s what it was.”
Djokovic and Murray might have had an awkward reunion at Roland Garros as they both took part in Rafael Nadal’s farewell ceremony, but the Serb revealed their player-coach dynamic has not affected their friendship.
“He did congratulate me [on Geneva], and he said, ‘Now that you have a proper coach, you’re winning tournaments,'” the Serbian continued. “I don’t know, I didn’t take that as a joke! I mean, of course he was joking, but, you know… I think I have said enough, but I will say it again: Andy is just an amazing person.
“For him to join my team and for us to give a shot to this player-coach relationship was really an incredible thing for tennis and for both of us. I was very privileged and honoured. I was enjoying myself very much regardless of the fact that we haven’t had maybe the success we both wanted or people expected us to have.
“But I still think that, you know, I have learned things on the court with him, I have enjoyed my conversations with him about tennis, because I still think that he’s one of the most brilliant tennis IQ guys out there. Whoever he decides to work with next, if and when, you know, that player is going to be lucky because he has definitely a lot to share, a lot of great insights. It just didn’t work out between us in terms of results, in terms of what we were hoping for, and that’s all there is to it.
“Personally, I actually enjoyed my time very much with him, and I feel like we have a closer relationship because of our working relationship in the last four, five months.”