Former Wimbledon champion Andy Murray is fortunate to still be happily married, according to Nick Kyrgios anyway. The Scot, who retired from the professional game after the 2024 Paris Olympics, is already back in tennis after agreeing to coach Novak Djokovic on a short-term basis.
The two members of the fabled ‘big four’ will work together through to the conclusion of the Australian Open, where they met in the final on four occasions.
Murray’s playing career lasted longer than many had previously envisaged, with the three-time Grand Slam champion needing hip surgery in both 2018 and 2019, having a metal rod inserted during the latter operation.
Kyrgios is also recovering from chronic injury issues, having missed much of the last two years after wrist and ankle surgery. And on an appearance on the Nothing Major podcast, he cited Murray as an example of why he didn’t want to finish in the sport plagued by physical problems.
Explaining his refusal to rush his comeback, he said: “I didn’t wanna just have an injury, and I don’t want to be someone like Andy Murray, that’s for sure, like hobbling to the finish line, no.
“And now he’s coaching Novak, I’m like, man, this guy actually can’t stay away from tennis. He just can’t. I was like, this guy’s gonna go stay with his family, enjoy his life. But he’s like I’m coaching Novak, I’m like, ‘Oh my god’. I’d break up with him for sure.”
Murray has been married to wife Kim Sears since April 2015. The couple have four children together, and prior to teaming up with Djokovic, he regularly lauded how much he was enjoying both the extra family time and the chance to practice his golf.
But Kyrgios, who at 29 has voiced his intention to return to the ATP Tour in 2025, doesn’t believe Murray retired with dignity. And the former finalist at SW19 refused to put a timescale on when he would be hanging up his racket.
“I think it’s just going out on my own terms,” he added. “Like, you know, if I don’t win a match, I don’t really care. It’s more so just coming back from an injury like this and just going out there again.”
Djokovic, who will be chasing an unprecedented 25th Grand Slam title at Melbourne Park, has explained his reasoning for hiring Murray. After announcing their agreement this month, he claimed his old rival’s familiarity with his play was a crucial factor.
“He knows my game and everything that I have been through very well,” he said. “He knows the things that are wrong with my game, all of my mistakes.”
