Novak Djokovic has added Andy Murray to his coaching team to send a statement to three main ATP rivals, according to Julien Benneteau.
The world of tennis was sent into a state of shock on Saturday afternoon when news that Murray, who only retired earlier this year, was set to become Djokovic’s coach in the new year broke.
It comes after a mixed year on the court for Djokovic and his first since 2017 without a Grand Slam title of any kind.
Djokovic did end a career-long wait for Olympic gold, but on the ATP Tour, the Serb has had to sit back and watch as Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner swept all four Grand Slams up.
And it’s because of Alcaraz and Sinner’s dominance that Benneteau believes he’s called on Murray’s expertise ahead of the 2025 season.
The Frenchman said: “It’s not because you were a great player that you are a good coach and that guarantees success as a coach. Andy Murray will have the role of coach, not trainer; he will not teach him how to hit a forehand or a backhand.
“I think Djokovic has a real motivation to reach 25 Grand Slams, to be the only one to have done it, and he will do everything for it.”
But it isn’t just Alcaraz and Sinner who Djokovic has to be wary of, with Benneteau also tipping Alexander Zverev for a strong 2025 season.
He added: “And the fact that Murray joins him in his team, it is a signal that he sends to the others and also to himself in order to have another voice, another vision on the game of Alcaraz and Sinner to be able to beat them in five sets.
“We must not forget [Alexander] Zverev, who finished the year strongly. And I think it is in this perspective that he calls on Andy Murray.”
The partnership was officially revealed on social media, with Djokovic posting a video to Instagram titled ‘He never liked retirement anyway’.
Speaking in the short clip, Djokovic stated: “We played each other since we were boys, 25 years of being rivals, of pushing each other beyond our limits.
“We had some of the most epic battles in our sport. I thought our story may be over – turns out it has one final chapter.
“It’s time for one of my toughest opponents to step into my corner.”
Djokovic will return to action in the new year at the Australian Open in Melbourne.
