On Saturday, Novak Djokovic dropped a bombshell as he announced his old rival Andy Murray would begin coaching him during the off-season.
It’s arguably the craziest tennis link-up of all time. Both men reached the top of the game, battling each other in the finals of all four Majors. And they will now be on the same team just months after Murray entered retirement.
The tennis world was understandably rocked by the news. Djokovic’s rivals, his own wife and even Wimbledon have been among those sharing their disbelief at his new coaching hire.
Djokovic had been without a full-time head-coach since he ended his five-year partnership with Goran Ivanisevic back in March. During the off-season, there had been rumblings about the world No. 7 hiring a big name as his coach.
But no one could have expected to see Murray – who retired less than four months ago – step up to coach one of his biggest rivals. The three-time Grand Slam champion will mentor Djokovic during the off-season and through into the 2025 Australian Open.
Djokovic announced the news in a joint social media video post with the three-time Grand Slam champion, and his competitors were quick to respond.
Alejandro Davidovich Fokina – who previously beat the Serb at the Monte Carlo Masters – wrote: “No way! Top,” with a heart-eyed emoji. One of Djokovic and Murray’s old rivals Fabio Fognini, also shared a heart eye and a high-five emoji.
Tomas Etcheverry, who counts the 24-time Grand Slam champion as one of his biggest idols, commented some flames. Former top-10 star Marcos Baghdatis also had a coaching stint after retiring and was excited to see Murray get back on tour already.
“That’s the best news,” he wrote. “one last dance. @andymurray @djokernole.” Another retired star, Daniela Hantuchova, commented: “This is too good.”
Djokovic’s own wife Jelena was thrown by the announcement video. “Anyone thought it was a retirement video?” she joked. One of Andy Murray’s old coaches also backed the Brit’s new career path.
Brad Gilbert, who most recently worked with Coco Gauff, wrote: “Good move.” And official tennis tournaments’ social media accounts also jumped on the hype.
Wimbledon shared a starry-eyed emoji while the Olympics handle commented: “Olympians back together.” The Boss Open in Stuttgart jibed: “That was not on our 2024 bingo card.”
The ATP Tour branded the partnership “absolutely iconic” while Djokovic’s sponsor Lacoste were excited by the announcement, writing: “Insane, Novak! Can’t wait for 2025.”
Djokovic will be back in action in Australia in January after cutting his season 2024 short when he pulled out of the Paris Masters and the ATP Finals despite being the defending champion at both events.
He recently said he wanted to go “full throttle” during the off-season and shared his plans to compete in a tournament in the first week of the 2025 season before the Australian Open. And his training block will be even more exciting with Murray in his corner.
