As he bids to win a record-setting twenty fifth grand slam title, Novak Djokovic is bringing in one other member of the Huge 4 as his coach.
In a put up on social media, Djokovic introduced that longtime pal and rival Andy Murray will probably be his coach on the 2025 Australian Open.
“We performed one another since we have been boys — 25 years of being rivals, of pushing one another past our limits,” Djokovic stated.
“We had a few of the most epic battles in our sport. I assumed our story could also be over.
“Seems, it has one remaining chapter. It is time for one in every of my hardest opponents to step into my nook. Welcome on board, coach — Andy Murray.”
Former world primary Andy Murray stated he is “actually excited” to assist Djokovic put together for the primary grand slam event of the season.
“I am trying ahead to spending time on the identical aspect of the web as Novak for a change, serving to him to attain his targets.”
It will be his first teaching function since retiring from enjoying in August, after exiting the boys’s doubles on the Paris 2024 Olympics.
Grew up competing in opposition to each other
Each males are 37 and born only a week aside in Might 1987.
The pair began going through one another as juniors and wound up assembly 36 occasions as professionals. Djokovic holds a 25-11 benefit.
Djokovic is stage with Australian Margaret Courtroom for essentially the most main singles titles by any participant.
He is spent extra weeks at primary than every other participant in tennis historical past.
Sometimes called the GOAT, Djokovic has gained the Australian Open a file 10 occasions and beat Murray in 4 finals in Melbourne.
The pair have been longtime rivals and associates for 25 years. (Reuters: Gonzalo Fuentes)
It could solely be becoming for him to overhaul Courtroom in Melbourne, the place he has loved large success.
However this season has been troublesome by his requirements.
Djokovic did not win a serious title for the primary time since 2017.
He did nevertheless, win his first Olympic gold medal for Serbia in singles on the Paris Olympics, describing it as his “biggest achievement”.
The previous primary additionally break up from his former coach Goran Ivanisevic in March, and performed the remainder of the season with out a full-time coach.
“I stay up for beginning the season with Andy and having him by my aspect in Melbourne, the place we have shared many distinctive moments all through our careers,” Djokovic added.
Followers and gamers shocked by the information
Followers and gamers have expressed their pleasure for the surprising pairing on varied social media platforms.
“I’m so pumped I am unable to put it into phrases,” one consumer wrote on Instagram.
“Already picturing him in Novak’s field. That is going to be epic!” one other stated.
Victoria Azarenka wrote “fairly cool” on X, whereas Canadian participant Felix Auger-Aliassime stated “so the ATP tour actually is a film”.
When is the Australian Open 2025?
The 2 week event will start on Sunday, January 12, and closes with the boys’s remaining on Sunday, January 26.
ABC Sport digital will probably be stay running a blog each minute of the motion from Melbourne Park.
