It was the partnership that shocked tennis.
Simply months after Andy Murray delivered to an finish a enjoying profession wherein he was a long-time rival of Novak Djokovic, he was appointed because the Serb’s coach for the Australian Open.
However with Djokovic now knocked out in Melbourne – retiring with a leg damage whereas a set right down to Alexander Zverev within the semi-finals – it stays to be seen whether or not that alliance continues.
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Djokovic and Murray rejoice the quarter-final win over Carlos Alcaraz in Melbourne
Djokovic was non-committal after his defeat, saying each males would wish to “cool off”.
“We each had been dissatisfied with what simply occurred, so we did not discuss in regards to the future steps,” he instructed reporters.
“I will undoubtedly have a chat with Andy and thank him for being right here with me, give him my suggestions, which is, in fact, optimistic. I will see how he feels and we make the following step.”
Murray stated: “Novak and I agreed we’d communicate after the match – and we are going to try this.”
Will Murray proceed teaching Djokovic?
Murray on teaching: ‘There’s much more that that you must assist with when it comes to communication across the workforce. You are not simply eager about your self like you’re if you’re a participant’
Murray is decided to enhance as a coach after his first Grand Slam expertise with Djokovic.
Whether or not the pair will proceed to work collectively stays to be seen however the expertise seems to have whetted the Scot’s urge for food.
“I at all times knew that I’d take pleasure in teaching,” he stated. “I by no means thought in any other case, however there’s issues that I’ve realized about teaching that was perhaps a bit totally different than what I anticipated.
“There is definitely areas of teaching that I might want to get higher at transferring forwards and be taught a bit extra about – for instance, the technical facet of the sport.
“As a participant, I’d perceive the fundamentals, however not extraordinarily nicely like some very skilled coaches. A number of the guys that I’ve labored with over time have been very sturdy in that space.
“I feel the ex-players usually could be fairly good with technique and understanding the psychology and stuff having performed. However clearly there’s a lot of different areas to teaching as nicely that I have to find out about.”
What has Murray delivered to Djokovic’s sport?
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With the Murray-Djokovic partnership so new, it’s exhausting to quantify precisely what influence the Brit has had, however a fast look on the stats suggests Djokovic was extra aggressive in Melbourne than he was in his 4 Grand Slam appearances in 2024.
The 37-year-old is hitting extra aces per match on common. That, mixed together with his first serve proportion dipping barely, hints at a extra attacking mindset.
Djokovic additionally original, and transformed, extra break factors on common on the Australian Open.
Andy Murray: ‘At occasions it feels just a little bit embarrassing how individuals discuss when there is a good end result that it is as a result of I’ve helped Novak’
It was notable in his four-set win over Carlos Alcaraz within the quarter-finals that he was enjoying extra lights-out tennis and serve and volleying extra, though that could be attributed to a leg damage he sustained forcing him right into a change of tactic.
“It is undoubtedly tougher enjoying, that is for certain,” stated Murray. “I’d dispute folks that say that it is tougher watching from the facet.
“I understand how annoying it may be on the market enjoying the matches. I felt a number of nerves and stuff within the build-up to the matches, however after I was watching it I felt like I used to be in a position to type of change that off and I felt calm on the facet and was watching attempting to do my job.
“Clearly, like on the finish of the match with Alcaraz or vital moments, you’re feeling the nerves and issues, however to not the identical extent as if you’re enjoying.”
What has Djokovic stated about Murray’s efforts as a coach?
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A have a look at each Masters closing on the ATP Tour between Murray and Djokovic
Djokovic has been glowing in his appraisal of Murray’s efforts, and the 37-year-old added: “There are specific issues that I’ve actually loved about it.
“I’ve loved the evaluation. I loved the matches and sitting on the facet and attempting to grasp a bit higher what is going on on, and seeing perhaps how you might assist a bit from the facet.
“Making ready for the matches and people issues may be very fascinating to me. I like that facet of issues. So it has been some issues that I’ve loved and felt like I’ve completed nicely, and different components that I have to work on and doubtless wasn’t so good at.”
And what about Murray’s expertise?
Murray has expertise of enjoying most of Djokovic’s opponents after solely not too long ago retiring
Murray stated: “It is a steep studying curve for me. There’s a number of issues you realize as a participant which might be totally different if you’re teaching.
“There’s much more that that you must assist with when it comes to communication across the workforce. You are not simply eager about your self like you’re if you’re a participant.
“I’ve definitely realized rather a lot however there’s much more nonetheless for me to be taught, that is for certain.
“I am absolutely conscious that the workforce that’s with him has completed an unimaginable job over many, a few years to permit him to nonetheless be competing at this degree on the age that he is at.
“They’ve all been actually, actually useful to me, actually welcomed me into the workforce. It has been nice to be part of.
“I obtained to witness some wonderful tennis, and among the best matches that I’ve seen dwell in opposition to Alcaraz.
“At occasions it feels just a little bit embarrassing due to my relationship with Novak, how a lot individuals speak about that or when there is a good end result that it is as a result of I’ve helped him.”
If not Djokovic, then the place subsequent?
Talking final November, Overend felt Murray would take pleasure in working with up-and-coming gamers, particularly the Brits, if he had been to proceed with a training profession.
Maybe his fellow Scot Jacob Fearnley – whose meteoric rise included a run to the third spherical in Melbourne following wins over Nick Kyrgios and Arthur Cazaux – will give him a name?
Emma Raducanu can also be looking out for a brand new coach after parting with Nick Cavaday because of the latter’s well being points.
Murray was denied a Wimbledon swansong when Emma Raducanu pulled out of the combined doubles
There doesn’t seem any lingering animosity from Murray to Raducanu after she pulled out of Wimbledon’s combined doubles final 12 months to give attention to the singles, denying Murray a swansong at a venue the place he gained two Grand Slams and an Olympic gold medal.
Raducanu stated: “I despatched him a protracted message, mainly apologising if I induced any hassle as that is undoubtedly the very last thing I need.
“He is somebody that I’ve grown up wanting as much as and I do not need any dangerous blood or harsh emotions with him. He took it rather well and responded saying he was dissatisfied however he understood.”
They had been unable to affix forces final summer season, then, so how about now in a player-coach capability? It could appear unlikely however so did Murray teaching Djokovic. Watch this house…
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