Andy Murray will coach Novak Djokovic at the Australian Open in a stunning development that was announced on Saturday afternoon.
Murray and Djokovic shared a brilliantly rivalry as tennis players before the former retired during the Paris 2024 Olympics in August.
The 37-year-old was expected by many to go into coach one day, but the immediacy of his career switch and who he is coaching has stunned the tennis world.
The pair will work together in the off-season and in the build-up to the Australian Open, which takes place January 12-26.
Djokovic announced the news via a light-hearted quoted post on X, formerly Twitter, about Murray’s retirement: ‘He never liked retirement anyway’.
The attached video announced Murray, who he lost to in two Slam finals but beat in four Australian showpieces, would coach him over the winter and through January’s Open in Melbourne.
Andy Murray and Novak Djokovic’s ‘one final chapter’
‘We played each other since we were boys, 25 years of pushing each other to our limits. We had some of the most epic battles in in our sport. They called us gamechangers, risk-takers, history-makers,’ Djokovic said.
‘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. Welcome aboard, coach Andy Murray.’
Murray, who beat Djokovic to win the US Open in 2012 and Wimbledon in 2013, says he wants to help the 24-time grand slam champion achieve his goals.
‘I’m going to be joining Novak’s team in the off-season, helping him to prepare for the Australian Open,’ he said.
‘I’m really excited for it and looking forward to spending time on the same side of the net as Novak for a change, helping him to achieve his goals.’
Djokovic, a week younger than his new coach, added: ‘I am excited to have one of my greatest rivals on the same side of the net, as my coach.
‘Looking forward to the start of the season and competing in Australia alongside Andy with whom I have shared many exceptional moments on the Australian soil.’
Djokovic looking to return to the top
Djokovic beat Murray in the 2011, 2013, 2015 and 2016 Australian Open finals as well as the French Open final in 2016.
It was after he unseated Djokovic at the top of the rankings in 2016 that Murray suffered the hip injury which ultimately derailed his career.
Since his retirement, Murray has been playing golf with the same dedication he pursued his tennis but will now return to his natural habitat.
Djokovic, who split with coach Goran Ivanisevic earlier this year, hopes that adding Murray to his team will help him get back to the top of the game after he went through a calendar year without winning a grand slam for the first time since 2017.
Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz have developed a stranglehold at the top of the men’s game and Djokovic, who has seen Murray, Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal all retire in recent years, is still hoping to move clear of the record 24 grand slams he shares with Margaret Court.
