Australian Open: Djokovic’s entry with new coach Andy Murray turns heads

The sight of Novak Djokovic hitting at the practice courts of Margaret Court Arena, with a certain Andy Murray as coach, was the ideal kickstarter to the build-up for the Australian Open, which gets underway on Monday, 13 January.

The 37-year-old Serbian, the last man standing from the Big Four of men’s tennis, will be eyeing a record-extending 11^th title in Melbourne with some help from his rival-turned-coach.

Djoko and Murray’s head-to-head record shows that in 36 of their clashes on the ATP Tour, the former has won 25 times.

“It’s actually great to be on the same side of the net for a change,” Djokovic reflected on his new collaboration soon after winning a 7–5 set in practice against Carlos Alcaraz.

Murray, another former World No.1 who signed off from competitive tennis after Paris Olympics, was providing inputs to Djokovic.

The owner of 24 slams, who parted ways with his longtime coach Goran Ivanisevic, announced in November 2024 that he would team up with the Scot at the Australian Open in search for a new direction to his game.

“The last 10 days we have spent together have been phenomenal,” Djoko said, before adding: “I’m grateful that he agreed to work with me here in Australia. His meticulous nature and professional approach are evident and I believe he brings a unique perspective to my game as one of my fiercest rivals.”

From the Becker and Agassi of his past... to a peer

Incidentally, in recent times, Djokovic has experimented with past legends as champion coaches by his side before — be it Boris Becker or Andre Agassi.

However, this new peer-to-peer partnership is a rare example of two former World No. 1s, born just a few months apart in 1987, collaborating as player and coach.

“I truly look forward to his collaboration. His insights provide a unique benefit not just one court, but also fostering the champions’ mentality that we both share,” he said.

Djokovic made his first appearance of the season last week in Brisbane, where he fell in the quarter-finals to Reilly Opelka.

Come Thursday afternoon (local time), 9 January, he will find out in the draw who he faces in the first round in Melbourne.