By Richard Pagliaro | @Tennis_now | Thursday, June 19, 2025
Photo Credit: David Gray/AFP/Getty
drill Novak Djokovic It was an opportunity once in a lifetime, says Andy Murray.
In retrospect, Murray is not sure it was nice.
Reflecting in his short stay as Grand Slam King coach, Murray said he was not sure it was fun.
“We had a phone conversation and he asked me if I would consider his exercise, which I didn’t expect,” Murray said in comments published by Times from his interview on the central scene. “I think it was a very unique option. I was really enjoying being home, but I thought I should give and see if I enjoyed it.
“I’m not sure if I did.”
The duo announced their split last month, ending a partnership that lasted less than six months.
“Thank you, coach Andy, for all the hard work, entertainment and support during the last six months in and outside the court,” Djokovic said. “I really liked the deepening of our friendship together.”
Thank you, coach Andy, for all the hard work, entertainment and support during the last six months in and outside the court. I really liked the deepening of our friendship together pic.twitter.com/ixqkdin2gb
– Novak Djokovic (@djokernole) May 13, 2025
Working with the twice Olympic Golden Medal Champion, Murray, reigning the Gold Medal Champion Djokovic posted a 12-7 record, reached the Australian semifinal Open, where he withdrew with a torn muscle against Alexander Zverev, but fell into his search for a title.
Murray, who was born a week away from Gjokovic, said from the beginning that he wanted the 37-year-old Serbian superstar openly in court-and he waited to feel stress in the training box. The man nicknamed Muzzah does not want to fascinate Djokovic’s emotional intensity.
“Of course I wait when the matches start is stressful,” Murray said the day before Melbourne’s start. “When you are trying to achieve great things is not easy.
“But the rewards at the end of it can be great and that is something I barely expect (for it).”
Working with Murray, Gjokovic reached the final of Miami Open, where he had a blow to his 100th career championship but lost to 19-year-old Jakub Menis. In general, Gjokovic posted a 25-11 record against his rival and former coach Murray.
Asked about the competition in the shade of the Big 3 rivals Rafa Nadal, Roger Federer and Gjokovic, Murray said “I would never pretend to be on the same level as they are.”
“It’s not important. It’s not something I lose sleep at night,” Murray said. “I am fully aware that those guys reached are much bigger than everything I have done.
“I would never pretend that I would be on the same level as them.”