By Richard Pagliaro | @TennisNow | Thursday, March 6, 2025
Photo credits: William West/AFP/Getty
Coach Andy Murray has helped Novak Djokovic tap into his inner gold mine.
The pair plan to continue their partnership as Djokovic continues his quest for historic silverware.
Meeting the media at Indian Wells today, Djokovic said he felt his Australian Open semifinal run featured some of his best quality tennis since he captured the Olympic gold medal for Serbia at last summer’s Paris Olympics.
Grand Slam king Djokovic, who was forced to retire from the Australian Open semifinals after one set due to a torn left leg muscle, said the pair will continue to work together through Roland Garros and “hopefully” Wimbledon as well.
“I think we had a great tournament, great run in Australia. I like the way I played, to be honest,” Djokovic told the media in Indian Wells. “It was unfortunate to finish the tournament the way I did it, but it was an injury issue.
“But in terms of the game, I think I played, yeah, maybe the best tennis that I played in quite some time. Since the Olympics, actually. So I definitely attribute that to the work I had with Andy.”
Two-time Olympic gold-medal champion Murray took some time to think about their collaboration after Melbourne. Djokovic said Murray spoke to his family discussed how much time he can spend on Tour and the pair agreed to resume their partnership for the Sunshine Double at Indian Wells and Miami.
“So I was very glad when he decided to keep going, Indian Wells, Miami, and yeah, most of the clay court season,” Djokovic said. “We’re going to speak after Miami, obviously, but I think the plan is to go all the way till the end of Roland Garros, I think, and yeah, hopefully Wimbledon, as well.
“You know, I’m enjoying the relationship with Andy. I still feel like we are going through the process of getting to know each other on the court in a different way than we have known each other for 25 years. So it’s obviously a new role for him.
“You know, he’s also exploring it and trying to, you know, understand how he can excel in it. I’m trying to communicate as much as I can on the court, off the court, for us to be able to connect better.”
Djokovic is playing for his 100th career championship during the Sunshine Double and will set his sights on a record-extending 25th Grand Slam crown at Roland Garros.
In a wide-ranging interview with Sporting Misadventures with Chris Hoy, Murray shared why he agreed to coach his former rival.
“I consider [Novak] to be one of the best athletes of all time so to have the opportunity to help him to coach him is something I didn’t feel I could turn down because I might not get that chance [again],” Murray told Chris Hoy on his podcast. “Who knows how much longer he will be playing?”
