Novak Djokovic, the 24-time Grand Slam champion, has praised his new coach, Andy Murray, for bringing a “fresh look” to his game. The partnership marks an exciting chapter for Djokovic, who begins his 2025 season at the Brisbane International next week against Australia’s Rinky Hijikata.
Murray’s Influence on Djokovic
Murray, a three-time Grand Slam winner and long-time rival of Djokovic, retired from professional tennis in August 2024. Despite his absence from the Brisbane tournament, Murray will join Djokovic ahead of the Australian Open, which begins on 12 January.
Djokovic expressed enthusiasm for Murray’s role in his team:
“He has a unique perspective on my game as one of the greatest rivals I’ve had. He knows the pros and cons of my game.”
Djokovic added:
“He played on tour until recently, so he understands the strengths and weaknesses of the current top players. I think he’s bringing a fresh look to my game, and that champion mentality he has will complement me well.”
Short-Term Collaboration
The partnership, announced in November, will continue through the Australian Open, with decisions on a longer-term arrangement to be made afterward.
The Olympic gold medallist aims to win his 100th ATP singles title at Brisbane before chasing an unprecedented 11th Australian Open title. Victory in Melbourne would see Djokovic surpass Margaret Court’s all-time record of 24 Grand Slam titles.
Aiming for a Bounce-Back Season
Djokovic is looking to rebound from a rare slump in 2024, a season where he failed to win a Grand Slam for only the second time since 2010. Now ranked world number seven, Djokovic plans a more active schedule in 2025:
“I’m planning to play a few more tournaments than I did last season. Hopefully, the level will go up, and I can win more tournaments to improve my ranking.”
What’s Next for Djokovic?
As Djokovic embarks on a pivotal season, his collaboration with Murray could be the key to reclaiming dominance in the tennis world. With the Australian Open looming, all eyes are on whether this unique partnership will propel Djokovic to even greater heights.
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