Rafael Nadal admits he was ‘surprised’ after Andy Murray became Novak Djokovic’s coach few months after retirement

Novak Djokovic added Andy Murray to his team about four months after the Scot hung up his racket at the Paris Olympics.

Rafael Nadal admits he was ‘surprised’ after Andy Murray became Novak Djokovic’s coach few months after retirement

Andy Murray, Rafael Nadal, Novak Djokovic (Image via X/Danny, Tennis Masterr)

Andy Murray joining Novak Djokovic‘s team last year came as a huge surprise for the entire tennis world, as probably no one had anticipated the two longtime rivals joining hands just a few months after the Scot’s retirement. Murray hung up his racket at the Paris Olympics and Djokovic announced his partnership in November.

The partnership surprised Rafael Nadal as well. The announcement came just a few days after the 22-time Grand Slam champion bade farewell to tennis. He played his last official match in the Davis Cup qualifier tie against the Netherlands, losing in straight sets to Botic van de Zandschulp. Spain lost the tie 2-1 on November 19, while Djokovic revealed to the tennis world about the new addition to his team on November 23.

It surprised me a bit that, immediately after retiring, Andy wanted to start a project again where he’d be traveling. But I understand that the project to be with Novak is an attractive one, and one he would be passionate about. Also, I understand for Novak to be with one of his rivals, one of his biggest rivals, as his coach must give him a motivation.

Rafael Nadal told The Telegraph

Nadal had played 24 matches against the three-time Grand Slam champion, winning 17 of them. But against Djokovic, he was 29-31. Although Nadal last played against Murray back in 2016, against Nole, the last match was in the second round of the Paris Olympics, which Djokovic won before reaching the final and beating Carlos Alcaraz to take home his first Olympic gold medal.

Novak Djokovic admits he may have lost some motivation after the retirement of Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer

Novak Djokovic is the only member of the legendary Big 3 who has yet to hang up his racket. Roger Federer was the first one to call time on his career (he did at the 2022 Laver Cup); then Nadal did in 2024. The 24-time Grand Slam champion too has reached the twilight of his career and is struggling to win titles as well as matches.

Novak Djokovic Monte Carlo Masters 2025
Novak Djokovic (via X/We Love Tennis)

Has he lost the motivation? Djokovic thinks he may have lost some, but had he lost it completely, he would have retired already.

I still feel the desire to play, the passion to compete is always there. I hope to push harder. The Grand Slams are tournaments where I have more motivation to do well.

Novak Djokovic told Eurosport Spain

Djokovic is in Madrid where he attended the Laureus Sports Award ahead of the second Masters 1000 event in the Spanish capital. The Serb, who won the Sportsman of the Year award last year, handed this year’s award to pole vaulter Mondo Duplantis. Nadal was honored with the Sporting Icon of the Year award.

Novak Djokovic is gearing up to make his first appearance at the Madrid Open in three years

Djokovic last played the Madrid Open in 2022 where he reached the semifinal only to lose the thrilling match to Carlos Alcaraz. This year, he will be locking horns with Matteo Arnaldi or Borna Coric to kick-start his campaign.

Novak Djokovic
Novak Djokovic (Image via Univers Tennis)

The three-time Madrid Open winner is projected to meet 2025 Indian Wells champion Jack Draper in the quarterfinals, Alcaraz in the semifinals, and Alexander Zverev in the final. He is still searching for his 100th title, last winning a tour-level title at the Paris Olympics. Since then, he reached two finals: at the 2024 Shanghai Masters (lost to World No.1 Jannik Sinner) and this year’s Miami Open where Jakub Mensik denied him the title by lifting career’s first ATP trophy.