Andy Murray Reveals What Was the ‘Biggest Surprise’ for Him While Coaching Novak Djokovic

Andy Murray coached Novak Djokovic for six months after joining his team last year. The partnership did not bring great results, however, as Djokovic reached the semifinals of the Australian Open (retired mid-match due to injury) and later lost the Miami Open final to Jakub Mensik. They split in mid-May.

It was the first coaching job for Murray following his retirement at the 2024 Paris Olympics. The move, obviously, was pretty shocking. Murray learned what it is like to work with a player while being a part of the Serb’s entourage.

And at the same time, quite a few things about his old foe surprised him. One of which was that Djokovic, despite being one of the greatest athletes of all time, had a lot of doubts about himself.

For me, it was just trying to get him to, you know, understand what makes him great? Like, why, like, when he’s playing his best tennis, what does that look like? What decisions is he making at certain times? And when you’re coming towards the end of your career, like more doubts creep in as well. You start to think a little bit more about decisions that you’re making, even someone as great as him.

Andy Murray said on Andy Roddick’s Served podcast at the Laver Cup

Djokovic held a 25-11 lead in the head-to-head record over the Scot, also defeating him in five Grand Slam finals. Murray beat Nole in the finals of the 2012 US Open and 2013 Wimbledon.

And that was probably the biggest surprise for me. This is a guy that I’ve looked at, and we would all agree is probably he’s mentally one of the toughest out there across all sports. But it’s just how like how many doubts he has about himself in his own game, before big matches and in training. And it’s like if I’d known that when I was playing against you, I would have felt a lot more confident going into these matches!

Andy Murray added

Djokovic was last seen in action in the first round of the US Open. He suffered a complete physical collapse due to a nagging health issue and lost to Mariano Navone in five sets.

Andy Murray was surprised by another thing about Novak Djokovic

Novak Djokovic is very much into improving his technique, even at this stage of his career, and this surprised Andy Murray. The three-time Grand Slam believes that Djokovic has perhaps the cleanest technique because of such dedication.

He was always wanting, like, feedback, particularly, like, very into technique, which surprised me, but then again you think, well, the guy has incredible technique, you know, he has amazing technique and unless you and it’s improved over the years a lot as well.

Andy Murray said on Andy Roddick’s Served podcast

Djokovic has so far featured in four Majors and three Masters 1000s, losing in the first round of three events. He, however, showed a glimpse of his former self at the Australian Open, reaching the final after stunning two-time defending champion Jannik Sinner in a five-set thrilling semifinal. But Carlos Alcaraz beat him in the final.

The 24-time Grand Slam champion will next be seen in action at the China Open, which he won six times (2009, 2010, 2012, 2013, 2014, and 2015), and holds a 29-0 win-loss record. He will be returning to Beijing for the first time since 2015.

But reigning champion Sinner won’t compete as he is still recovering from his knee injury. Alcaraz, who is in London for the Laver Cup, will also not play as he will be in Tokyo for the Japan Open.

Also read: Andre Agassi Says Jannik Sinner and Darren Cahill’s Coaching Partnership Will Eventually Reach Its ‘End Point’