Former British No.1 ‘Surprised’ After Novak Djokovic Continued Working with Andy Murray After Australian Open

Novak Djokovic, who is being coached by his longtime rival Andy Murray, is expected to work with the Scot at least till Wimbledon.

Former British No.1 ‘Surprised’ After Novak Djokovic Continued Working with Andy Murray After Australian Open

Andy Murray and Novak Djokovic (Image via ATP/X)

Novak Djokovic added Andy Murray to his coaching team last year in November after the Scot called time on his career at the Paris Olympics. Former British No.1 Andrew Castle, like almost the entire tennis community, found it surprising when Nole made the announcement.

Castle thought Djokovic wouldn’t be extending the partnership after this year’s Australian Open. In Melbourne, Djokovic progressed to the semifinal after moving past Carlos Alcaraz. But he suffered from an injury and was forced to give a walkover to Alexander Zverev. Later, reports emerged that Djokovic had extended his coaching partnership with Murray.

I was quite surprised that [Murray as Djokovic’s coach] continued after Australia. I was very surprised that he hired him in the first place. But it’s a meeting of minds and a meeting between two men who have faced each other in some of their most important matches. I was surprised when I saw that it was a move from both of them.

Andrew Castle told Globusbet

Djokovic could work with the three-time Grand Slam champion at least till Wimbledon. Since adding Murray to his team, Djokovic, apart from reaching the Australian Open semifinals, progressed to his first final of the season at the Miami Open. It was also his first final since the Shanghai Masters last year.

Djokovic was expected to claim his 100th ATP title but the tournament didn’t end in his favor. Jakub Mensik defeated him in straight sets to take home his career’s first trophy.

This season, the 24-time Grand Slam champion registered three consecutive defeats twice. After his Australian Open exit, Djokovic lost his opening-round matches of the Qatar Open and Indian Wells. After the Miami Open, Alejandro Tabilo and Matteo Arnaldi knocked him out of the Monte Carlo Masters and the Madrid Open respectively.

Paul Annacone questions Novak Djokovic’s decision to withdraw from the Italian Open

After his Madrid Open exit, Novak Djokovic withdrew from the Italian Open and this came as surprising news as for the first time since 2007, he missed the tournament in the Italian capital. Roger Federer‘s former coach Paul Annacone wants the Serb to sign up for a tournament to get some match practice ahead of the French Open.

Novak Djokovic
Novak Djokovic (via X/The Tennis Letter)

You just can’t count great players out. You do it at your own peril. For Novak he knows himself so well, I am sure he has thought long and hard about it. I don’t think it’s a disaster if he doesn’t play next week, I just think it would be more logical to get another few matches in.

Paul Annacone said on Tennis Channel’s Inside-In Podcast

As per reports, Djokovic will play a tournament before the Roland Garros. Djokovic has accepted the wild card for the ATP 250 Geneva Open, which is set to start on May 18. Last year as well Djokovic participated in the tournament and reached the semifinals but Tomas Machac knocked him out of the semifinals.

If Djokovic claims another title, he will become the third man in the history of tennis to take home 100 or more singles titles after Jimmy Connors and Roger Federer. Djokovic last lifted a title at the Paris Olympics last year by beating Carlos Alcaraz. It was also his first and only title last year.

Djokovic last lifted a Grand Slam title at the US Open in 2023. That year, he fell short of the Calendar Grand Slam due to his defeat to Alcaraz in the Wimbledon final. Since that victory at Flushing Meadows, the 37-year-old reached just one Grand Slam final: at the 2024 Wimbledon, losing the match to Alcaraz in straight sets.

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