Andy Murray Says Being in Novak Djokovic’s Coaching Team Was “A Bit More Stressful”

Andy Murray retired from professional tennis at the Paris Olympics after losing in the doubles category alongside his partner Dan Evans.

Andy Murray Says Being in Novak Djokovic’s Coaching Team Was “A Bit More Stressful”

Andy Murray, Novak Djokovic (Image via X/Tie Break Ten)

Andy Murray and Novak Djokovic’s coaching partnership ended just before the start of the French Open. The collaboration lasted for just six months and ended in mutual agreement. The 38-year-old has opened up about how it was difficult to interact with Djokovic’s team.

The partnership between Djokovic and Murray was one of the most famous in recent history, mainly because both players had been rivals on the court for a long time. Also, Murray had just retired from tennis a few months before becoming the coach, after having represented his country at the Paris Olympics. And, the partnership started off well.

Djokovic reached the semi-finals of the Australian Open, but was forced to retire due to injury. After that, he had two consecutive opening-round matches in Qatar and Indian Wells. However, in Miami, the Serbian legend had an exciting run, reaching the final before his loss to Jakub Mensik.

Unfortunately, Djokovic then suffered two consecutive opening-round losses at the Monte Carlo Masters and Madrid Open. That led to both former rivals mutually parting ways. In an interview with GQ, Murray was asked what it was like working with Djokovic, and the British legend revealed that it was a bit stressful due to the Serb’s entourage being from different cultural backgrounds:

He’s got a team of people from different cultures and backgrounds – Serbian, Austrian, Spanish – so it was a different way of working. Learning to communicate well with everybody and how to deliver your message; how you speak to [Novak], trying to understand what makes him tick, what motivates him. As the lead coach, when something goes wrong, it essentially falls on you.

Murray added that it was hard to coordinate things in Djokovic’s team and also that it was a lot of work for him, which made it a bit stressful:

You are having to coordinate everything – arranging the practice courts, making sure the rackets are ready – so it’s a bit more stressful throughout the day to make sure that things go smoothly. It was interesting, but definitely lots for me to work on.

Three weeks after Djokovic and Murray split, the former claimed his 100th career title, becoming the third man to reach the milestone in the history of men’s tennis. Also, he reached the semi-finals of the Roland Garros, before losing to Jannik Sinner in straight sets. But he showed his resilience against Alexander Zverev in the quarter-finals, coming from behind to beat the German in four sets.

Andy Murray opens up about life after retirement

Andy Murray is regarded as one of the greatest players to come from Britain. The 38-year-old spent time as World No.1, won three Grand Slams, including becoming the first British man to win the Wimbledon Championship in 77 years. With his style of play and determination, he captured the hearts of the British public.

Andy Murray
Andy Murray (Image via X/Wimbledon)

However, having retired, things are a little bit different for the 38-year-old, as he’s no longer in the spotlight like when he was a player. During the aforementioned interview, he was asked if he felt the need to be in the public eye after retirement:

I’m not thinking daily that I need to tweet something today, or somehow remain relevant. That’s why I’m much more interested in the idea of coaching, because I feel like I’d actually really be helping someone. Whereas with punditry, it can be harmful.

Before the beginning of the Queen’s Club Championships, Murray was honored as a tennis icon with the Centre Court being renamed the Andy Murray Arena – a big tournament recognizing his legacy as the only men’s player to have won the Queen’s a record five times.

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