Mats Wilander reveals how Novak Djokovic’s partnership with Andy Murray will help him at the Australian Open
Mats Wilander believes Andy Murray has a good knowledge about the new generation of players which will be an advantage for Novak Djokovic.
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Novak Djokovic, Andy Murray and Mats Wilander (via X/Sportal)
Novak Djokovic, a veteran of the sport and a force to reckon with on the court, is seeking to win his 25th Grand Slam at the Australian Open. The Serbian has partnered with Andy Murray to help him achieve the milestone that would further solidify his place in tennis history. This has led tennis legend Mats Wilander to reveal details about the partnership.
Indeed, Djokovic appointed Murray in November, after being without a coach for almost the entirety of the 2024 season. The Serbian had parted ways with his former long-term coach, Goran Ivanisevic, in March last year. However, Murray’s appointment as Djokovic’s coach comes after the British retired from tennis at the Paris Olympics.
Although Murray’s time on the professional court has come to an end, he brings invaluable insight into the current state of the sport. In an interview, Mats Wilander said that the 37-year-old’s experience with top-level players, both older generation and new, positions him perfectly to provide Djokovic with the needed tools to succeed at the Australian Open.
The one thing we mustn’t forget is that he’s also practised and played the guys that are the best today, Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz, Alexander Zverev and Daniil Medvedev and Stefanos Tsitsipas. He’s played and practised and hung out with these guys in locker rooms and he knows them in and out. And I think that’s where Novak most probably will get the most valuable information from Andy.
Mats Wilander said via Eurosport
Djokovic was without his new coach at the Brisbane International and there were signs of lack of motivation. He failed to get past the quarterfinal after losing to Reilly Opelka in straight sets. The 37-year-old won only two matches at the tournament and was the favorite to win the title which would have taken his career titles to 100.
Mats Wilander impressed by Novak Djokovic’s practice sessions with Andy Murray
Novak Djokovic and Andy Murray began training at the Rod Laver Arena on Monday (January 6). The latter kicked off his coaching career with the Serbian after being away with his family on vacation. Djokovic practiced with Carlos Alcaraz, winning 7-5 in the closed session; he then led Jack Draper 6-2, 1-3 in another session.
Mats Wilander, who is already in Melbourne revealed during the aforementioned conversation that Djokovic looked physically good in both practice sessions. The tennis legend added that the Serbian will be emotionally into the Australian Open.
I watched the match and Novak looked really good physically and I think emotionally he will be much more into it at the Australian Open. I think Andy Murray would tell him the exact same thing because he has gone through all those emotions playing smaller tournaments and then trying to get fired up for Wimbledon towards the end of his career and that’s much easier. I think Novak is in a good place.
Mats Wilander said
Last season, Djokovic failed to win a Grand Slam for the first time since 2017. He is seeking to redeem himself and revive his game this year. Perhaps, Murray will inspire him to do that when the Australian Open starts on January 12.
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Victor Okechukwu
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