Novak Djokovic makes ‘surreal’ admission about ‘great rival’ Andy Murray becoming his coach

Novak Djokovic is searching for his first tour-level title since the 2023 ATP Finals and will face Sebastian Korda next at Miami Open.

Novak Djokovic makes ‘surreal’ admission about ‘great rival’ Andy Murray becoming his coach

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

Resurgent Novak Djokovic continues his hunt for his 100th ATP title at the Miami Open. The Serb has breezed into the quarterfinals following a comprehensive 6-2, 6-2 win over 15th seed Lorenzo Musetti. Djokovic later talked about his partnership with coach Andy Murray, who joined his entourage in November last year.

The announcement took the tennis world by surprise as no one probably had foreseen Murray becoming Nole’s coach about three months after the former’s retirement. Djokovic had played Murray in junior events and in ATP matches, he locked horns with the Scot 36 times and holds a 25-11 head-to-head record.

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We don’t know each other that well as people. We have known each other a long time since our junior days, but when you are rivals, you don’t interact as much. Today, as we waited for the matches to start after the rain delay, we had a chance to sit down together and we had a very interesting talk.

Novak Djokovic told Sky Sports

Murray hung up his racket at the 2024 Paris Olympics. Djokovic was without a coach as he had ended his partnership with Goran Ivanisevic in March of the same year. It was Nole who approached Murray for the coaching role.

It is still kind of surreal that one of my great rivals is my coach. Fist pumping and jumping around my box. Sometimes I pinch myself and ask if this is real. We are trying to get the best out of this as a player and coach and we are also trying to spend time together.

Novak Djokovic added

Djokovic recently posted an Instagram story of him playing the game of Ludo with Murray and wrote, “Intense match preparations” as a caption. Both of them have not yet confirmed that for how long they will work together.

Novak Djokovic comments on presence of Juan Martin del Potro and Serena Williams during his match

Novak Djokovic‘s former rival Juan Martin del Potro and the Miami Open‘s most successful player Serena Williams watched the 37-year-old get past Lorenzo Musetti in an hour and 23 minutes. After the win, Djokovic said that he was star-struck upon seeing these two former players watching his match.

Novak Djokovic (5)
Novak Djokovic (Image via X/CGTN Sports Scene)

It was an honor to have Serena courtside. It may be only the first or second time she has watched me live so maybe I was a bit nervous. I also had Del Potro in the box, so I had to perform in front of them. I think I did well.

Novak Djokovic told Sky Sports

Djokovic also revealed he had asked Williams about a backhand he hit toward the end of the second set. Williams called time on her career at the 2022 US Open after lifting 23 Grand Slam singles titles.

Del Potro, after years of struggles due to his knee injury, played an exhibition match last year with Djokovic and bade an emotional farewell to tennis. In official events, Djokovic had met the Argentine 20 times and came out on top in 16 of those matches.

Novak Djokovic bidding to become seven-time Miami Open champion

Novak Djokovic is currently tied with Andre Agassi with six titles at the Miami Open. The 40-time Masters 1000 winner won his first title at Miami Gardens in 2007.

Novak Djokovic (3)
Novak Djokovic (Image via We Are Tennis)

Djokovic went on to take home the Masters 1000 trophy in 2011 and 2012. The 24-time Grand Slam champion then completed a three-peat in the tournament from 2014 to 2016. He has been playing in the ongoing tournament for the first time since 2019.

Djokovic’s quarterfinals opponent is Sebastian Korda against whom, he is 1-0 in the head-to-head meetings. The home favorite, before setting up the clash with Djokovic, beat Gael Monfils in three sets.