“We agreed most likely…,” Novak Djokovic reveals major details about extension of partnership with coach Andy Murray

Novak Djokovic hired his long-time rival Andy Murray last year after the Scot called time on his career at the Paris Olympics. 

“We agreed most likely…,” Novak Djokovic reveals major details about extension of partnership with coach Andy Murray

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

Novak Djokovic worked with Andy Murray at the 2025 Australian Open on a trial basis. Before Djokovic’s Qatar Open, reports emerged that they had extended their partnership till this year’s Wimbledon. 

Under Murray, Djokovic reached the semifinal of the Australian Open but his hamstring injury forced him to retire after the first set he lost to Alexander Zverev. Ahead of his Qatar Open singles, he finally confirmed that he will be working with Murray for an indefinite period but whether they will extend their partnership till Wimbledon is uncertain. 

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I expressed my desire to continue the collaboration with him so I am really glad he did accept. It’s indefinite in terms of how long we are going to work together but we agreed we are going to work most likely in the [United] States and then some clay-court tournaments and see how it goes after that.

Novak Djokovic told ATP Tour’s in-house media channel before match against Matteo Berrettini

Murray, 37, retired at the Paris Olympics last year due to his persistent struggles with injuries. It was in November that Djokovic announced that he had hired the Scot as his coach. Murray didn’t fly to Doha to coach his long-time playing rival for the ATP 500 event. 

Novak Djokovic outplayed by Matteo Berrettini

Novak Djokovic was hoping to clinch his 100th ATP title at the Qatar Open but was no match for Matteo Berrettini. The first set went to a tie-break but Djokovic didn’t show enough fight to claim the second set, winning just two games and eventually losing the match with scores of 7-6(7-4),6-2. 

Novak Djokovic, Matteo Berrettini
Novak Djokovic, Matteo Berrettini (Images via ATP/X)

I didn’t have any pain or discomfort in that sense. I was outplayed by just a better player today. 

Novak Djokovic said at the post-match press conference 

Berrettini, who won the ATP Comeback Player of the Year in 2024 after he took home three titles following his return from injury, will be locking horns with Tallon Griekspoor in the next round of Doha Open. Had Djokovic won the match and gone all the way to the semifinal, he could have scheduled a blockbuster semifinal clash with Carlos Alcaraz. 

Djokovic is yet to have a successful run this season. He lost to Reilly Opelka in the quarterfinal of the Brisbane International, following which, the muscle tear ended his Australian Open campaign. 

He is still searching for his first ATP title since winning the 2023 ATP Finals. The last time he won an official tournament was the 2024 Paris Olympics where he beat current World No.3 Alcaraz in straight sets.

Djokovic is also participating in doubles in Doha. He and partner Fernando Verdasco beat Karen Khachanov and Alexander Bublik to schedule a second-round clash with second seed Henry Patten and Harri Heliovaara.