Three reasons why Andy Murray’s appointment as Novak Djokovic’s coach could be a ‘masterstroke’
Andy Murray will be seen in the coaching staff of Novak Djokovic at the Australian Open after missing out at Brisbane.
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Novak Djokovic and Andy Murray (Image via X)
The tennis world is still buzzing about Andy Murray‘s appointment as Novak Djokovic‘s new coach. Murray, who retired from professional tennis during the Paris Olympics in August, has quickly transitioned into coaching. He is set to take up his coaching role soon.
This appointment is notable, as it comes so soon after Murray’s retirement. Djokovic has been without a coach since parting ways with Goran Ivanisevic in March. Meanwhile, Ivanisevic has taken up a new role as Elena Rybakina‘s coach.
Some view this appointment as a risky move. However, many believe it could bring great results. Here, we will explore three key reasons why Murray’s appointment as Djokovic’s coach might be a masterstroke.
1) A Short-Term Appointment
Imagine a recent university graduate dreaming of a top-tier job but lacking the skills and experience needed to secure it. To bridge this gap, they might take a 3–4 month internship to gain experience and build a foundation for their career.
This is similar to Andy Murray’s situation. The three-time Grand Slam champion has been rumored to consider coaching talented young players, such as Jack Draper. However, he has opted for a short-term approach by taking on the role of coach for his former rival, Novak Djokovic.
The experience Murray will gain from working in Djokovic’s camp will greatly benefit his coaching career. He can use this opportunity as a stepping stone for bigger roles in the future. If this short-term stint proves successful, it could even evolve into a long-term partnership with Djokovic.
For now, Murray is set to coach Djokovic until the end of the Australian Open. However, the Scottish legend will not be part of Djokovic’s camp at the Brisbane International, the lead-up event to the first Grand Slam of the year.
2) Improvement in Net Game
Novak Djokovic’s recent coaching partnerships have yielded mixed results. After his long-time coach, Marian Vajda, Djokovic’s first major appointment was eight-time Grand Slam champion Andre Agassi. Unfortunately, that collaboration proved to be a challenging one. Miscommunications and disagreements between the two led to Agassi parting ways with Djokovic in mid-2018.
In contrast, Djokovic thrived under the guidance of Goran Ivanisevic. During their partnership, the Serbian star won 12 of his 24 Grand Slam titles. Ivanisevic’s influence was particularly evident in Djokovic’s improved serve, which made him nearly unbeatable on grass, where he claimed four consecutive Wimbledon titles. Additionally, Djokovic dominated fast indoor courts, winning back-to-back ATP Finals in 2022 and 2023.
Now, with Andy Murray as his coach, Djokovic could work on an area that has traditionally been a weakness—his net game. The Serbian legend has not been known for his volleys or smashes, but this could improve under Murray’s mentorship, as the Scot excelled in these aspects during his playing career.
3) Finally, an Australian Open Title
There is an old saying: if you can’t beat them, join them. This seems to apply to Andy Murray when it comes to the Australian Open. The three-time Grand Slam champion has often been second best to Novak Djokovic at this tournament.
Between 2010 and 2016, Murray reached five Australian Open finals. However, he lost four of them to Djokovic, the 24-time Grand Slam champion. His other defeat came against Roger Federer in 2010.
Given his bad luck in the Australian Open finals, Murray might be more determined than ever to break his “curse” this time. And who better to learn from than Djokovic, a 10-time champion at Rod Laver Arena?
Meanwhile, Djokovic has his own goals. He aims to become the greatest Grand Slam champion in history. Currently, he is tied with Margaret Court, both holding 24 Grand Slam titles.
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Fahad Hamid
(625 Articles Published)