Murray’s Decision to Continue Coaching Djokovic Deemed ‘Great for Tennis’
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Murray’s Decision to Continue Coaching Djokovic Deemed ‘Great for Tennis’
Eurosport expert Laura Robson believes that Andy Murray’s decision to continue coaching Novak Djokovic is a significant and positive development for tennis. The three-time Grand Slam champion made headlines worldwide when he took on his first coaching role by teaming up with former rival Djokovic for the 2025 Australian Open. The Serbian star reached the semifinals in Melbourne before withdrawing due to a hamstring injury sustained in his quarterfinal victory over Carlos Alcaraz.
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Although Djokovic couldn’t secure his 25th Grand Slam title in Australia, Murray’s presence in his coaching box brought a fresh dynamic to the Serbian’s team. The former world No.1 from Scotland was constantly seen courtside, offering encouragement and celebrating key points during Djokovic’s matches.
Djokovic had high praise for Murray, and ahead of the Qatar Open, he confirmed that their coaching partnership would continue for the foreseeable future. This has led to speculation that Murray may accompany Djokovic at Roland Garros, or even Wimbledon.
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Djokovic Suffers Shock Defeat in Doha, but Murray Stays Onboard
However, Djokovic endured a disappointing week at the Qatar Open. In his first match since recovering from injury, the third seed suffered a straight-sets defeat (7-6, 6-2) to Matteo Berrettini—marking the Italian’s first win over a top-10 player since 2023. It was also one of Djokovic’s rare early exits in an ATP event.
This unexpected defeat has raised questions about whether Djokovic will enter another tournament before Indian Wells, which kicks off on March 5. At the moment, his name does not appear on the entry list for the Dubai Championship, leaving his upcoming schedule uncertain.
Despite the setback in Doha, Murray is expected to remain part of Djokovic’s team, a move that Eurosport expert Laura Robson has highly praised. According to her, Murray’s continued involvement could prove invaluable for Djokovic’s long-term plans.
Murray Balancing Coaching and Family Life
Robson, however, pointed out that a long-term coaching career could be challenging for Murray, given that he has four young children and a busy family life. She noted that Murray and Djokovic needed to have a serious discussion to determine a realistic and sustainable coaching schedule.
“It’s always tough when you’re addressing the media after a tough loss or retirement, and Novak was still processing what had happened in Doha,” Robson explained. “Then you have Andy – not just a multiple Grand Slam champion but also a father of four. He has a lot going on at home, and I think it took them a while to figure out how they could make this work together.”
Robson believes that Murray does not want to spend extended periods away from home, especially since he only recently retired from professional tennis. However, she also highlighted the positive aspect of Murray’s willingness to continue coaching Djokovic.
“The important thing is that Andy decided to continue. Watching him work with Novak in Australia, you could see how engaged he was. He genuinely wanted Novak to win and was deeply invested in every match. That’s why I think this is a fantastic storyline for tennis,” Robson said.
Should Djokovic Be Concerned About His Loss in Doha?
Robson dismissed the idea that Djokovic’s early exit in Doha should be a major concern. She emphasized that the most crucial factor was that he felt physically fit after recovering from his injury.
“The main takeaway here is that Novak is healthy again,” she noted. “The way he finished in Australia, it must have been mentally tough for him to reset. He played some of his best tennis against Alcaraz, and then just days later, things didn’t go his way.”
Robson believes that, given Djokovic’s experience and success, the loss to Berrettini won’t significantly impact his confidence.
“He has won so many titles and has been through countless highs and lows. I don’t think this loss will affect him too much. His primary goal for the season remains winning his 25th Grand Slam,” Robson emphasized.
She also pointed out that at Djokovic’s age, adjusting to maintain peak performance is more challenging. However, that doesn’t mean he is slowing down.
“I don’t think Novak will dwell too much on the Doha loss. He has said before that his main targets are the biggest tournaments and Grand Slams—not necessarily ATP 500 events in the Middle East,” Robson concluded.
Murray & Djokovic: A New Chapter in Tennis?
The decision for Andy Murray to continue working with Novak Djokovic could become one of the most intriguing narratives of the 2025 tennis season. The two legends battled each other for years, and now, they are embarking on an entirely new journey together.
Can Murray help Djokovic adapt to the final phase of his career? Will this partnership result in another Grand Slam triumph for Djokovic? The answers will soon unfold as the tennis season heads toward its most critical tournaments.
Can Murray Elevate Djokovic’s Game Even Further?
While Novak Djokovic is already regarded as one of the greatest tennis players of all time, the addition of Andy Murray to his coaching team presents a unique opportunity for strategic refinement. Unlike traditional coaches, Murray has firsthand experience competing against Djokovic at the highest level, having shared some of the sport’s most iconic battles with him. This deep understanding of Djokovic’s strengths and weaknesses could be a game-changer as the Serbian seeks to adapt his playing style in the later stages of his career.
Murray’s tactical mind and analytical approach could help Djokovic fine-tune aspects of his game that might need adjustment as the next generation of players—including Carlos Alcaraz, Jannik Sinner, and Holger Rune—continue to raise the bar. Given Murray’s ability to read opponents and his precise court positioning, his presence in Djokovic’s camp might offer fresh insights on how to approach younger, more aggressive players.
Moreover, Murray’s resilience and mental toughness, shaped by overcoming multiple career-threatening injuries, could serve as an additional source of motivation and inspiration for Djokovic. While Djokovic is already one of the mentally strongest players in history, having a former rival turned coach who understands the psychological demands of the game could be an invaluable asset, particularly in high-pressure moments.
As the 2025 season progresses, all eyes will be on whether Murray’s involvement can give Djokovic the extra edge he needs to secure his 25th Grand Slam title and continue rewriting the history books. If successful, this player-coach partnership could be remembered as one of the most intriguing and impactful collaborations in modern tennis.