The Secret Behind Novak Djokovic’s Victory

The Secret Behind Novak Djokovic’s Victory

Although still adjusting to seeing Andy Murray on his side, Novak Djokovic expressed satisfaction with the support from his close friend, especially as Murray helped him secure a victory in his Australian Open 2024 opener.

“We’ve played countless finals against each other, so it feels a bit strange to have Andy on my side,” Djokovic said after his match on January 13. “We’ve had many discussions, from how he observes tennis to his thoughts on my gameplay. I’ve tried to ask Andy a lot of questions about my form, and he’s particularly interested in how I feel during matches.”

A Promising Start with Murray’s Guidance

Djokovic began the tournament with a 4-6, 6-3, 6-4, 6-2 victory over young talent Nishesh Basavareddy. This was the first official match with Murray acting as Djokovic’s coach.

Last November, Djokovic invited Murray to take on the coaching role, seeking fresh perspectives to maintain his peak performance. After weeks of collaboration, the holder of 24 Grand Slam titles and 10 Australian Open trophies has been impressed by the energy Murray brings:
“Andy always tries to bring positive energy to me on the court. That’s what I need – a new source of motivation.”

Timely Support During the Match

Murray’s assistance proved vital when Djokovic lost the first set against Basavareddy. Throughout the match, fans noticed Djokovic frequently walking over to consult with Murray.

Although Djokovic didn’t disclose the full details, he gave some insight into their conversations:
“I asked him what he thought about the situation, how my shots were going. Andy gave me feedback, advice, and personal insights. That was very important for me.”

Djokovic emphasized that he doesn’t need to explain much to Murray and appreciates the encouragement from his friend:
“I saw Andy jump up a few times; he wanted to instill a fighting spirit in me. I truly felt and enjoyed that. It’s an honor to have Andy here. He’s a tennis legend. Andy understands what you go through on the court – the ups and downs, not just tactically but also how to handle the pressure.”

Next Opponent

In the second round, Djokovic will face Jaime Faria, a 21-year-old ranked 125th in the world. Faria advanced through three qualifying matches to reach the Grand Slam main draw for the first time in his career. In the first round, Faria defeated Pavel Kotov in straight sets with a score of 6-1, 6-1, 7-5.