Andy Murray has offered a candid assessment of his brief coaching spell with Novak Djokovic, admitting it was both glamorous and humbling, despite limited success on the court.
Speaking to Sky Sports, the former world number one initially joked that he “probably didn’t learn anything”, before quickly clarifying that the experience was in fact deeply educational. Murray explained that stepping into the coaching role gave him a new perspective on the day-to-day routines and demands of an elite player, especially a player operating at Djokovic’s level.
“It was interesting to see what his day-to-day life looked like compared to maybe what I was doing and how different those things were. That was really insightful,” Murray said. He added that coaching requires a change in mindset, particularly in how messages are communicated and how players are listened to, which he believes has been shaped by his own experiences off the field.
Learning curve despite semi-final ceiling
Murray’s stint began around the Australian Openbut the partnership ultimately fell short of winning the title. Djokovic has reached the semifinals at several majors, including the Australian Open, Roland Garros and Wimbledon, but has failed to turn those deep runs into trophies. He also left the US Open at the same stage.
Losses to top opponents such as Jannik Sinner, Carlos Alcaraz and Alexander Zverev underlined the challenges Djokovic faced in regaining dominance, even as he won titles at smaller events such as the Geneva Open and Athens Open.
Reflecting on the experience, Murray acknowledged that working alongside one of the sport’s greatest players also exposed his own areas of improvement. “You’re thrown in at the deep end to work with someone as great as he is, so it exposes areas that you probably need to improve on if you want to become a great coach,” he said.
The the partnership eventually ended after the Serb’s poor performance at the French Open last year.
The injury concerns the build-up of Djokovic’s cloud
Djokovic’s season was also disrupted by fitness problemswith the 24-time Grand Slam champion overcoming a shoulder problem that has forced him to miss key tournaments. He recently confirmed that he will miss the Madrid Open as he continues his recovery.
The Serb has previously pulled out of events in Miami and Monte Carlo, raising concerns about his preparation ahead of Roland Garros, which starts in late May. Despite the setbacks, Djokovic remains optimistic about returning to top form in time for the clay-court majors, where he will seek a record 25th Grand Slam title.
Murray, for his part, remains confident of Djokovic’s endurance. “Seeing the level he’s still capable of, does he have another big win in him? I think so,” he said, backing his former rival to add another chapter to an already storied career.
– The end
Issued by:
Amar Panicker
Published on:
22 Apr 2026 14:54 IST
