By Chris Oddo | @TheFanChild | Friday January 10, 2025
Novak Djokovic and Andy Murray are the biggest storyline of the 2025 Australian Open. The pair that met four times in the final at the Australian Open hope to go there together this year, as 24-time major champion has the Scot riding shotgun as his coach this year in Melbourne.
On media day in Melbourne on Friday, Djokovic talked about what he perceives to be the greatest strengths of Murray.
Djokovic said that Murray is an inspiration for him, first and foremost.
“He really has inspired myself and a lot of people around the world,” Djokovic said. “I think that his unique perspective on my game is the fact that he has played me for 25 years. First time we faced each other was when we were 12 years old. He knows the evolution of my game, I guess the weaknesses and strengths of my game.
“I think his tennis IQ is very high. We all know that. He has done an incredible job, particularly after he got the surgery, his artificial hip, winning tournaments after that, playing on challenger level, someone that is a legend of the sport, just showing everyone what it means to be a champion in a real sense of that word.”
Djokovic also believes that the fact that Murray was only recently playing on tour and facing the sports’ top players makes him even more valuable.
“He also knows the game, the tennis game, of the biggest players in the world right now because he has just recently retired as a player,” the 37-year-old said. “He was practicing and also playing against all the best guys in the world up to recently. I guess he's up to speed with what's happening on the tour.”
The pair have spent what amounts to 12 days on the practice court thus far, so it’s still early days in this high profile pairing. But Djokovic likes the fact that Murray motivates him, and says that they are gradually opening up the lines of communication to one another.
“We are just still getting to know each other on the court. We spent eight days in the pre-season period and now last four days here in Melbourne,” he said, adding: “He gives me motivation, inspires me really to be spending time on the court. We communicate a lot. We talk about a lot of different things. He's trying to understand me on different levels, speaking to other team members that know me better. He's very meticulous. He's a very dedicated professional.”
It’s an exciting time for team Djokovic, as the Serbian legend bids for his record 25th major title and 11th in Australia. He’s also gunning for his 100th career title, and his 100th match win in Australia (he has 94, against just nine losses).
Djokovic says his new coach has effortlessly taken up his post.
“It comes natural to him,” said the Belgrade native. “His IQ generally and tennis IQ is very high. He observes and speaks when it is most important. I think he understands the moment when he needs to say something and what to say and what to ask.
“Now all cards are open on the table. That's what he demands. I am 100% supportive of that kind of communication method where you share everything because that's the best way for him to understand you and to actually help you in whatever way he can.”
Djokovic will face American wild card Nishesh Basavareddy in first-round action in Melbourne. The Australian Open begins on Sunday January 12.