Novak Djokovic isn't surprised Andy Murray reunited with coach Ivan Lendl and believes the growing number of ex-champion coaches adds another layer of intrigue to Grand Slam plotlines.
"I don't think it's a surprising decision from Andy (to work with Ivan Lendl again)," Djokovic told the media at Stoke Park after falling to David Goffin in The Boodles Tennis grass-court exhibition. "When Ivan was his coach before Andy won a couple of Grand Slams and an Olympic gold medal, some of the best results of his career so I think it was a logical move for him to take and they're a good team so it's going to be interesting."
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Hall of Famer Lendl made headlines saying he and Murray aim to "ruin" Djokovic's shot at the calendar year and Golden Slam.
"In tennis there is the career Grand Slam, there is four in a row, there is the calendar year Grand Slam and the Golden Slam. He [Djokovic] has a chance to do that this year," Lendl told the media at Queen's Club. "Obviously Andy and I would like to ruin those plans if we can."
Djokovic called Lendl's comments "flattering" and said rivalries between players and their coaches add interest to the game.
"It's flattering to hear Ivan's comments," Djokovic said. "Ivan is one of the legends of our sport and, of course, he's been a great rival with my coach Boris so it's interesting.
"Having all this rivalry, in the locker rooms and now in the coaching side, is pretty good for our sport. It attracts a lot of attention. I know there's been a lot of talks about a potential match-up between Andy and me with Ivan coming to his team but it's still very early. We've got to be respectful to everybody competing in Wimbledon, so we'll take it step-by-step."
Completing the career Grand Slam at Roland Garros brought Djokovic relief—and a place in history. He joined Don Budge and Rod Laver as just the third man in history to hold all four Grand Slam championships simultaneously. If Djokovic defends his Wimbledon title, the world No. 1 will be the second man, after Budge in 1938, to win five consecutive major crowns.
The reigning Wimbledon champion says he's hit the reset button to focus on grass-court season—and a run at the calendar Slam.
"There is a great sense of relief no doubt about it (on winning all four Grand Slams) but one thing we all learn in tennis is to reset a day or week later that's the kind of sport we're in," Djokovic said. "We don't have too much time to reflect on what we have achieved. Of course I'm very proud and very thrilled to be able to hold all four Grand Slam titles at the same time, it's a remarkable achievement for my team and I but we're moving on and it's back on grass starting from scratch now. It's great that behind the corner we have Wimbledon, back to back Grand Slams in less than a month and that will definitely make me focus and stay the journey."
Photo credit: The Boodles Tennis