By Richard Pagliaro | @Tennis_Now | Thursday, June 19, 2025
Photo credit: David Gray/AFP/Getty
Coaching Novak Djokovic was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, says Andy Murray.
In retrospect, Murray isn’t sure it was enjoyable.
Reflecting on his brief tenure as the Grand Slam king’s coach, Murray said he’s not sure it was fun.
“We had a chat on the phone and he asked me if I would consider coaching him, which I wasn’t expecting,” Murray said in comments published by The Times from his Centre Stage interview. “I think it was a pretty unique opportunity. I was really enjoying being at home, but I thought I should give it a go and see whether I enjoyed it.
“I’m not sure if I did.”
The pair announced their split last month, ending a partnership that lasted less than six months.
“Thank you, coach Andy, for all the hard work, fun & support over last six months on & off the court,” Djokovic said. “I really enjoyed deepening our friendship together.”
Thank you, coach Andy, for all the hard work, fun & support over last six months on & off the court. I really enjoyed deepening our friendship together 🙏 pic.twitter.com/iXqkdIN2Gb
— Novak Djokovic (@DjokerNole) May 13, 2025
Working with two-time Olympic gold-medal champion Murray, reigning gold-medal champion Djokovic posted a 12-7 record, reached the Australian Open semifinals where he retired with a torn leg muscle against Alexander Zverev, but fell short in his quest for a title.
Murray, who was born a week apart from Djokovic, said from the start he wanted the 37-year-old Serbian superstar to express himself openly on court—and he expected to feel stress in the coaching box. The man nicknamed Muzzah doesn’t want to muzzle Djokovic’s emotional intensity.
“Obviously I expect when the matches start it’s stressful,” Murray said days before the start of Melbourne. “When you’re trying to achieve great things it’s not easy.
“But the rewards at the end of it can be great and that’s something I’m looking forward (to).”
Working with Murray, Djokovic reached the Miami Open final where he had a shot for his 100th career championship but lost to 19-year-old Jakub Mensik. Overall, Djokovic posted a 25-11 record against his rival and ex-coach Murray.
Hall of Famer John McEnroe told the media last month when he first heard the current and former Olympic gold-medal champions were working together, he thought it was a joke.
“When it first happened, I laughed,” John McEnroe told the media on TNT’s Zoom call to promote the network’s Roland Garros coverage. “It was like you’ve gotta be kidding me.
“It’s like Lendl coaching me. It’s like come on or Connors [coaching me]—they’re rivals—but it was fun.”
Asked about competing in the shadow of Big 3 rivals Rafa Nadal, Roger Federer and Djokovic, Murray said “I would never claim to be on the same level as them.”
“It’s not important. It’s not something I lose any sleep over at night,” Murray said. “I’m fully aware that those guys achieved is far greater than anything I’ve done.
“I would never claim to be on the same level as them.”
