By Chris Oddo | @TheFanChild | Friday January 10, 2025
Novak Djokovic and Andy Murray are the most important storyline of the 2025 Australian Open. The pair who met 4 instances within the last on the Australian Open hope to go their collectively this 12 months, as 24-time main champion has the Scot using shotgun as his coach this 12 months in Melbourne.
On media day in Melbourne on Friday, Djokovic talked about what he perceives to be the best strengths of Murray.
Djokovic stated that Murray is an inspiration for him, in the beginning. “He actually has impressed myself and lots of people all over the world,” Djokovic stated. “I believe that his distinctive perspective on my recreation is the truth that he has performed me for 25 years. First time we confronted one another was after we had been 12 years outdated. He is aware of the evolution of my recreation, I assume the weaknesses and strengths of my recreation.
“I believe his tennis IQ could be very excessive. Everyone knows that. He has performed an unbelievable job, significantly after he acquired the surgical procedure, his synthetic hip, profitable tournaments after that, enjoying on challenger degree, somebody that could be a legend of the game, simply exhibiting everybody what it means to be a champion in an actual sense of that phrase.”
Djokovic provides that the truth that Murray was solely lately enjoying on tour and dealing with the sports activities’ high gamers makes him much more precious.
“He additionally is aware of the sport, the tennis recreation, of the most important gamers on the earth proper now as a result of he has only recently retired as a participant,” the 37-year-old stated. “He was working towards and in addition enjoying towards all the very best guys on the earth as much as lately. I assume he is in control with what’s occurring on the tour.”
“I am now right here to sabotage his possibilities of profitable one other one” 😅Andy Murray on teaching Novak Djokovic after dropping 4 #AusOpen finals towards him 🏆 pic.twitter.com/hxCLxwdOtW
— Eurosport (@eurosport) January 9, 2025
The pair have spent what quantities to 12 days on the observe courtroom so far, so it’s nonetheless early days on this excessive profile pairing. However Djokovic likes the truth that Murray motivates him, and provides that they’re steadily opening up the strains of communication to 1 one other.
“We’re simply nonetheless attending to know one another on the courtroom. We spent eight days within the pre-season interval and now final 4 days right here in Melbourne,” he stated, including: “He provides me motivation, conjures up me actually to be spending time on the courtroom. We talk lots. We speak about a whole lot of various things. He is making an attempt to know me on completely different ranges, talking to different crew members that know me higher. He is very meticulous. He is a really devoted skilled.”
It’s an thrilling time for crew Djokovic, because the Serbian legend bids for his report twenty fifth main title and eleventh in Australia. He’s additionally gunning for his a centesimal profession title, and his a centesimal match win in Australia (he has 94).
Djokovic says his new coach has effortlessly taken up his publish.
“It comes pure to him,” he stated. “His IQ usually and tennis IQ could be very excessive. He observes and speaks when it’s most essential. I believe he understands the second when he must say one thing and what to say and what to ask.
“Now all playing cards are open on the desk. That is what he calls for. I’m 100% supportive of that type of communication methodology the place you share every little thing as a result of that is the easiest way for him to know you and to truly provide help to in no matter approach he can.”
Djokovic will face American wild card Nishesh Basavareddy in first-round motion in Melbourne. The Australian Open begins on Sunday January 12.
