Andy Murray competed against Novak Djokovic at the highest level for over a decade and will now aim to guide him to success – but Nicolas Mahut fears there could be tension between the pair
Andy Murray could be “targeted” by Novak Djokovic’s furious tirades after taking a coaching role with the Serb, ex-tennis star Nicolas Mahut has claimed.
Murray retired from tennis this summer after competing in the Olympic men’s doubles with Dan Evans and has now opted to try his hand at coaching.
He announced the surprise news he would link up with his former rival Djokovic and prepare for his first big task of helping him with the Australian Open in the New Year.
The three-time Grand Slam winner competed against Djokovic at the highest level for over a decade and famously beat him in the 2012 US Open final and 2013 Wimbledon final.
Now he will be in charge of guiding his career towards its latter stages but Mahut fears there could be conflict – after watching Djokovic get heated with former coach Goran Ivanisevic.
Mahut told Eurosport: “Both have had a tendency in their career to get carried away with their box, to sometimes have lapses or meltdowns. Andy will understand very well what Novak will feel on the field, and he will also be able to help him I think.”
“At first, he should be a little more measured. But, in action… Novak deeply respected Ivanisevic and he targeted him several times.
“Andy, it’s the same, it happened with Lendl. With Amelie Mauresmo, he was a little more contained, but it happened to him too. In fact, he knows what goes on in the head of a very high level player sometimes.”
However, Mahut believes there is a chance the partnership could work as. the pair “speak the same language” in terms of style and approach.
He added: “When Andy approaches the match, he can, in certain tactical aspects, have the same way of operating and the same strategic approach as Novak.
Djokovic, who is now 37, announced the news that Murray would coach him last week, promising “one final chapter” in their story together – and the Scot said he couldn’t wait to work with him.
“I’m really excited for it and looking forward to spending time on the same side of the net as Novak for a change, helping him to achieve his goals,” he said.
