Novak Djokovic shocked the tennis world last month by announcing that he would be teaming up with Andy Murray for the 2025 season – and the move could be just what he needs says this ex-pro
Former world no.1 Jimmy Connors believes Andy Murray will help Novak Djokovic find his ‘comfort zone’ and boost his mentality as they collaborate.
Following Murray’s tearful goodbye on the court at Paris 2024 and Djokovic’s gold medal win, which completed a career Golden Slam and ticked off one final achievement, both stars seemed to be in a state of uncertainty.
That was particularly true for Djokovic, who is struggling to keep pace with the ATP Tour’s new guard, namely Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner. Tennis enthusiasts were surprised then when the 24-time Grand Slam champion revealed last month that he had enlisted the services of Murray, a partnership expected to continue until at least the 2025 Australian Open.
Connors, an eight-time major singles title winner himself, believes this unexpected move could be exactly what 37-year-old Djokovic needs to get his mindset right.
“There comes a point in time in your later years where, if you feel comfortable and feel relaxed with the people around you, that allows you to go out and attempt to play your best tennis and give it your all,” Connors told Eurosport.
“If he [Djokovic] is around someone who he feels comfortable with now not that those in the past he didn’t feel comfortable with but as you get older, things change. Your mind changes, your outlook changes, your feelings change and all that. If you can go and be more relaxed going to the tennis court, it will allow you to play even better.
“They have competed against each other; they know each other’s game and have spent time together on and off the court. Maybe that is a good thing,” he concluded. “It also might only last a week, you don’t know. You have to give it a shot though, I like what he is doing.”
It was the previous competitiveness between the pair that Djokovic himself credited as the driver behind the decision – the Serbian ace seeking out an advisor who has walked equally grand roads, reports the Express.
“We were going through different names, and I realised the perfect coach for me at this point would be someone that has been through the experiences that I’m going through, possible multiple Grand Slam winner, former No. 1,” Djokovic revealed to Sky Sports.
“I was thinking about different people, and then an Andy Murray discussion appeared on the table between my team and me. It was still a shock decision. It caught him a little bit off guard as well because he wasn’t expecting it, so we connected really fast, and he accepted after a few days.
“He’s been one of my greatest rivals. We’re the same age. We’ve played in all the biggest stadiums in our sport. So, I can’t wait to get out on the court and prepare for next season. This collaboration is a surprise to me as well as to everyone. But it’s exciting for tennis.”