Novak Djokovic reveals how ‘great’ mid-match advice from Andy Murray helped inspire comeback Australian Open win

Andy Murray’s coaching career is off to a winning start, but it was not without some scares as Novak Djokovic came from a set down to beat 19-year-old Nishesh Basavareddy in the first round of the Australian Open.

The Scot took his place in the Australian Open’s new coaching pods, but as soft and padded as those seats were, he wasn’t always comfortable.

With a first round match against a Grand Slam debutant ranked outside the world’s top 100, Murray might have expected an easy start and avoided any rolllocks.

But a brilliant opening move from Basavareddy heightened the tension of the occasion and it was at the start of the second set, with the match hanging in the balance, that Djokovic gave Murray a dose of his own medicine, with a shout, a shrug and a few words. the poor.

There was even a ‘chat’ gesture, asking the new guy to talk some more. Murray knows better than anyone that it is always the coach’s fault.

“It was a bit of a strange experience having him in my box next to the court,” Djokovic said. “He gave me some good advice halfway through the game and after 20 years of playing against each other, it’s great to have him on my side of the net.”

Andy Murray (right) took his place in the new Australian Open coaching pods

Djokovic defeated 19-year-old Nishesh Basavareddy (left) in the first round on Monday

The frustration came when Djokovic was rocked by a display of surprising maturity from his American opponent.

Basavareddy was brilliant, brimming with youth and blasting his way to a one set lead. He’s not a power player, but his shot selection and touch play were seriously good. More field craftsman than power hitter, he dragged Djokovic out of position and was always ready with a cute drop shot when the moment came.

“To be honest, I never saw him play three or four days ago. I didn’t know much about him,” Djokovic said. ‘These matches are always difficult, always dangerous, he had nothing to lose. Very complete player, he pleasantly surprised me with his shots and his fighting spirit.

“I think we’ll see a lot of him in the future.”

The teenager played with his idol last night – his WhatsApp profile picture is of Djokovic – but in fact there was much in Basavarredy’s game that was reminiscent of the Scot sitting stoically in his opponent’s pod. One drop-shot-lob combination was strikingly Murray-esque.

Sadly, in another echo of Murray’s early Grand Slam adventures, Basavarredy tensed up at the end of the second set and looked physically compromised afterwards. But the score of 4-6, 6-3, 6-4, 6-2 was more than respectable.

But for all the Californian’s brilliance, Djokovic was not at his best. His ball speed seemed slow and he leaked unusual errors. Murray, who was sitting on the right, would have been forgiven for wondering where mistakes like this were in the 2016, 2015, 2013 and 2011 finals.

So what kind of figure did Murray cut on the bench? He was certainly on the Ivan Lendl side of the spectrum and did a reasonable impression of an Easter Island statue in the first set.

Basavareddy was brilliant, brimming with youth and blasting his way to a one set lead

Djokovic was shocked by his American opponent’s display of surprising maturity

Murray’s (left) coaching career is off to a winning start, but it hasn’t been without some hiccups

He became livelier in the second, rising to his feet as Djokovic earned break points. And when he finally broke the dam and took a 5-3 lead, he gave a big fist pump.

There wasn’t much tactical advice or verbal encouragement picked up on the microphone, but he did urge Djokovic to ensure a first serve at a key point.

Overall, Murray didn’t look entirely comfortable and that’s understandable. Firstly, it’s all very new for him, and secondly, the Australian Open’s new pods could be a bit revealing. Instead of sitting in the stands with Djokovic’s wife and the rest of the gang, he and three others have full view of most of the stadium.

Djokovic is a passionate man and as this relationship develops, and as the stakes on this event increase, he will likely need more from Murray.

But this was a solid start for the new alliance, which this week compared No.5 Daniil Medvedev to ‘Messi coaching Ronaldo’.