The roles are different, but the stage is familiar for the newly formed double act of Novak Djokovic and Andy Murray.
Melbourne in January was once a regular date, much to the Scot’s dismay. The Serbian defeated Dunblane’s best in four Australian Open finals and one semi-final.
Still, Djokovic sees his former rival as crucial to achieving a historic Grand Slam victory. So they meet again under an Australian sun.
The rationale behind Djokovic’s belief in Murray’s coaching nous spans more than a quarter of a century and includes shared values, distinct personalities, early friendship, ongoing rivalry and an enduring respect.
The pair first met on the junior circuit when they were both 11. They were both born in May 1987, with the Scot being a week older.
Their early experiences were marked by trauma, with Djokovic enduring the NATO bombing of Belgrade in 1999 and Murray surviving the Dunblane massacre in 1986 by hiding in the principal’s office with other students.
Murray and Djokovic competed in doubles at the 2006 Australian Open
Murray congratulates his rival after losing the first of their four finals in Melbourne in 2011
Djokovic shakes hands with Murray after victory in a hard-fought 2015 final
Their careers ran side by side, with Djokovic retiring to become the greatest tennis player of all time. Aesthetes may prefer Roger Federer, others may choose Rafael Nadal, but the numbers are compelling.
Djokovic has a better head-to-head against both (31-29 against Nadal and 27-23 against Federer) and has won the most grand slams.
He is now tied with Margaret Court and Melbourne 2025 is his best chance of taking the record on his own.
However, Djokovic is on borrowed time. He did not win a Grand Slam title last season. He’s 37. There are at least two players who think they can beat him now in Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner.
Once upon a time, Djokovic could win by simply being Djokovic. He now needs every edge he can find.
It is this that led him to Murray. They have watched each other – on and off the pitch – since they were schoolchildren.
Djokovic was Murray’s regular foe (25-11 in head-to-head matches), but this never diminished the Serbian’s respect for the Scot. After all, he was hurt by Murray. Two of the Scot’s three Grand Slam title victories came by beating Djokovic in the finals at Flushing Meadows and Wimbledon.
The Serbian always had confidence that his contemporary would follow him as a Grand Slam winner.
In a wonderfully informal chat with the press at Wimbledon in 2012, Djokovic, the defending champion, revealed that he had just been on holiday in Perthshire and texted Murray pictures of Dunblane.
He then said more emphatically that the Scot would win a major soon. Murray lost to Federer in the Wimbledon final two weeks later, but ended the season by winning Olympic gold and beating Djokovic in the US Open final.
So why Murray as coach? And why now? The first question reveals a lot about both men. Djokovic, despite his growing invincibility, has always been vulnerable. Indeed, in his early career he earned a reputation for fragility by withdrawing from tournaments, citing eye problems and breathing problems.
He became extremely fit by changing his diet and, crucially, his mindset. He needs someone in his corner who he knows and trusts.
Both he and Murray share a tireless work ethic. They are both driven. They both make opponents work for every point. They understand each other. Murray benefited from this interaction with a Grand Slam winner when Ivan Lendl was his coach. This is a similar move, although one suspects Murray will be more involved in the details.
The pair looked relaxed ahead of Djokovic’s quest for an eleventh title Down Under
The timing has the obvious reason that Djokovic has been reaching for something different, because he knows he is not the untouchable force of old, not even of 2023 when he won three Grand Slam titles.
The tennis world was once in the grip of the Serb, but not anymore. One day he could win by simply being Novak, the reliable server, the best returner ever, the most flexible, the strongest, the most courageous in the clutch moments. But the young guns of Sinner and Alcaraz have inflicted wounds. They are not fatal to the Serbian’s hopes in Melbourne, but they have given him food for thought.
He knows Murray has one of the best tactical brains in tennis. This was evident when we were schoolchildren. Leon Smith, Murray’s first professional coach, remembers going through the draws for girls and boys in junior tournaments and accurately commenting on the strengths and weaknesses of each participant. This thirst for knowledge was transferred to the professional circuit.
If Murray was drawn against a surprise wild card or an unexpected lucky loser in the early rounds of a tournament, he could immediately talk about his opponent’s qualities without having to rely on websites. As a player he closely followed both the men’s and women’s tours.
Murray will make an important contribution to the strategy. Djokovic will of course go his own way, but there are reasons to believe that at least occasionally it will go in the direction indicated by his coach.
There is a ton of Australian Open experience between them. Djokovic has won ten. Murray has lost in five finals. They are both also masters at navigating a grand slam in terms of preparation and recovery. Djokovic has strict diet and exercise protocols and it’s difficult to imagine drastic changes in this regard, but Murray’s greatest strength may lie in his role as a light-hearted confidante.
Murray is considered one of the most eager to learn players in the game
The world has gradually become accustomed to the Scot’s dry humor and in the run-up to the Australian Open you notice how relaxed he has been. Djokovic still bears the scars of January 2022, when he was deported from Australia over his stance against taking a Covid vaccination.
The Serbian claimed this week that he was given “food that poisoned me” while staying in a Melbourne hotel as he waited for his flight home. On subsequent visits to Australia he also spoke of ‘trauma’.
Murray will be determined to ensure Djokovic is in the best frame of mind for the tests that await him.
The reconnaissance and tactical work will be intensive for the Scot. Djokovic will be fully aware of details and thoughts on how to exploit weaknesses. He will be relaxed by his coach’s attitude and the knowledge that Murray knows exactly how difficult it is to win in Melbourne.
The Scot never completely solved that puzzle and lost in five finals. But he only lost to the very best. Federer defeated him once, Djokovic prevailed four times.
The arithmetic that matters now for Djokovic is winning an 11th Australian and that 25th grand slam. Murray will add something important. Will it be enough?
The double act has an intriguing chemistry and has already shown that it has good lines. The drama has yet to unfold. The only certainty is that it has the power to captivate a global audience.