Andy Murray Reflects on Coaching Novak Djokovic: A Short-Lived Journey

Andy Murray has expressed disappointment over the results of his brief coaching stint with former rival Novak Djokovic. Murray, a three-time Grand Slam champion, joined Djokovic’s coaching team in November 2024 after retiring from professional tennis following the Paris Olympics. While their collaboration began with promise, it ultimately ended in May 2025, just before the French Open.

Reflecting on his experience on The Athletic’s The Tennis Podcast, Murray stated, “I probably didn’t get the results I would have liked for him.” Despite the challenges, he emphasized the value of the opportunity, noting, “It was a good opportunity because I felt I wanted to coach at some stage.” He acknowledged that without taking this chance, he could have regretted not exploring coaching.

During their time together, Djokovic reached the semi-finals of the Australian Open, defeating Carlos Alcaraz before retiring due to a hamstring injury in a match against Alexander Zverev. However, subsequent tournaments did not yield the same success. Djokovic faced first-round exits in both Qatar and Indian Wells, before making it to the final in Miami, where he lost to rising Czech star Jakub Mensik.

Murray described the initial period of their partnership as exhilarating, admitting that working with one of the sport’s greatest athletes came with high expectations. He remarked, “You’re working with not only one of the best tennis players but one of the best athletes of all time, so my expectation was that it was going to be extremely challenging.” He noted that both he and Djokovic share a demanding approach to the game.

While the injury in Australia was unfortunate, Murray recalled, “I watched him play ridiculous tennis in that tournament.” He acknowledged the difficulties that followed for Djokovic and his team, stating that the experience taught him valuable lessons about coaching. “I was fully invested, tried my hardest to help, and made some good relationships along the way with his team,” he added.

Looking ahead, the 38-year-old Murray remains open to future coaching roles, reflecting on the insights gained during his time with Djokovic. He emphasized the importance of maintaining positive energy as a coach, saying, “It’s something that if I ever coached again, I would work on and try to do a better job of it.”

Murray’s candid remarks about his coaching experience highlight both the challenges and rewards associated with stepping into a new role in the world of professional sports. As he continues to evaluate his future, the lessons learned from this partnership promise to influence his approach should he choose to return to coaching in the future.