Andy Murray gives Novak Djokovic major advantage as pair hit Australian Open courts

Novak Djokovic hit the Australian Open practice courts with new coach Andy Murray

Novak Djokovic has been told that Andy Murray gives him a major advantage. Just months after Murray retired at the Olympics, he signed up to coach his old rival for the off-season and Australian Open. The Brit has now arrived in Melbourne, hitting the practice courts for the first time with Djokovic on Tuesday.

Djokovic will be bidding to win a record 25th Grand Slam title at the Australian Open, which has become his hunting ground. The Serb has already lifted 10 trophies in Melbourne Park, and he’s hungry for more.

The 37-year-old had an unusual 2024 season, winning just one title - an Olympic gold medal - and suffering some early exits at big tournaments. But he proved he was still as motivated as ever when he announced Murray would begin coaching him during the off-season. The blockbuster link-up sent the tennis world into a frenzy. Fellow retired star Jeremy Chardy backed the pair to work together all year but Alexander Bublik claimed Murray was trying to “cling onto the past”. Tennis legend Stefan Edberg has now had his say, explaining why Murray has a key advantage as a new coach. The six-time Major winner knows exactly what it’s like to go from being a top player to coaching one - he worked with Roger Federer in 2014.

Novak Djokovic is seeking his 25th Grand Slam title at the Australian Open

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But he believes Murray has an advantage over other players who have entered the coaching circle, given how recently he retired. “You had former number one players coaching in the past - Ivan Lendl and Boris Becker are two other examples - but we'd all been retired for a number of years,” Edberg told the BBC. “Murray basically goes straight off the tour so he has all the knowledge of the players who play today.” As well as Murray’s ability to scout the current players, Edberg believes his presence will be enough to motivate Djokovic.

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