Participant Options
Murray’s early impression of Djokovic: ‘None of these guys matter, it is solely Novak’
Perception from distinguished coach and analyst Brad Gilbert
December 06, 2024
Clive Brunskill/Getty Pictures
Andy Murray will coach Novak Djokovic via the 2025 Australian Open.
By ATP Workers
Brad Gilbert remembers asking Andy Murray an essential query in 2006, when he started teaching the Scot. Gilbert went via an inventory of gamers, urgent Murray on which opponents gave him essentially the most hassle. Almost 20 years later, Gilbert nonetheless remembers Murray’s response.
“I bear in mind him saying, ‘None of these guys matter, it’s solely Novak,’” Gilbert instructed ATPTour.com.
In a full-circle second, Murray is now teaming along with his rival Djokovic, teaching the Serbian within the off season and thru the Australian Open. In line with Gilbert, it’s a becoming transfer.
“I form of sensed that Novak was going to do one thing. You didn’t know what he was going to do, however you form of sensed that he most likely wanted one thing, and one thing to inspire him. And clearly he goes manner again with Andy,” Gilbert mentioned.
“Andy is aware of lots about Novak, is aware of lots concerning the gamers who Novak goes to be chasing. However I feel greater than something, the place Novak is, you’ve bought these two big, younger guys now [Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz] who’ve simply actually elevated and I feel Novak most likely seems like he wants a bit of bit and I feel most significantly, wants that motivation.”
Wasn’t on our 2024 bingo card…
However SO right here for it 😎@andy_murray | @DjokerNole pic.twitter.com/e9T2eFW25i
— ATP Tour (@atptour) November 23, 2024
Murray, who retired on the Paris Olympics earlier this yr, and 99-time tour-level titlist Djokovic clashed 36 instances of their Lexus ATP Head2Head collection. The Belgrade native received 25 of these conferences. They battled on the world’s largest levels, together with in seven main finals.
Gilbert, former No. 4 within the PIF ATP Rankings, additionally is aware of what it’s wish to make a fast transition from the court docket to the coach’s field. He retired as a participant in 1994, the identical yr he started teaching Andre Agassi. Immediately, Gilbert realized a priceless teaching lesson.
“You’re the coach, wanting via the lens of the participant who you’re teaching. I used to be like, ‘I’d do X, Y and Z, however Andre performs nothing like me, so I can’t take into consideration what I’d do. I’ve to consider what Andre wanted to do’.”
Born one week aside in Could 1987, Djokovic and Murray will not be the primary pair of former No. 1s within the PIF ATP Rankings to affix forces. In reality, Murray is the third former No. 1 to be in Djokovic’s nook. The Serbian has additionally labored with Agassi and Boris Becker.
With a complete offseason to refine new methods and techniques, Djokovic’s early season can be notably thrilling. The 37-year-old will start his 2025 marketing campaign in Brisbane.
“The very first thing I’ll wish to do once I’m in Australia is simply go watch Murray and Novak practise,” Gilbert mentioned. “It will likely be fascinating, do they practise collectively? Is he practising with a apply associate? And [I want to see] if I discover something completely different early within the first spherical. As a coach myself and a former participant, I’m form of fascinated seeing if there’s something completely different instantly.”
