The not too long ago retired Andy Murray goes to workforce up with longtime rival Novak Djokovic as his coach, they each introduced Saturday, with plans to arrange for — and work collectively by means of — the Australian Open in January.
It was a surprising bit of stories as tennis strikes towards its offseason, a pairing of two of probably the most profitable and standard gamers within the sport, each of whom are typically known as members of a so-called Large 4 that additionally included Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal.
Djokovic is a 24-time Grand Slam champion who has spent extra weeks at No. 1 than another participant in tennis historical past. Murray received three main trophies and two Olympic singles gold medals and completed 2016 atop the ATP rankings. He ended his taking part in profession after the Paris Summer season Video games in August.
Each males are 37 and had been born per week aside in Could 1987. They began dealing with one another as juniors and wound up assembly 36 occasions as professionals, with Djokovic holding a 25-11 benefit.
“We performed one another since we had been boys — 25 years of being rivals, of pushing one another past our limits. We had a number of the most epic battles in our sport. They referred to as us game-changers, risk-takers, history-makers,” Djokovic posted on social media over pictures and movies from a few of their matches. “I assumed our story could also be over. Seems, it has one remaining chapter. It’s time for one in all my hardest opponents to step into my nook. Welcome on board, Coach — Andy Murray.”
Djokovic’s 2024 season is over, and it was less than his ordinary, excessive requirements. He did not win a Grand Slam trophy; his solely title, although, was significant to him: a gold medal for Serbia in singles on the Summer season Video games.
Djokovic has been with out a full-time coach since splitting in March from Goran Ivanisevic.
“I’m going to be becoming a member of Novak’s workforce within the offseason, serving to him to arrange for the Australian Open,” Murray stated in an announcement launched by his administration workforce. “I’m actually excited for it and looking out ahead to spending time on the identical aspect of the online as Novak for a change, serving to him to realize his targets.”
Their head-to-head sequence on tour consists of an 11-8 lead for Djokovic in finals, and 8-2 at Grand Slam tournaments.
Djokovic beat Murray 4 occasions within the Australian Open remaining alone — in 2011, 2013, 2015 and 2016.
Two of a very powerful victories of Murray’s profession got here with Djokovic on the opposite aspect of the online. One was within the 2012 U.S. Open remaining, when Murray claimed his first Grand Slam title. The opposite was within the 2013 Wimbledon remaining, when Murray grew to become the primary British man in 77 years to win the singles championship on the All England Membership.
Subsequent yr’s Australian Open begins on Jan. 12.
