Andy Murray is going to coach Novak Djokovic to start 2025 and on the surface it looks like a win-win decision for everybody but upon closer inspection, one may begin to wonder what exactly are Murray’s motives?
A tennis insider once told me it’s the hardest decision of all in tennis to try to find the right coach, “because the coach’s priorities are, 1 himself, 2 his family, 3 money, 4 the player’s interests.”
With that in mind, Murray does not need the money but it may be possible that he cares more about creating his post playing career image as a coach and is using Djokovic as a vehicle to stay relevant in a high profile position which could lead to other opportunities.
Or Murray may deeply care about Djokovic’s evolution at age 37 and into age 38, with an abundance of ideas to help Djokovic become a more difficult player to beat.
Murray will be on the hot seat to get instant big results from Djokovic at his most successful Grand Slam in Melbourne. If Djokovic fails to win the title, for the second year in a row, Murray will surely get some of the blame, for failing to make a positive impact and this could damage his coaching aura/image.
If Djokovic does win playing his normal style, it will be interesting to see how much credit is given to Murray’s influence.
While the Djokovic/Murray alliance looks fancy and eye-catching right now, it remains to be seen how it will play out and if the alliance can be beneficial to each partner.
Murray will get a lot of media attention and he will surely serve also as spokesman for his boss, which will generate a lot of positive media coverage in Great Britain and around the world. This will help free Djokovic from having to answer the same old questions about age, retirement, the Covid shot disaster, his body at age 37/38 and he can focus on the task at hand – winning major no. 25. Surely, Djokovic would prefer to talk about his long connection and collaboration with Murray than those other topics the media tend to dwell on.
Djokovic and Murray is one of the most intriguing player coach combinations of tennis history but it is by no means an automatic given that it will be fruitful for both. How it plays out will be fascinating to observe.
Andy Murray · Asics · Australian Open · Head · Lacoste · Novak Djokovic
catherine · December 22, 2024 at 7:43 pm
Scoop – off topic maybe but a lesson from the Big Fight: How to Retire Gracefully. Fury says he won….
Sam · December 22, 2024 at 11:51 pm
Scoop, what is your hunch about how this pairing will play out? 😏
Scoop Malinowski · December 23, 2024 at 4:47 pm
Murray is just along for the free ride and exposure, to stay relevant. if he can enhance Djokovic and make more difficult to beat, it will be clearly obvious. just can’t see that happening though. it will be same old Djokovic which is still good enough to win majors with or without Andy. what’s your view Sam?
Scoop Malinowski · December 23, 2024 at 4:49 pm
Catherine, Usyk beat him again, I stopped listening to furys bulljive act a while ago. just a big talker. fury is still very good with his height reach and skills but he can’t beat Usyk or AJ. time to quit.
Sam · December 23, 2024 at 5:45 pm
Murray is just along for the free ride and exposure, to stay relevant. if he can enhance Djokovic and make more difficult to beat, it will be clearly obvious.
Scoop, what do you think their payment arrangement looks like?
just can’t see that happening though. it will be same old Djokovic which is still good enough to win majors with or without Andy. what’s your view Sam?
My hunch is that your assessment is correct. While Andy may provide some spark and moral support, more or less the same old Djokovic is what we should probably expect. 😂
Scoop Malinowski · December 23, 2024 at 6:56 pm
Great question about what Novak is paying Murray, I would get a percentage of what he earns at grand slams. From what I read, it’s just a short term trial, not for the whole year.
catherine · December 25, 2024 at 10:01 am
Djokovic doesn’t need a coach. Andy needs something newsworthy to fill in his time and keep some contact with tennis.
Otherwise, I don’t think he has a clue about his future.
Scoop Malinowski · December 25, 2024 at 2:35 pm
Right Catherine just like Andy didn’t need Mauresmo’s “coaching.” I observed a few of his practices with her there at Miami and US Open and she did nothing, said nothing, just stood in the corner holding a racquet. We are in the era of publicity stunt coaches. Merry Christmas.