Fierce Rivals Turned Allies: Djokovic Hires Murray as his New Coach

In a surprising turn of events, Serbian tennis player Novak Djokovic has made a game-changing decision to hire his longtime rival Andy Murray as his new coach for the 2025 season. The announcement came via a shared statement and video on social media platforms. Murray, after concluding his illustrious playing career post-Olympics in July, will now coach Djokovic through the off-season and at least until the Australian Open. 

Expressing his fervor for the alliance, Djokovic shared, "I am excited to have one of my greatest rivals on the same side of the net as my coach. Looking forward to [the] start of the season and competing in Australia alongside Andy with whom I have shared many exceptional moments on the Australian soil."

Murray reciprocated the enthusiasm saying, "I am really excited for it and looking forward to spending time on the same side of the net as Novak for a change, helping him to achieve his goals."

Djokovic and Murray, both 37, have a shared history tracing back to their first match as 11-year-olds. Across their careers, Djokovic touts a 25-11 lead over Murray, with memorable victories, especially at the Australian Open finals. 

Djokovic, following his split from coach Goran Ivanisevic in March, had remained without a permanent replacement. After an illustrious 2023 season securing three major titles, Djokovic encountered a challenging 2024, failing to win a Grand Slam or a tour-level tournament. However, he did secure his maiden Olympic gold in Paris, a feat he struggled with throughout his career.

Now, beginning 2025 with a new coach in Andy Murray, Djokovic's career may see a major shift. Alluding to the former's hire, Djokovic jokingly wrote on social media, "He never liked retirement anyway." The pair, acknowledging their intrinsically entwined careers, now embark on a journey as allies, aiming to add one final chapter to their prominent saga.