By Chris Oddo | @TheFanChild | Friday January 10, 2025
Novak Djokovic and Andy Murray are the largest storyline of the 2025 Australian Open. The pair that met 4 instances within the remaining on the Australian Open hope to go there collectively this 12 months, as 24-time main champion has the Scot using shotgun as his coach this 12 months in Melbourne.
On media day in Melbourne on Friday, Djokovic talked about what he perceives to be the best strengths of Murray.
Djokovic stated that Murray is an inspiration for him, at the beginning.
“He actually has impressed myself and lots of people world wide,” Djokovic stated. “I feel that his distinctive perspective on my sport is the truth that he has performed me for 25 years. First time we confronted one another was after we have been 12 years outdated. He is aware of the evolution of my sport, I assume the weaknesses and strengths of my sport.
“I feel his tennis IQ could be very excessive. Everyone knows that. He has performed an unbelievable job, significantly after he acquired the surgical procedure, his synthetic hip, successful tournaments after that, taking part in on challenger stage, somebody that could be a legend of the game, simply exhibiting everybody what it means to be a champion in an actual sense of that phrase.”
Djokovic additionally believes that the truth that Murray was solely lately taking part in on tour and dealing with the sports activities’ high gamers makes him much more priceless.
“He additionally is aware of the sport, the tennis sport, of the largest gamers on this planet proper now as a result of he has only recently retired as a participant,” the 37-year-old stated. “He was practising and likewise taking part in in opposition to all the very best guys on this planet as much as lately. I assume he is up to the mark with what’s taking place on the tour.”
“I am now right here to sabotage his probabilities of successful one other one” 😅Andy Murray on teaching Novak Djokovic after shedding 4 #AusOpen finals in opposition to him 🏆 pic.twitter.com/hxCLxwdOtW
— Eurosport (@eurosport) January 9, 2025
The pair have spent what quantities to 12 days on the observe court docket to this point, so it’s nonetheless early days on this excessive profile pairing. However Djokovic likes the truth that Murray motivates him, and says that they’re progressively opening up the traces of communication to at least one one other.
“We’re simply nonetheless attending to know one another on the court docket. We spent eight days within the pre-season interval and now final 4 days right here in Melbourne,” he stated, including: “He offers me motivation, evokes me actually to be spending time on the court docket. We talk so much. We speak about a variety of various things. He is attempting to know me on completely different ranges, chatting with different crew members that know me higher. He is very meticulous. He is a really devoted skilled.”
It’s an thrilling time for crew Djokovic, because the Serbian legend bids for his report twenty fifth main title and eleventh in Australia. He’s additionally gunning for his one centesimal profession title, and his one centesimal match win in Australia (he has 94, in opposition to simply 9 losses).
Djokovic says his new coach has effortlessly taken up his put up.
“It comes pure to him,” stated the Belgrade native. “His IQ typically and tennis IQ could be very excessive. He observes and speaks when it’s most essential. I feel he understands the second when he must say one thing and what to say and what to ask.
“Now all playing cards are open on the desk. That is what he calls for. I’m 100% supportive of that sort of communication technique the place you share the whole lot as a result of that is the easiest way for him to know you and to really enable you to in no matter means he can.”
Djokovic will face American wild card Nishesh Basavareddy in first-round motion in Melbourne. The Australian Open begins on Sunday January 12.
