Andy Murray Reflects on Coaching Novak Djokovic, Career Lessons, and the Demands of the Modern Tennis Calendar
Andy Murray has never shied away from a challenge-on the court or off it. After officially hanging up his racquet following the 2024 Paris Olympics, the three-time Grand Slam champion stepped into a new role: coach.
And not just for anyone. Murray joined forces with Novak Djokovic, a 24-time Grand Slam winner and longtime rival, in what was his first foray into coaching.
The partnership, which began in November 2024, lasted just six months. Murray was part of Djokovic’s team through the 2025 Australian Open and three other tournaments. And while the results didn’t quite match the expectations, Murray’s takeaway is clear-this was a learning experience like no other.
“You're working with not only one of the best tennis players but one of the best athletes of all time,” Murray said on The Tennis Podcast. “So my expectation was that it was going to be extremely challenging.”
And it was. Murray, known for his own intense preparation and high standards, acknowledged that Djokovic operates in a similar way-demanding excellence from himself and those around him. That dynamic, while familiar, was still a new experience from the other side of the net.
“Novak, like myself, is a challenging character in terms of the way he goes about his tennis,” Murray said. “It’s extremely demanding.”
Djokovic’s 2025 season got off to a promising start in Melbourne. He battled past Carlos Alcaraz to reach the Australian Open semifinals, showing flashes of brilliance that reminded everyone why he’s still a force at the top of the game. But an injury forced him to retire during his semifinal clash with Alexander Zverev-an abrupt and frustrating end to a strong campaign.
From there, things didn’t get easier. Djokovic suffered early-round exits in Qatar and Indian Wells before making a run to the Miami Open final, where he fell to rising Czech teenager Jakub Mensik.
“It was unfortunate what happened in Australia with the injury,” Murray said. “But I watched him play ridiculous tennis in that tournament.”
That injury marked the beginning of a difficult stretch-not just for Djokovic, but for the entire team, Murray included.
“After the injury, it was certainly a difficult few months for him, but also I think for the team and all of us,” he said. “I was disappointed.
Probably didn’t get the results I would have liked for him. But I learned a lot about what coaching is.”
One of the more humbling moments came on day one. Djokovic invited Murray on a run, and the Scot-never one to back down-pushed through calf cramps just to keep up. “Embarrassing,” Murray called it, but it’s the kind of moment that underscores the physical and mental intensity Djokovic brings to every aspect of his preparation.
Looking back on his own playing career, Murray offered some honest reflection. He said he wishes he had taken more time to enjoy his accomplishments, particularly after his two Olympic gold medals. In a sport that rarely pauses, even the biggest wins can feel fleeting.
That non-stop grind is something players across the tour are increasingly vocal about. The tennis calendar has come under scrutiny for years, and with more two-week ATP 1000 events on the schedule, the time away from home is only growing. Murray, who voted against the expansion of those tournaments two years ago, knows firsthand how that kind of schedule can wear players down.
“I don’t think there’s anything that suggests players are getting injured more than before,” he said. “But I do think players are more tired and mentally more fatigued than they were before because they’re spending more days away on the road.”
The issue, Murray believes, isn’t necessarily the matches themselves-they’re not drastically more demanding than they were a decade ago. It’s the cumulative toll of constant travel, relentless scheduling, and the lack of genuine downtime.
“When you’re more fatigued, you’re more sensitive to pain and discomfort,” he said. “My feeling is that’s what players are feeling now-just being away for longer.”
Now on the other side of the net, Murray’s perspective is evolving. Coaching Djokovic gave him an inside look at what it takes to stay at the top in today’s game-and the toll it takes. While the results may not have matched the ambition, the experience added a new chapter to Murray’s tennis journey, one that continues to evolve even after his playing days have ended.