Why Novak Djokovic, Andy Murray, ended their six-month all-star partnership
Andy Murray and Novak Djokovic’s unlikely partnership seemed to come to an abrupt end but signs it wasn’t right bubbled up multiple times over past months.
Tennis
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Aside from Novak Djokovic’s lack of consistency so far this season, the clearest sign that there was deep unrest in his mind came during a practice session before the Madrid Open three weeks ago. With his coach Andy Murray walking closely behind, Djokovic was captured by a courtside camera and microphone uttering in Serbian: “F*** sport, tennis and everything.”
By no means is this the first time a player has used an expletive to express frustration on the court – Djokovic and Murray have forced television commentators into countless apologies for bad language through the years – but it was a particularly candid insight into Djokovic’s frame of mind at present. Frankly, he has seldom appeared content on the tour since the start of the year.
Something clearly had to give, which is why an announcement came yesterday (Tuesday) morning that Djokovic’s partnership with Murray had come to a sudden end after six months. Rather than ploughing on with preparations for the upcoming French Open, a mutual decision was recently reached that it would be best for both to part ways.
To be clear, there are no signs of any acrimony between these former arch rivals. Both released generous and polite statements yesterday (Tuesday), thanking the other for their time together. There is no sense from either that the decision to team up is one they regret.
“Thanks to Novak for the unbelievable opportunity to work together and thanks to his team for all their hard work over the past six months,” Murray said. “I wish Novak all the best for the rest of the season.”
Ultimately, though, both had hoped for better results. There were strong performances for Djokovic, such as a run to the semi-finals at the Australian Open and a runner-up finish at the Miami Open – both of which Murray was in attendance for – but early exits in Doha, Indian Wells, Monte Carlo and Madrid have fallen below the lofty standards of a 24-times grand-slam champion.
One of the initial aims for Djokovic in November when he first approached Murray was for the hiring of his old adversary to be a much needed motivational boost. Understandably, a fresh spark was required at the age of 37 after completing his CV last year with a long-coveted Olympic gold medal in Paris.
It was genuinely one of the most high-profile coaching partnerships in the sport’s history, taking the tennis world by surprise when it was announced out of nowhere on a Saturday afternoon. The original agreement was a trial consisting of a training camp in Marbella and the Australian Open before a discussion would be held on a potential extension.
While many were taken aback that Murray was returning to the tour so soon after retirement in August, this was an opportunity that his curiosity would not let him turn down. After being denied several grand-slam titles by Djokovic, including defeats in four Australian Open finals, here was a chance to peek behind the curtain of the greatest of all time, as well as gaining some experience of what it is like to be in the coach’s corner.
Predictably, Murray threw himself into the analytical side of coaching. In his Melbourne hotel room he pored over videos of Djokovic’s opponents for hours, to the extent that he managed only one quick round of nine holes on the golf course during his entire trip to Australia. It paid off as Djokovic expertly executed a game plan to defeat Carlos Alcaraz in the quarter-finals.
“It comes natural to him,” Djokovic said of Murray’s tactical advice. “His IQ generally and tennis IQ is very high. He observes and speaks when is most important. I think he understands the moment when he needs to say something and what to say and what to ask.”
While a hamstring injury forced Djokovic’s retirement in the semi-final against Alexander Zverev, both he and Murray departed Melbourne feeling positive about their first tournament together.
An agreement was reached weeks later to extend the partnership onwards towards the European clay-court swing, marked by a significant commitment in which Murray agreed to accompany Djokovic for the entire American “Sunshine Swing” of back-to-back Masters hard-court tournaments in Indian Wells and Miami.
Despite an early defeat in Indian Wells, Djokovic and Murray’s relationship grew over dinners during a stay at the luxurious Porcupine Creek resort in the Californian desert. Two weeks later all seemed well on the court in Miami as Djokovic eased through to the final without dropping a set in five matches.
Had Djokovic ended the tournament by winning his 100th title, perhaps things would be different now and the partnership with Murray would still be intact. Instead he bizarrely appeared well below par in a straight-sets defeat by Jakub Mensik, referencing frustration afterwards with a six-hour rain delay and swelling from a stye on his right eyelid.
The momentum was now gone. Consecutive defeats in Monte Carlo and Madrid had Djokovic describing a “new reality” in which he was “trying to win a match or two, not really thinking about getting far in the tournament”. He subsequently withdrew from the Italian Open without giving any reason, physical or otherwise.
It is harsh of some to describe the partnership between Djokovic and Murray as a flop, but clearly there was an acknowledgment by both in recent days that the dynamic was not quite right. Djokovic has since returned to training in Serbia before his next scheduled appearance at the Geneva Open from Monday and took the time yesterday (Tuesday) to post a grateful message to Murray on social media.
“Thank you, coach Andy, for all the hard work, fun and support over the last six months on & off the court,” Djokovic wrote. “Really enjoyed deepening our friendship together.”
For Murray, he now returns to retired life on the golf course, while also continuing his preparations for a four-date theatre tour next month with the broadcaster Andrew Cotter. The door is also now open for him to potentially take on a lucrative punditry role at Wimbledon.
COPYRIGHT – THE TIMES, LONDON
MURRAY-DJOKOVIC END SIX-MONTH PARTNERSHIP
It was the all-star team-up set to shake the foundation of world tennis but Novak Djokovic and Andy Murray have split after just six months.
The coming together of one of the most successful tennis players of all time with one of the sport’s great minds was set to be the boost ageing veteran Djokovic needed as the likes of Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz dominate the sport.
Djokovic started the season in good form, and made the semi final of the Australian Open before being forced to retire through injury after dropping the first set 7-5 to Alexander Zverev.
Djokovic posted a heartfelt tribute to Murray on Instagram
“Thank you, coach Andy, for all the hard work, fun & support over last six months on & off the court,” the post read.
“I really enjoyed deepening our friendship together.”
Murray thanked Djokovic for “opportunity to work together”.
“Thanks to Novak for the unbelievable opportunity to work together and thanks to his team for all their hard work over the past six months,” Murray said.
“I wish Novak all the best for the rest of the season.”
The 37-year-old Serbian great is stranded on 99 career titles, and most recently lost to Matteo Arnaldi at the ATP Masters at Madrid.
He came close to his 100th title at the ATP Masters 1000 Miami but lost the final to Jakub Mensik.
The Sun reported Murray had signed up to become a motivational speaker, where the three-time Grand Slam winner will talk about tackling adversity, mental toughness and peak performance
Originally published as Why Novak Djokovic, Andy Murray, ended their six-month all-star partnership
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