Andy Murray says it won’t be a failure if Novak Djokovic fails to win Australian Open

Andy Murray says it’s not a failure if Novak Djokovic doesn’t rewrite the record books with another Australian Open title, but says the tennis legend is in it to win it.

Andy Murray says it’s not a failure if Novak Djokovic doesn’t rewrite the record books with another Australian Open title.

The tennis legend who is joining forces with Djokovic for the first time as his coach, is confident he’s capable of winning more grand slams.

“I know myself I lost in many Australian Open finals, at the time that’s how I viewed it (as failure) but then now when I reflect on it, it’s still a great achievement to do that,’’ Murray said.

Andy Murray appeared at Melbourne Central on Thursday for Chemist Warehouse

“When you’re in the tournament the goal is to try and win it. I think failure is the wrong word. Novak has won here 10 times, his expectation is to try and win it and I want him to play good tennis, give his best on every single point and if he’s done that he’s not failed if he doesn’t get the result that he wants. You can’t win every single match or every single tournament but you can commit to giving your 100 per cent and see what the outcome is at the end.

Novak Djokovic hits a return as Andy Murray looks on. Picture: William West

“For me that’s why I’m here. I’m excited for that, that’s what is motivating to me. That’s why I agreed to do the job. If I didn’t think he had a chance of winning of majors I wouldn’t have done it. I’m here because I still believe when he plays his best tennis he’s capable of beating all of the best players and winning big tournaments. I’m motivated by that.”

Murray was mobbed by fans after appearing at Melbourne Central Chemist Warehouse to celebrate his partnership with Vital Proteins, which he’s taken each morning for the past year.

Murray says it won’t be a failure if Djokovic fails to win the tournament. Picture: James D. Morgan

He said the job is harder than it looks with Djokovic to play in the third round on Friday.

“I’ve learned that coaching is harder than I thought,’’ Murray said.

“It’s more demanding. When you’re a player you arrive at the courts and do your prep and you do the match and spend a bit of time thinking about it but it’s onto the next one. When you’re coaching you’re arriving a bit earlier to the court and looking at video footage of matches and looking at analysing opponents.

“There’s lots of things that maybe as a player you don’t appreciate as much. I like that it’s demanding, I like to be challenged and I want that. It’s long days and you need to also find a bit of time to switch off too.”

Originally published as Andy Murray says it won’t be a failure if Novak Djokovic fails to win Australian Open