‘Both of us want to win’: Tennis legend Andy Murray opens up about coaching Novak Djokovic

In an incredible tell-all interview, Scottish tennis great Andy Murray has shared about his coaching dynamic with Novak Djokovic.

Tennis champion Sir Andy Murray has opened up about his grumpy past, struggles with fame and a new role coaching former foe Novak Djokovic. Picture: AFP

Tennis champion Sir Andy Murray has opened up about his grumpy past, struggles with fame and a new role coaching former foe Novak Djokovic.

“I know there are many people out there think my relationship with Novak can’t work. They say it’s too close, it’s too different,” Murray told the Sunday Herald Sun.

“Novak and I are very competitive people. Both of us ultimately want to win. I think competitive people can put their egos aside and find a way to help each other.”

Murray, 37, retired from tennis after the Paris Olympics last year. His career includes 46 singles titles win, two Olympic gold medals, a US Open and two Wimbledon victories.

In a candid sit-down interview, Sir Andy spoke about showing his lighter side in a new campaign for Uber Eats, and a grumpy and defensive past in the early stages of his tennis career.

Murray, 37, retired from tennis after the Paris Olympics last year. Picture: Daniel Pockett/Getty Images

He also reflected on his underdog status as a coach on the eve of Djokovic’s 2025 Australian Open campaign.

“I have no coaching experience. I’m aware of that,” Murray said. “I’m not the most experienced coach in the tournament, but I have more experience of Novak’s game than anyone else.

“I’ve played against him 35 times. I know his game very well,” Murray added. “What I need to do is see the game through his eyes. That’s the biggest challenge for me, and something I I’m trying to embrace.

“Hopefully, I’m able to give him a bit more clarity on how he should be playing and what his best tennis looks like.”

Murray will also work on strategies he knew, as a player, that made Djokovic “uncomfortable,” quickly adding: “He doesn’t have many.”

Murray also has the benefit of having competed against many of the players Djokovic will face in Melbourne.

“My understanding, from a strategic perspective, may be better than somebody who has not been on the tour for 20 years, and hasn’t played against these players,” Murray said. “I have some weaknesses as a coach — inexperience — but there are perspectives I have that none of the other coaches on the tour have got.”

Andy Murray plays a high octane spy on a Melbourne mission in a new campaign for Uber Eats. Picture: Supplied

Murray’s campaign for Uber Eats, which casts him as an action man being chased through the streets of Melbourne, premieres on Sunday.

The Scottish star said he agreed to do the commercial to show a different side of himself.

“I’d like to think I’ve got a good sense of humour, and I can laugh at myself,” Murray said. “A lot of people who watched me play tennis would think I’m quite serious all the time. But, away from the court, I’m not like that. The early part of my career, I was seen as being serious, grumpy… quite defensive.

“It’s hard,” Murray said. “I went from playing in front of nobody — as an 18-year-old — to playing at Wimbledon on centre court in the space of a few weeks. All of a sudden, you’ve got all of this attention. At the beginning, it’s nice, but then it’s hard.

“You’re never really prepared for it. People are commenting on the way you talk, the way you look, the way you behave, all of these things. It’s difficult. It was challenging for a few years, until I started to know myself a bit better and feel comfortable in my own skin.

Originally published as ‘Both of us want to win’: Tennis legend Andy Murray opens up about coaching Novak Djokovic