The 24-time Grand Slam winner Novak Djokovic hopes that his partnership with long-time rival-turned-coach Andy Murray brings more than just enjoyment in his pursuit of the 11th Australian Open title.
In November last year, the Serbian, who was previously guided by Grand Slam champions Boris Becker and Goran Ivanisevic, announced that three-time Grand Slam winner Murray, who recently retired from the professional tennis, will be his coach.
After eight days of working together during the pre-season and most of this week in Melbourne, Murray will be sitting in Djokovic's coaching box for the first time in an official match when the 24-time Grand Slam winner meets 19-year-old American Nishesh Basavareddy in his opener on Januray 12.
He encourages me and inspires me to be spending time on the court. There's a lot of communication about every shot in the game, my game, tactics, mental approach, communication on the court during matches, practice sessions. He is very much meticulous; a very dedicated professional. So far, I've been enjoying this collaboration," Djokovic said to the reporters at Melbourne Park on Friday.
I think at the very beginning it's a bit of an odd feeling having to share the insights not only about the game but more so about my feelings, really, about life in general, not in a negative way or anything, just in a different way I've never done with him because he always was one of my biggest opponents.".
"We were always kind of hiding things from each other. Now all cards are open on the table. That's what he demands," he said.
Djokovic ended his 2024 campaign in Shanghai, losing the final of the ATP Masters 1000 to World No. 1 Jannik Sinner. Last year was the first time in more than four years that Djokovic hadn't won at least one major in a season, as he suffered a largely disappointing campaign marred by an injury in 2017. But he ended that run of majorless seasons in some style as he seized a long-cherished Olympic gold in Paris by beating Carlos Alcaraz in a two-tiebreaker final on clay.
37-year-old starts 2025 in Brisbane. He lost to Reilly Opelka in a straight-sets quarterfinal defeat, but Djokovic shall look to rebound at his most fruitful stop on Tour.
"Andy really has inspired myself and a lot of people around the world. I think that his unique perspective on my game is the fact that he has played me for 25 years. He knows the evolution of my game, I guess the weaknesses and strengths of my game.".
"He also knows the game, the tennis game, of the biggest players in the world right now because he has just recently retired as a player. I guess he's up to speed with what's happening on the tour," he added.
The Serb's opening round opponent Basavareddy, like Djokovic in 2005 making his Grand Slam debut, and the 10-time winner is keen to avoid the fate of 12 months ago, when another teen making his Slam debut, Dino Prizmic, pushed him beyond the four-hour mark in the first round at a major for the first time.
"I'm sure that he is going to be really pumped to make a statement," Djokovic said of Basavareddy. "I have to approach that match very seriously, like any other, and do my best to get a win. Also in the process, enjoy the nice moment of sharing the court with him."
Djokovic is hoping to win a record-extending 25th Grand Slam title - victory in Melbourne would also propel him into third place alongside Jimmy Connors 109 and behind Roger Federer 103 at the top of the list of men to win 100 tour-level titles.
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