What a former top player text straight after hearing Novak Djokovic hired Andy Murray as new coach as ‘statement’ made
What a former top player text straight after hearing Novak Djokovic hired Andy Murray as new coach as ‘statement’ made
George Patten
George Patten
Tue 26 November 2024 19:00, UK
Andy Murray will join Novak Djokovic’s coaching set-up ahead of the 2025 Australian Open.
24-times a Grand Slam champion, Djokovic isn’t done searching for success, as he has made another huge move ahead of the 2024 season.
Murray will join Djokovic’s team as a coach ahead of next year’s Australian Open, as the pair look to achieve more Grand Slam success.
Novak Djokovic of Serbia talks with Andy Murray of Great Britain before their practice match ahead of the 2019 Australian Open at Melbourne Park on…
Photo by Michael Dodge/Getty Images
Murray retired from tennis earlier this year, having won three Major titles during his career, one of which came against Djokovic in the 2013 Wimbledon final.
Djokovic struggled for form at points on the ATP Tour in 2024, with many suggesting the 37-year-old could be slowing down.
One former player, however, has said that the Serb’s decision to bring in Murray is a big statement of intent.
Jon Wertheim says a former top player texted him saying Novak Djokovic hiring Andy Murray is an ‘act of war’
Speaking on Andy Roddick’s podcast, Jon Wertheim revealed what happened when he initially heard the news of Murray and Djokovic’s new partnership.
“I saw the announcement, and at first you sort of chuckle and say, oh hey, maybe it’s a bit of a novelty, maybe it’s a bit of a publicity stunt,” he said.
“Then I got a text from someone who is a former player of repute, who said this is an act of war.
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“This is Novak [Djokovic] saying, I’ve still got something in me, and I’m not done going down to the basement and tinkering.”
Wertheim then suggested why Murray could be the perfect coach for the 24-time Grand Slam champion.
Jon Wertheim
Photo by David Buchan/Penske Media via Getty Images
“I think there’s something here,” he said.
“I think that Andy Murray is an absolute genius tactician, it’s not just that Murray knows the field, the guy was an active player 90 days ago, he knows Novak from the juniors too.
“Andy Murray is capable of adjusting his tactics to Novak’s game and I also think we could’ve told you ten 15 years ago, that this guy will be a great coach one day, so this is completely logical.”
The American went on to explain what Murray may be able to bring to the table that his current coach would struggle with.
“Novak’s coach for a lot of this year was a lovely guy, Carlos Gomez, who was his hitting partner, and has a base in Spain,” said Wertheim.
Carlos Gomez-Herrera, hitting partner of Novak Djokovic looks on from the players box during the round four singles match against Adrian Mannarino …
Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images
“His career-high ranking was 268, and you just wonder if you are taking instructions from someone like that if you are Novak, do you not at some level say, this is all good to say, but you’ve never really been there.
“Andy Murray’s been there, Andy Murray knows what it’s like to play in Major finals and to try and wring a few more years out of your career late in the game.
“You sort of step back and say this makes all the sense in the world, and I think it’s kind of genius.
“I think this is really kind of a statement.”
Who has been Novak Djokovic’s best head coach?
With Murray set to join Djokovic’s coaching team it will be interesting to see just how much success the pair can achieve together.
The Serb has often had a busy box, with a number of coaches offering up opinions, all to varying degrees of success.
But who has been Djokovic’s best head-coach in his career to date?
Years coached Name Grand Slam titles Peak ranking
2022-2024 Goran Ivanisevic 4 1
2017-2022 Marian Vajda 8 1
2014-2016 Boris Becker 6 1
2006-2014 Marian Vajda 6 1
2005-2006 Riccardo Piatti 0 39
Comparing Novak Djokovic’s head coaches
Marian Vajda is the head coach with which Djokovic has achieved the most success with, having taken home 14 Major titles together.
In fact, during Boris Becker’s time in charge, Vajda remained an integral part of the team, taking his tally to 20 Grand Slams.
Goran Ivanisevic and Becker both had outstanding success with the Serb as well, and Riccardo Piatti’s work in laying the groundwork for future success can’t be understated.
It remains to be seen how Murray will compare, but the buzz around the new partnership will certainly have fans tuning in to next year’s Australian Open.
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