‘This is a problem’ – Andy Murray warned he’s clinging to the past as Brit tennis legend teams up with Novak Djokovic
WHAT A DJOK-E ‘This is a problem’ – Andy Murray warned he’s clinging to the past as Brit tennis legend teams up with Novak Djokovic
ANDY MURRAY has been accused of clinging onto the past by a former rival after his decision to coach Novak Djokovic.
Murray, who retired from tennis in the summer, has agreed to coach former rival Novak Djokovic for the 2025 Australian Open.
Advertisement
Andy Murray will coach Novak Djokovic during the 2025 Australian Open
Andy Murray will coach Novak Djokovic during the 2025 Australian OpenCredit: PA
Alexander Bublik has criticised Murray’s decision to coach his former rival
Alexander Bublik has criticised Murray’s decision to coach his former rivalCredit: Alamy
But as much as most fans are excited at the prospect of seeing two tennis greats work together, world number 34 Alexander Bublik has voiced his concern over the partnership.
The Kazakhstani star, who lost three of his five matches against Murray, described the Scot’s decision as “a problem” in a recent interview.
He said: “Now he has joined Novak Djokovic’s team. These are attempts to grasp at something that no longer exists, to some echoes of the past. I think this is a problem.
“I hope that it will not be the same for me, but I cannot say for sure.
Advertisement
READ MORE IN TENNIS
NOT NICE NICK ‘Embarrassing’ Kyrgios slammed for ‘harassing’ 16-year-old son of tennis icon
NYD DRAW Win a Lamborghini or £300k cash alternative from just 71p with our discount code
“Maybe at the age of 36 I will go to the Challenger in Bangkok, but I still hope that I will leave with peace of mind.”
Bublik didn’t stop there with his criticism of Murray either.
The 27-year-old, who has never made it passed the fourth round of a Grand Slam event, took aim at the Brit and fellow tennis icon Rafa Nadal for taking too long to retire.
He said: “Yes, I want to leave at the peak. It is clear that I am not Rafa, my legacy will be much smaller, if it can be called such. What happened to Andy Murray and Rafa was a circus.
Advertisement
Most read in Sport
ALL THE MOVES Barca ‘eye Son move’, Rashford linked with shock loan, Trent ‘to Real’ latest
FOOTY TRAGEDY Footballer found dead in his bed aged 22 as ‘stunned’ club release statement
‘DON’T UNDERSTAND IT’ Amorim ‘mad’ as Utd earn impressive Anfield point after nightmare run
PHIL YER BOOTS Taylor tells Littler 2 things he needs to win 16 titles including good shoes
CASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITS
“I can’t call it anything else. People have achieved everything, even we tennis players looked at them with our mouths open in the locker room – and then you see one of them bald and old.
“It is clear that he is no longer the same and will never be the same.
Novak Djokovic appoints Andy Murray as his coach just months after tennis legend announced retirement
“In my opinion, this is even a shame, not a circus. Probably, it would be more correct to say so. Although Rafa still left normally.”
Advertisement
Murray will be in Djokovic’s corner for the Australian Open this month, with the Serbian set to get his tournament underway this week.
Djokovic has revealed that he “loves” working alongside Murray so far, highlighting his former rival’s ability to help him “gain an inch” on the court.
Tennis stars’ new careers
PLENTY of tennis stars have stayed involved in the sport since retiring.But others pursued very different careers. Here are some of the best…
I reached French Open and Wimbledon finals as a teenager but I quit to become a nun
I won Wimbledon mixed doubles with my sister but got fed up with English weather so now run luxury B&B
I was tipped for stardom aged 12 but retrained to become high-flying lawyer
I earned £9m and won French Open before setting up bistro with Brazilian model girlfriend
I’m last Frenchman to win Roland Garros, now I’m singer with six albums hitting No1 in charts
I’m former world No1 but quit aged 29 – instead I went on to play professional poker and golf
I was destined for the top but swapped lobs for labs as award-winning Harvard physicist
Advertisement
Topics
Australian OpenAndy MurrayNovak Djokovic
Advertisement
You might like
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Follow The Sun
Sign Up To The Sun
About Us
Editorial Complaints
Policies and Ethics
Clarifications and Corrections
News Licensing
Advertising
Contact Us
Commissioning Terms
Help Hub
Topic A-Z
Cookie Settings
Contact Preferences
Sun Jobs
Shopping
How our Product Reviews team test our products
The Times & The Sunday Times
Pay to Reject
Do not sell or share my personal information
©News Group Newspapers Limited in England No. 679215 Registered office: 1 London Bridge Street, London, SE1 9GF. “The Sun”, “Sun”, “Sun Online” are registered trademarks or trade names of News Group Newspapers Limited. This service is provided on News Group Newspapers’ Limited’s Standard Terms and Conditions in accordance with our Privacy & Cookie Policy. To inquire about a licence to reproduce material, visit our Syndication site. View our online Press Pack. For other inquiries, Contact Us. To see all content on The Sun, please use the Site Map. The Sun website is regulated by the Independent Press Standards Organisation (IPSO)
Our journalists strive for accuracy but on occasion we make mistakes. For further details of our complaints policy and to make a complaint please click this link: thesun.co.uk/editorial-complaints/
