November 28, 2024Andy Murray, ATP Tennis Players, Novak Djokovic, Tennis News
Andy Murray ‘said no to many’ players before Novak Djokovic claims former World No.1
Andy Murray rejected multiple top ATP and WTA stars before accepting to coach Novak Djokovic according to former World No.1 Andy Roddick, who has revealed what he believes their partnership will bring.
Murray made the shock announcement last week that he would be working with his former rival in the off-season and upto the Australian Open.
This will be the Brit’s first coaching job after retiring at the Paris Olympics earlier this year, as he looks to guide Djokovic to a record 25th Grand Slam title in Melbourne.
He never liked retirement anyway. 🙌 pic.twitter.com/Ga4UlV2kQW
— Novak Djokovic (@DjokerNole) November 23, 2024
Unsurprisingly the announcement of their partnership gained lots of attraction, and Roddick has explained why he believes Murray chose to take this job on.
“Why would you not do this? If you can convince Murray to say yes on a short timeline,” the American said on his Served with Andy Roddick Podcast. “And by the way, I’ve also heard, it’s not my business to tell, top players, male, female. Murray has said no to many over these last four months.
“The other people that were asking were on the top of the pile too, right? Like they were high, high, high, high, high ranks, men and women, from what I’ve heard.”
Djokovic has had a mixed 2024 season, going without a Grand Slam title for the first time in seven years, but winning an elusive gold medal at the Paris Olympics.
Two of Djokovic’s big losses this year have come to World No.1 Jannik Sinner, who has actually claimed three of the past four victories in their head-to-head.
And Roddick has suggested that Murray may be able to help Djokovic swing the momentum in this head-to-head, “The other undersold part of this story that I haven’t heard this reaction yet is: ‘Okay, so Novak’s Tyson forever, right? Like he walks in, can blow you off the court, can play defense, can do all of these things, right? Is he still the best ball striker on earth?
“We don’t know. I don’t know. Sinner’s probably taking that. Like if Sinner’s younger, can create probably more speed at this point. Doesn’t mean that he’s overall a better player, but just what did Murray spend the last five years of his career doing? Problem solving for what you have lost.”
He added, “That struggle that Murray went through is of value to Novak at this age. I think it’s gonna be great for both of them because they’re both like, and I say this in the nicest way possible, students of the game, big tennis nerds, right? I think Murray might have the highest tennis IQ that I’ve seen and been around.”
Djokovic recently confirmed that he would return to official competition in the first week of the 2025 season, despite not entering the United Cup.
Inside the baseline…
After Andy Murray retired and revealed his intention to turn to coaching, it is unsurprising that he had many people requesting to join forces with them. However, after travelling the world for so many years this short-term partnership with Novak Djokovic seems like a sensible idea to ease himself in and not be travelling the tour week in and week out. Jannik Sinner appears to be the big problem for Djokovic on tour these days, and Murray is going to need to muster up a strong plan if his player is going to win an 11th Australian Open title in January.
READ NEXT: Novak Djokovic to play Juan Martin del Potro in ‘goodbye’ exhibition
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By Matthew Johns
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About the Author / Matthew Johns
Matthew Johns, Tennishead Writer, is a professional tennis journalist with a specialist degree in Sports Journalism. He’s a keen tennis player having represented his local club and University plus he’s also a qualified tennis coach. Matthew has a deep knowledge of tennis especially the ATP Tour and thrives on breaking big tennis news stories for Tennishead.
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