Andy Murray has turned down opportunity to coach ‘top’ ATP and WTA players before agreeing to Novak Djokovic role
Andy Murray and Novak Djokovic are set to work with one another ahead of the 2025 Australian Open.
When news broke that Murray would be coaching Djokovic at next year’s Australian Open, the tennis world was left in a state of shock.
Just months after Murray’s retirement at the Paris Olympics, he is set to return to the sport in a big way, by joining the coaching team of the most successful player in the history of men’s tennis.
The Serb himself made headlines in the French capital earlier this year, as Djokovic won Olympic gold, beating Carlos Alcaraz in the final.
Gold medallist Novak Djokovic of Team Serbia (C), Silver Medallist Carlos Alcaraz of Team Spain (L), and Bronze Medallist Lorenzo Musetti of Team I…
Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images
A rare positive result in a tough season for the 37-year-old who will now be looking to get back on track with an exciting new partnership.
Djokovic led the head-to-head 25-11 in his rivalry with Murray, winning several Major finals against the Brit.
Murray did however score one of the biggest wins of his career against Djokovic, as he won the 2016 ATP Finals, to secure his spot as year-end number one.
An incredible rivalry with the makings of an equally incredible partnership, but Djokovic may not have been the first tennis star to ask Murray to join their coaching team.
Andy Roddick reveals Andy Murray said no to ‘top’ tennis stars before joining Novak Djokovic’s team
Speaking on his podcast, former world number one Andy Roddick revealed that Djokovic wasn’t the first tennis star to ask Murray to work together.
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“I’ve heard, and it’s not my place to say, top players male and female, [Andy] Murray has said no to many over these past four months,” he said.
“The other people who were asking were on the top of the pile too.
“They were high-high-high ranked men and women from what I’ve heard.”
Jon Wertheim then chimed in saying that Murray’s family may have helped convince him to finally say yes to becoming a coach.
Andy Murray (R) watches his brother Jamie in action alongside girlfriend Kim Sears (C)and mother, Judy Murray (L) during the doubles first round ma…
Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images
“I have heard the same thing,” he said.
“This is not the first player who has reached out to Murray.
“Murray’s family unit basically said you are going to regret it if you don’t do this.
“It’s also Australia, it isn’t like it’s Wimbledon and it’s like I’m going to be on-site anyway, it’s flying across different time zones and I was told that people very close to Murray essentially said we know you too well, go ahead and do it and see how it goes.”
Which ATP and WTA stars could’ve asked Andy Murray to be their coach?
Roddick may not have revealed who asked Murray to join their coaching setup but there are a few names that immediately spring to mind.
Alexander Zverev
Fresh off a career-best year in 2024, Alexander Zverev may well have been on the phone to Murray, asking him to help out.
The German is still yet to win a Grand Slam, despite reaching a number of finals, something that the former world number one could relate to, having won his first Major title after losing his first four finals.
Zverev is currently coached by his father, having encountered problems with David Ferrer, and Carlos Alcaraz’s coach Juan Carlos Ferrero in the past.
Coach Juan Carlos Ferrero (L) and Alexander Zverev of Germany during a training session prior to the Nitto ATP World Tour Finals at O2 Arena on Nov…
Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images
Reports of attitude issues could well have persuaded Murray to wait for a different offer.
Stefanos Tsitsipas
Stefanos Tsitsipas has proven himself to be one of the top players of his generation in recent years, reaching multiple Grand Slam finals, and winning several titles on the ATP Tour.
Things didn’t quite go to plan in 2024 however, as Tsitsipas fell to number 11 in the world, particularly struggling for form in the second half of the season.
Stefanos Tsitsipas of Greece leaves the center court against Alexander Zverev of Germany during day five of the Rolex Paris Masters 2024 on Novembe…
Photo by Tnani Badreddine/DeFodi Images via Getty Images
After working with his father and Patrick Mouratoglou in the past, Tsitsipas is now coached by Dimitris Chatzinikolaou, Greece’s Davis Cup captain, but would surely have loved to add the three-time Major winner to his team.
Iga Swiatek
The Polish star may not need a new coach anymore, with Iga Swiatek hiring Wim Fissette earlier this year, but it doesn’t seem too farfetched to suggest that she may have been one to call up the Brit before making that appointment.
Iga Swiatek of Poland and coach Wim Fissettte walk to practice ahead of WTA Finals Riyadh as part of the Hologic WTA Tour 2024 at King Saud Univers…
Photo by Robert Prange/Getty Images
Swiatek had publicly announced that she was looking at ‘foreign’ coaches, after splitting with fellow Pole Tomasz Wiktorowski, and Murray certainly fits the bill.
The world number two had a stellar year on the WTA tour, picking up another French Open title, but may have been looking to former-Wimbledon and US Open Champion Murray, to help her achieve more success throughout the year.
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