L
The Novak Djokovic-Andy Murray partnership has excited fans for all the right reasons. While the Serb is currently in Qatar for other work commitments, he’s still under the watchful eye of his new coach, who firmly believes the Serb should focus on his game rather than enjoying a Middle Eastern vacation. Amid their lighthearted banter, the tennis world got a glimpse of a deep friendship which makes them eager to see what exciting developments their collaboration will bring the next year.
Watch What’s Trending Now!
Djokovic is having a gala time in Qatar. Recently appointed as Qatar Airways’ Global Ambassador at the Altitude Wellness Center in the Al Maha Qatar Airways Crew Accommodation Building, the former ATP number one experienced the airline’s fleet, including their iconic A380, and reunited with an old tennis academy friend who is now a pilot for the company. However, Djokovic’s Middle Eastern adventure didn’t end there. The Serb visited the McLaren garage during the first and only practice session of the 2024 season’s penultimate round. Adding more excitement, he met with another old friend and popular Mercedes driver George Russell, and shared snippets of their fun conversation. Their lively encounter delighted fans. However, Djokovic’s new coach for the upcoming Melbourne major, Andy Murray had a quirky response to the Serb’s social media post.
The Mercedes AMG Petronas F1 team shared a photo of Djokovic and Russell on IG, where the Serb posed with car gear alongside Russell. In the next image, the two athletes are caught in a candid conversation. Sharing the photos, the team’s IG page wrote, “Idemo Nole 💪 Ace to welcome you into the team today, @djokernole 🎾.” They also tagged both Russell and Djokovic. However, Andy Murray, Djokovic’s former rival and now coach stole the spotlight with his cheeky yet light-hearted comment: “He should be on the practice court 😮🙂,” wrote Murray hinting that their training session is already off the ground. Djokovic playfully replied, “@andymurray Sorry coach, I will be back soon 😂,” showcasing how their friendship is the foundation of their partnership.
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
View this post on Instagram
A post shared by Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS F1 Team (@mercedesamgf1)
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
Poll of the day
Poll 1 of 6
Is Novak Djokovic’s off-court camaraderie with Andy Murray and George Russell a distraction or a boost to his game?
It’s a distraction
It’s a boost
It’s all part of the game
Not sure
How do you feel about Rafael Nadal’s retirement from tennis?
It’s the end of an era
I’m devastated, he’s irreplaceable
Excited to see new talent emerge
Indifferent, it’s just part of the sport
Whats your Perspective on:
Have an interesting take?
Join The Debate
Is Coco Gauff’s family support the secret ingredient to her success on the tennis court?
Absolutely, family is everything
Partially, talent is key
No, it’s all her hard work
Not sure
Do you believe Alexis Ohanian’s investment in women’s sports will revolutionize the industry?
Yes, it’s a game-changer
No, it’s overhyped
It depends on execution
Not sure
Does Coco Gauff’s feature on the Wheaties box make her a true champion both on and off the court?
Absolutely, she’s an inspiration
No, it’s just marketing
She’s getting there
Not sure
AD
The Murray-Djokovic collaboration is now one of the most-discussed topics. On the Tennis Podcast, British commentator and tennis journalist David Law spoke about the value of the Murray-Djokovic partnership. “Well, I tell you what, he will definitely have a hell of a chance now, compared to before the post was made. I don’t think it’s going to make some otherworldly difference to his game, but there will be tweaks,” Law said, suggesting that while Murray’s influence may not entirely change Djokovic’s playstyle, the Briton’s strategic adjustments could help the Serb secure another Grand Slam title before retirement.
While Djokovic is already gearing up for the next year, his off-season fun is far from over. Meeting two old pals in Qatar made his trip even more exciting. For those unfamiliar, Russell and Djokovic’s friendship began when the Briton accidentally met the tennis legend at a gym. Their casual encounter turned into a memorable moment – eventually leading to them walking home side by side. Over time, their bond strengthened to the point where Russell and his girlfriend, Carmen Mundt, attended Wimbledon this year to cheer for the former ATP number one. Interestingly, Djokovic even offered the Mercedes driver some relationship advice! Sounds intriguing?
When Novak Djokovic helped George Russell with relationship advice
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
In the 2024 Wimbledon, Djokovic had the support of his friend George Russell and Carmen Mundt, Russell’s girlfriend who cheered for him. Post-match, they shared a fun conversation, during which Djokovic asked Mundt if her beau spoke good Spanish. When Mundt admitted that Russell’s Spanish wasn’t great, the Serb playfully inquired, “If you speak to him in Spanish, does it mean you’re upset?” When Mundt confirmed the case being so, Djokovic turned to Russell, teasingly inadvertently offering his pal a pro hack for figuring out when his girlfriend might be mad. This interesting exchange showcased a side of the ATP legend rarely seen on the court, showcasing his close friendship with Russell.
Djokovic’s trip to Qatar has been a perfect blend of work and fun. From partnering with Qatar Airways as their Global Ambassador to attending F1 practice sessions, he has brilliantly balanced work with personal enjoyment. His Qtar trip showcases that a business trip can easily transform into a memorable experience when approached with the right mindset. Do you agree with it?
Share this with a friend:
Written by
Upasana Banerjee
2,083
Articles
Serving Tennis Narratives
Upasana Banerjee is a Tennis Writer at EssentiallySports. Armed with a degree in Comparative Literature, she excels at weaving narratives and brining unique perspective to a graceful sport like Tennis. Whether it is dissecting player strategies or reflecting on timeless themes, Upasana’s deep-rooted passion for the sport allows her to share insights and expert takes on any topic she covers.
Know more
Edited by
Reyan Mishra
logo
EssentiallySports is a digital-first sports media house that surfaces the best stories on America’s favorite sports celebrities with a fan’s perspective to 30+ M average monthly readers.
Sports
All
Boxing
Golf
NASCAR
NBA
NFL
Tennis
UFC
WNBA
College Football
Track and Field
Gymnastics
Olympics
MLB
Soccer
Swimming
EssentiallySports
About Us
Advertise With Us
Authors
Editorial Team
Behind The Scenes
Humans of EssentiallySports
Contact Us
FAQs
Our Brands
FanCast
On The Ropes
Bodybuilding Bros
Club Golf
Lucky Dog on Track
Privacy Policy
ES Pressroom
Eth
ics Policy
Fact-Checking Policy
Corrections Policy
Cookies Policy
GDPR Compliance
Terms of Use
Editorial Guidelines
Ownership and funding Information
Full Spectrum Services LLP © 2024 | All Rights Reserved
