Novak Djokovic’s collaboration with Andy Murray as his coach is set to continue at the upcoming Indian Wells and Miami Open tournaments. Murray, who retired as a player in August 2024, will be traveling to Indian Wells, California, on Monday for the BNP Paribas Open, which begins on Wednesday. Following that, he will also be part of Djokovic’s team for the Miami Open, which starts on March 19.
The partnership, which initially began on a trial basis, has now extended beyond the Australian Open, where they worked together earlier this year. Djokovic confirmed his desire to maintain the arrangement, stating that the collaboration would continue “indefinitely” for now.
“I expressed my desire to continue the collaboration with him, so I am really glad he did accept,” said Djokovic. “It’s indefinite in terms of how long we are going to work together, but we agreed we are going to work most likely in the States and then some clay-court tournaments and see how it goes after that.”
The news of Murray stepping into a coaching role came as a surprise to many, given the history between the two players. As former rivals, Djokovic and Murray faced each other 36 times in their careers, with Djokovic winning 25 of those encounters. They competed in multiple Grand Slam finals, including the 2012 US Open, 2013 and 2016 Wimbledon, and the 2016 Australian Open.
Murray’s transition from player to coach appears to be a natural progression, given his deep understanding of the game and his long-standing experience at the highest level. His insight into Djokovic’s playing style, coupled with his strategic acumen, is expected to add a fresh perspective to Djokovic’s game as the Serbian continues his pursuit of a record-extending 25th Grand Slam title.
At the Australian Open in January, Murray played a significant role in Djokovic’s campaign, which saw the world No. 1 reach the semi-finals before being forced to withdraw due to a hamstring injury. Despite the setback, their working relationship proved effective, prompting both to continue the collaboration.
Djokovic’s decision to bring Murray into his coaching setup is part of a broader effort to refine his game and maintain his dominance in men’s tennis. With rivals such as Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner emerging as formidable contenders, Djokovic is looking for every possible edge to stay ahead.
Murray’s coaching philosophy is expected to focus on tactical adjustments, match preparation, and mental resilience. His own career was defined by relentless determination, adaptability, and exceptional court coverage qualities that could be instrumental in helping Djokovic sustain his high level of performance.
Looking ahead, the Indian Wells and Miami Open tournaments will serve as crucial testing grounds for this new coaching partnership. Djokovic has previously enjoyed success at both events, winning five titles at Indian Wells and six in Miami. However, he has not won either tournament since 2016, making this year’s editions particularly significant in his quest to reclaim dominance in the ATP Masters 1000 circuit.
The clay-court season will follow soon after, and it remains to be seen whether Murray will continue coaching Djokovic through events like Monte Carlo, Madrid, and Rome, leading up to the French Open. Given Murray’s own success on clay, including his 2016 title in Rome and his runner-up finish at Roland Garros the same year, his input could be invaluable as Djokovic seeks to add another French Open trophy to his collection.
For Murray, this new chapter marks an intriguing shift in his tennis career. After battling injuries for years, he made the difficult decision to retire from professional play in 2024. His transition to coaching allows him to stay involved in the sport while imparting his wealth of knowledge to one of its greatest players.
As Djokovic and Murray embark on this unique collaboration, tennis fans will be eager to see how their dynamic evolves and whether it will lead to further success on the court. With Indian Wells and Miami serving as the first real tests of their ongoing partnership, the results could shape the trajectory of Djokovic’s season and possibly even influence Murray’s long-term future in coaching.
