Jimmy Connors thinks there are ways in which Andy Murray can help Novak Djokovic but the American tennis legend also highlights that there are no guarantees that this will be a successful partnership or something that will last beyond a week.
In early October, Serbian Davis Cup team captain Viktor Troicki told local reporters that the record 24-time Grand Slam champion was set to hire a really big name. However, the Serb hiring one of the biggest rivals – who retired just four months earlier – was probably not in anybody’s cards for the 2025 season.
Initially, the entire tennis community was left stunned, with the majority being also excited at the same time. On the other side, some were critical of the partnership, describing it as something that was done rather for entertainment purposes.
But knowing Djokovic and his desire to achieve success, that theory was quickly debunked by many.
Connors, a former eight-time Grand Slam champion, believes Murray’s presence could bring the sense of “comfort” to the 37-year-old because they know each other extremely well tennis-wise. And if that’s the case, that could possibly help the Serb compete better against the likes of Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz next year.
“I think it enters a comfort zone. They have competed against each other, they know each other’s game, they have spent time together – not only on the court, playing great matches – but also off the court. There comes a point in time in your later years where if you feel comfortable and relaxed with the people around you, that allows you to go out and attempt to play your best tennis and give it your all,” the American tennis legend said on the Advantage Connors podcast.
Jimmy Connors© © YouTube screenshot
Connors on the Djokovic – Murray collab: You have to give it a shot but it may only last a week…
When they announced the news, it was specifically mentioned that they would be joining forces for the Australian Open. In the meantime, the former world No. 1 also signed up to play the Brisbane International, which takes place in the first week of 2025.
However, according to reports from British media, Murray won’t be in Brisbane. In that case, their debut would come at Melbourne Park – as initially planned.
Should Djokovic do well at the Australian Open, it would be hard not to see the Briton being a part of his team in some other Grand Slams in 2025. But if the Serb doesn’t do well in Melbourne, the question would be what happens next with their collaboration.
“The older you get, it’s tougher to push yourself. You look at Djoker and he does everything to get himself in prime condition. If he’s around someone who he feels comfortable with now – not that those in the past he didn’t feel comfortable with – but as you get older, things change,” Connors added.
“Your mind changes, your outlook changes, your feelings change and all that. If you can go and be more relaxed going into tennis, it allows you to play even better. Maybe that is a good thing, (but) it also might only last a week, you don’t know. You have to give it a shot though, I like what he is doing. He is doing whatever he can to go another year at the right level.”
Novak Djokovic and Andy Murray© YouTube screenshot
Why Djokovic hired Murray in first place?
In April, the record 24-time Major winner made a big call and decided to part ways with his coach of six years Goran Ivanisevic. In the rest of the year, he didn’t have a full-time coach but was assisted by some of the coaches from the Serbian Tennis Federation.
And when Djokovic decided to hire someone again, he wanted it to be someone who knew him and could understand him perfectly. When he gave a call to Murray, the former two-time Wimbledon champion was surprised. But after only a few days, he accepted the offer.
“I wanted to take my time to find out whether I needed a new coach or not. The decision was yes, but it had to be a tennis legend. Since I was very young, I have played against him… and there are not many people who have won multiple Grand Slam titles. Andy has known me since I was very young, from the age of 12 or 13. He knows my game and everything that I have been through very well. He knows the things that are wrong with my game, all of my mistakes,” the Serb explained.
It will be interesting to see how the Djokovic and Murray partnership kicks off at the Australian Open.
Tennis World USA