Andy Murray humorously revealed his “secret mission” to sabotage Novak Djokovic’s chances of securing an 11th Australian Open title and his 25th Grand Slam. This came during their first joint interview since Djokovic’s unexpected decision to hire Murray as his coach for the Australian Open. The announcement surprised the tennis world, given their past rivalry. The duo discussed this dynamic at the charity exhibition event, “A Night with Novak,” where both participated alongside other tennis stars.
Murray jokingly referred to his role as payback for Djokovic’s dominance over him in Melbourne. The two have faced each other five times at the Australian Open, with Djokovic emerging victorious in all encounters, including four finals and one semi-final. Reflecting on those memories, Murray humorously quipped, “I’m here to sabotage his chances of winning another one.”
During the charity event, Djokovic played Alexander Zverev in the opening match, with Murray later taking the court to reminisce about his experiences at the Australian Open. Meanwhile, Zverev, who is pursuing his first Grand Slam title, shared his reaction to the Murray-Djokovic collaboration, admitting, “What did I think? S***.” He acknowledged that Djokovic’s remarkable record of 24 Grand Slam titles makes him formidable regardless of who coaches him.
Murray and Djokovic have also been training together in Melbourne, preparing for Djokovic’s first-round match against Nishesh Basavareddy. Murray reflected on his coaching experience, praising Djokovic’s work ethic and dedication. He described Djokovic as “one of the best athletes of all time,” noting that his meticulous approach to improvement met his expectations.
The charity event included an exhibition doubles match where Murray downplayed his current playing ability, humorously admitting, “I’m dreadful at tennis now. I’ve hardly hit a ball for the last few months.” Despite this, he urged the audience to support him during the match against Djokovic.
The event was a blend of humor, nostalgia, and competitive spirit, setting the stage for the Australian Open while offering a glimpse into the evolving dynamic between two of tennis’ greatest players.