‘Imagine Messi as Ronaldo’s coach’: Daniil Medvedev while discussing Novak Djokovic and Andy Murray | Tennis News – Newz9

Novak Djokovic and Andy Murray’s connection spans 25 years, ranging from their junior tennis days. Their rivalry consists of 36 skilled matches and 10 Grand Slam encounters. However, till not too long ago, they hadn’t engaged in open conversations about tennis or private issues.
This modified when Djokovic invited the not too long ago retired Murray to teach him, not less than for the Australian Open.
“I must say, at the beginning, it was a bit of a strange feeling to be able to share the insights with him, not just about the game but about how I feel, about life in general. Not in a negative way, but just in a way I have never done that with him, because he was always one of my greatest rivals,” Djokovic mentioned Friday.
Djokovic defined that their earlier rivalry prevented such open communication.
“We were always kind of hiding things from each other. Now all cards are open on the table.”
This surprising partnership shocked the tennis world in November when Djokovic contacted Murray concerning the teaching risk.
Two rivals at the moment are united. Daniel Medvedevthe 2021 US Open champion, in contrast the scenario to a hypothetical soccer situation.
“Imagine,” Medvedev mentioned, “(if Lionel) messi would become the coach of Cristiano Ronaldo. It would be strange.”
The sight of Murray teaching Djokovic throughout apply classes is certainly uncommon.
Both gamers are thought-about tennis legends.
Djokovic holds a males’s document of 24 Grand Slam titlestogether with 10 Australian Open championships. He additionally holds the document for many weeks at No. 1 within the ATP rankings.
Murray has reached the highest rating, received three main singles titles, and been a Grand Slam runner-up eight instances. Five of these remaining losses have been in opposition to Djokovic, 4 of which occurred on the Australian Open. Murray is the one tennis participant with two Olympic singles gold medals.
“Could never quite get over the line (in Melbourne), unfortunately. This man was single-handedly responsible for that. So I’m now here to try and sabotage his chances of winning another one,” Murray joked.
Murray described his shock upon receiving Djokovic’s teaching request.
“Novak asked me to help him; I was shocked,” mentioned Murray, whose final match as a participant got here on the Paris Olympics in August. “I was obviously not expecting that when he called.”
Both gamers are 37 years previous, born per week aside in May 1987. Djokovic leads their head-to-head document 25-11 total and 8-2 in Grand Slams.
However, Murray’s two victories in opposition to Djokovic have been vital: the 2012 US Open remaining (his first main title) and the 2013 Wimbledon remaining, ending a 77-12 months drought for a British man successful the singles title at Wimbledon.
“We thought we’d give it a go and see if I can help,” Murray mentioned.
Murray acknowledged Djokovic’s standing as not only a high tennis participant however a high athlete total.
“Novak is not just one of the best tennis players of all-time. He’s one of the best athletes of all-time. I expected him to be an extremely hard worker. Very diligent. Always looking to improve.”
Djokovic parted methods with coach Goran Ivanisevic in March 2024 after successful 12 Grand Slam titles collectively. He hasn’t appointed a everlasting alternative since then.
The period of Djokovic and Murray’s teaching partnership is unsure.
They spent simply over per week collectively through the offseason and lower than per week in Melbourne earlier than the Australian Open.
“I was thinking about the names that I would like to have next to me for this season. I wanted to have somebody that won multiple Slams. The list is not that long. Somebody that really understands what it means to win a Slam, what it means to face the adversity, the pressure, the expectations,” Djokovic mentioned.
Djokovic elaborated on the explanations behind his determination to method Murray.
“Andy just finished his playing career six months ago. It was somewhat of a surprise for him when I called him,” Djokovic added. “But I think his tennis IQ is very high. We all know that.”