Andy Murray has explained the difficulty he faced with the technical aspect of coaching his former rival Novak Djokovic.
The three-time Grand Slam champion was surprisingly hired by the Serbian legend in November ahead of the 2025 season.
3
Murray and Djokovic formed an unlikely partnership at the end of 2024Credit: Getty
After Djokovic retired from his Australian Open semi-final against Alexander Zverev due to injury, the pair’s split was announced in May – two weeks before the French Open.
Murray is yet to return to coaching, whilst his former student remains competitive on the ATP Tour at the veteran age of 38.
Speaking to The Tennis Mentor, the Scotsman was asked on what he learned about himself during his spell with one of the all-time tennis greats.
“I think, first of all, you learn a lot about your weaknesses,” he replied. “I think a lot of ex-players… It’s very different being a player and a coach, which I expected.
“Obviously when you’re working with someone at that level, it probably shows up your strengths, but also your weaknesses as well, as a coach.
“Something I’d say most ex-players are sort of weak at is the technical side of the game.
“At times, Novak was looking for quite a lot of technical feedback, it was something that I didn’t really feel comfortable with, in terms of how to teach somebody technique.
“I think coaches that work with younger players and are used to doing that are actually stronger than a lot of the coaches that work on tour.
“Because once a player is sort of 20, 22-years-old, you’re not trying to overhaul their game and their technique, it’s like little changes here and there.
“So that was something that I definitely, if I was going to coach again in the future, I would want to work on and learn from someone who’s very good at that.
3
Murray says he wasn’t sure what technical advice to give to DjokovicCredit: AFP
“Louis Cayer is one of the coaches that I worked with during my career on the technical side, who is fantastic.
“He’s someone I’ve reached out to since my time with Novak to talk about potentially getting some coaching for my coaching on that side of things.”
Murray then commented on a potential coaching return, saying: “I think I would if it was the right sort of project.
“I would probably enjoy working with a younger player and sort of trying to influence them from a younger age. Obviously try to help any of the British players if they want and it works out just now.
“But I think I would coach again in the future, I’m just not sure if that will be in the immediate future.
“I was not planning on going back on the road when Novak called, it wasn’t something that…
3
The pair had their fair share of battles in major tournamentsCredit: Getty
“I wasn’t missing tennis and desperate to get back on the road, but it was a pretty unique opportunity.
“But I think at some stage, I would like to do it again.”
Djokovic has worked with Dusan Vemic and Boris Bosnjakovic in his coaching team since the split with Murray.
The duo met 36 times on the court, with Djokovic winning 25 of their matches from 2006 to 2017.
Andy Murray vs Novak Djokovic – All results
2006 Madrid Open – Last 16 – DJOKOVIC won 1-6 7-5 6-3
2007 Indian Wells Open – Semi-finals – DJOKOVIC won 6-2 6-3
2007 Miami Open – Semi-finals – DJOKOVIC won 6-1 6-0
2008 Monte-Carlo Masters – Last 16 – DJOKOVIC won 6-0 6-4
2008 Canadian Open – Quarter-finals – MURRAY won 6-3 7-6 [7-3]
2008 Cincinnati Open – Final – MURRAY won 7-6 [7-4] 7-6 [7-5]
2009 Miami Open – Final – MURRAY won 6-2 7-5
2011 Australian Open – Final – DJOKOVIC won 6-4 6-2 6-3
2011 Italian Open – Semi-finals – DJOKOVIC won 6-1 3-6 7-6 [7-2]
2011 Cincinnati Open – Final – MURRAY won 6-4 3-0 ret.
2012 Australian Open – Semi-finals – DJOKOVIC won 6-3 3-6 6-7 [4-7] 6-1 7-5
2012 Dubai Tennis Championships – Semi-finals – MURRAY won 6-2 7-5
2012 Miami Open – Final – DJOKOVIC won 6-1 7-6 [7-4]
2012 Olympics – Semi-finals – MURRAY won 7-5 7-5
2012 US Open – Final – MURRAY won 7-6 [12-10] 7-5 2-6 3-6 6-2
2012 Shanghai Masters – Final – DJOKOVIC won 5-7 7-6 [13-11] 6-3
2012 ATP Finals – Round-robin – DJOKOVIC won 4-6 6-3 7-5
2013 Australian Open – Final – DJOKOVIC won 6-7 [2-7] 7-6 [7-3] 6-3 6-2
2013 Wimbledon – Final – MURRAY won 6-4 7-5 6-4
2014 Miami Open – Quarter-finals – DJOKOVIC won 7-5 6-3
2014 US Open – Quarter-finals – DJOKOVIC won 7-6 [7-1] 6-7 [1-7] 6-2 6-4
2014 China Open – Semi-finals – DJOKOVIC won 6-3 6-4
2014 Paris Masters – Quarter-finals – DJOKOVIC won 7-5 6-2
2015 Australian Open – Final – DJOKOVIC won 7-6 [7-5] 6-7 [4-7] 6-3 6-0
2015 Indian Wells Open – Semi-finals – DJOKOVIC won 6-2 6-3
2015 Miami Open – Final – DJOKOVIC won 7-6 [7-3] 4-6 6-0
2015 French Open – Semi-finals – DJOKOVIC won 6-3 6-3 5-7 5-7 6-1
2015 Canadian Open – Final – MURRAY won 6-4 4-6 6-3
2015 Shanghai Masters – Semi-finals – DJOKOVIC won 6-1 6-3
2015 Paris Masters – Final – DJOKOVIC won 6-2 6-4
2016 Australian Open – Final – DJOKOVIC won 6-1 7-5 7-6 [7-3]
2016 Madrid Open – Final – DJOKOVIC won 6-2 3-6 6-3
2016 Italian Open – Final – MURRAY won 6-3 6-3
2016 French Open – Final – DJOKOVIC won 3-6 6-1 6-2 6-4
2016 ATP Finals – Final – MURRAY won 6-3 6-4
2017 Qatar Open – Final – DJOKOVIC won 6-3 5-7 6-4
2022 Madrid Open – Last 16 – DJOKOVIC won via walkover