Ugo Humbert has expressed his excitement over Andy Murray’s return to tennis in a coaching capacity, highlighting how the three-time Grand Slam champion could play a crucial role in Novak Djokovic’s pursuit of more major titles in 2025.
Murray’s unexpected comeback to the ATP Tour comes just months after retiring from professional tennis, with his final match at the 2024 Paris Olympics. His new role as Djokovic’s coach was confirmed when the Serbian announced that Murray would be part of his team for the off-season and the Australian Open next year. For many, Murray’s transition from player to coach feels like a natural progression given his vast experience at the top level of the game.
For Djokovic, this coaching partnership could be exactly what he needs to bounce back after a less-than-ideal 2024 season. While he claimed three Grand Slam titles in 2023, the 24-time major champion struggled in the current year, failing to win any ATP titles. On a positive note, he fulfilled a lifelong dream by winning the Olympic gold in Paris, completing his Career Golden Slam. However, there were rumors circulating that Djokovic might retire following a season in which he finished without a major and dropped to No. 7 in the ATP rankings—his lowest position in several years.
Despite this, Humbert, currently ranked No. 14 in the world, believes it’s premature to count Djokovic out. “You should never bury Djokovic,” the Frenchman said, suggesting that Murray’s arrival could be just what Djokovic needs to challenge the rising stars of the sport—Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz.
Both Sinner and Alcaraz dominated this year’s Grand Slams, with Sinner claiming the Australian Open and US Open titles, while Alcaraz triumphed at the French Open and Wimbledon. Humbert thinks that Murray’s experience could provide Djokovic with the keys to break down the young duo’s dominance.
“Murray has troubled Djokovic many times during his career, so he could give him valuable insights on how to unlock the solutions to beat Sinner and Alcaraz, who are currently the top performers in the Grand Slam tournaments,” Humbert explained. “Djokovic still has the hunger to win big titles, and he believes that Murray is the right person to help him achieve that.”
Humbert also emphasized that Djokovic is far from finished. “You should never underestimate him,” Humbert added. “I believe he knows exactly what he’s doing, and we’ll have to stay vigilant. I’m really excited about this partnership, and it’s going to be great for tennis to see Murray in Djokovic’s corner.”
With this exciting new collaboration, the tennis world will be keen to see how Djokovic and Murray work together and whether it propels the Serbian legend back to the top of the sport.