Tennis icon Jimmy Connors has shared his thoughts on Novak Djokovic’s surprising decision to bring Andy Murray on board as his new coach, offering insights into how the partnership might impact Djokovic’s performance moving forward.
Connors, an eight-time Grand Slam champion, believes that Murray’s presence could help Djokovic feel more at ease and “relaxed” as they embark on this unexpected collaboration. Last month, Djokovic and Murray sent shockwaves through the tennis world when they announced their alliance, a pairing that many did not see coming.
The duo, who spent years as fierce rivals, faced each other 36 times between 2006 and 2017, with Djokovic holding a dominant 25-11 head-to-head record. Despite their intense rivalry on the court, the two have developed a mutual respect. Now, as Murray steps into the Serbian’s coaching box for the 2025 Australian Open, their relationship is evolving into a new dynamic.
Djokovic himself opened up about the surprising nature of the decision in an interview with Sky Sports. “We were going through different names and I realised the perfect coach for me at this point would be someone who has been through the experiences that I’m going through—possibly a multiple Grand Slam winner, former No. 1,” he explained. After considering various options, the idea of working with Andy Murray came to the forefront, leading to an intriguing discussion among Djokovic and his team.
He continued, “It was still a shock decision. It caught him a little bit off guard as well because he wasn’t expecting it, so we connected really fast and he accepted after a few days. I couldn’t be more excited about it. This collaboration is a surprise to me as well, to everyone. But it’s exciting for tennis.”
For Connors, this partnership between Djokovic and Murray makes perfect sense, especially as both players have shared so many battles on the court. Reflecting on their rivalry and the impact of Murray’s coaching potential, Connors said on the Advantage Connors podcast, “I think it enters a comfort zone. They have competed against each other, they know each other’s game, they’ve spent time together—not only on the court, playing great matches—but also off the court.”
Connors believes that as players age, creating a comfortable and relaxed environment becomes essential. “There comes a point in time in your later years where, if you feel comfortable and feel relaxed with the people around you, that allows you to go out and attempt to play your best tennis and give it your all,” he said. For a seasoned veteran like Djokovic, this comfort could be key to unlocking his full potential.
He added, “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. Your mind changes, your outlook changes, your feelings change. If you can go and be more relaxed going into the tennis, it allows you to play even better.”
Connors, however, did acknowledge that the arrangement could have uncertain outcomes. “Maybe that is a good thing. It also might only last a week, you don’t know,” he remarked. “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.”
The partnership between Djokovic and Murray, while surprising, carries significant potential. As both veterans look ahead to the challenges of the 2025 season, the dynamic between them could be a game-changer in Djokovic’s pursuit of continued success at the highest level.