‘Think about Messi as Ronaldo’s coach’: Daniil Medvedev whereas discussing Novak Djokovic and Andy Murray | Tennis Information – Instances of India

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. Nevertheless, 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 educate him, at the very least for the Australian Open.
“I need to say, at the start, it was a little bit of an odd feeling to have the ability to share the insights with him, not simply in regards to the recreation however about how I really feel, about life basically. Not in a destructive approach, however simply in a approach I’ve by no means completed that with him, as a result of he was at all times considered one of my biggest rivals,” Djokovic mentioned Friday.
Djokovic defined that their earlier rivalry prevented such open communication.
“We have been at all times type of hiding issues from one another. Now all playing cards are open on the desk.”
This surprising partnership stunned the tennis world in November when Djokovic contacted Murray in regards to the teaching chance.
Two rivals are actually united. Daniil Medvedev, the 2021 U.S. Open champion, in contrast the scenario to a hypothetical soccer situation.
“Think about,” Medvedev mentioned, “(if Lionel) Messi would grow to be the coach of Cristiano Ronaldo. It could be unusual.”
The sight of Murray teaching Djokovic throughout observe classes is certainly uncommon.
Each gamers are thought of tennis legends.
Djokovic holds a males’s report of 24 Grand Slam titles, together with 10 Australian Open championships. He additionally holds the report 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 occasions. 5 of these ultimate losses have been towards Djokovic, 4 of which occurred on the Australian Open. Murray is the one tennis participant with two Olympic singles gold medals.
“Might by no means fairly recover from the road (in Melbourne), sadly. This man was single-handedly chargeable for that. So I am now right here to try to sabotage his possibilities of profitable one other one,” Murray joked.
Murray described his shock upon receiving Djokovic’s teaching request.
“Novak requested me to assist him; I used to be shocked,” mentioned Murray, whose final match as a participant got here on the Paris Olympics in August. “I used to be clearly not anticipating that when he known as.”
Each gamers are 37 years outdated, born every week aside in Could 1987. Djokovic leads their head-to-head report 25-11 total and 8-2 in Grand Slams.
Nevertheless, Murray’s two victories towards Djokovic have been vital: the 2012 U.S. Open ultimate (his first main title) and the 2013 Wimbledon ultimate, ending a 77-year drought for a British man profitable the singles title at Wimbledon.
“We thought we would give it a go and see if I will help,” Murray mentioned.
Murray acknowledged Djokovic’s standing as not only a prime tennis participant however a prime athlete total.
“Novak is not only probably the greatest tennis gamers of all-time. He is probably the greatest athletes of all-time. I anticipated him to be a particularly exhausting employee. Very diligent. At all times seeking to enhance.”
Djokovic parted methods with coach Goran Ivanisevic in March 2024 after profitable 12 Grand Slam titles collectively. He hasn’t appointed a everlasting substitute since then.
The period of Djokovic and Murray’s teaching partnership is unsure.
They spent simply over every week collectively through the offseason and fewer than every week in Melbourne earlier than the Australian Open.
“I used to be serious about the names that I want to have subsequent to me for this season. I wished to have someone that received a number of Slams. The checklist shouldn’t be that lengthy. Any individual that basically understands what it means to win a Slam, what it means to face the adversity, the stress, the expectations,” Djokovic mentioned.
Djokovic elaborated on the explanations behind his choice to strategy Murray.
“Andy simply completed his taking part in profession six months in the past. It was considerably of a shock for him after I known as him,” Djokovic added. “However I feel his tennis IQ could be very excessive. Everyone knows that.”