Tennis great Novak Djokovic has signed former foe Andy Murray as his coach ahead of next year’s Australian Open. It’s an unlikely pairing; the ultimate late-career Hail Mary for the Djoker in his quest for an epic 25th grand slam title.
Even by the standards of his Melbourne theatrics, encompassing 10 titles and one lurid deportation saga, the enlistment of Andy Murray as his coach is a bolt from a clear-blue sky. It counts as the ultimate late-career Hail Mary: will it be the dream move, or will it blow up in their faces? Either way, it promises addictive viewing.
It is not so much the fact that they were born only seven days apart as the sense that each has helped define the other. You can see why, on paper, the tie-up appeals to both men. Murray needs greater fulfilment than being a gentleman of leisure in the Surrey stockbroker belt, aimlessly hacking his way around Wentworth.Djokovic, on the other hand, requires fresh impetus ahead of potentially his final season, a kindling of the fire as he attempts to surmount the age gap to Jannik Sinner, 23, and Carlos Alcaraz, 21, the two fearless wunderkinds who have usurped him at the summit.
The doubt is whether Murray can stay calm enough as a sounding board for Djokovic to deliver. His own coaching team required the patience of Job to deal with his mid-match outbursts, as he lacerated them for everything from poor shot selection to not applauding him loudly enough. Murray is, to put it politely, more of an open book. Yes, his tireless encouragement made him a wonderful Davis Cup team-mate. But in the egocentric world of grand slam singles, raw emotion on the sidelines can be a hindrance. Murray needs to suppress his wilder instincts, to recognise that stoicism can be a virtue.
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