London, England – May 13, 2025 – In a surprising turn of events just weeks before the prestigious French Open, tennis legend Novak Djokovic has parted ways with his coach, Andy Murray. The split comes after a six-month coaching partnership that began with high hopes but ultimately failed to ignite Djokovic’s 2025 season.
The tennis world was taken aback in November 2024 when Djokovic, a 24-time Grand Slam champion, announced that he had enlisted the recently retired Murray, his long-time rival on the court, as part of his coaching team. Murray, a three-time Grand Slam winner and former world number one who hung up his racquet after the 2024 Paris Olympics, entered the coaching realm for the first time with this collaboration.
Promising Start
The Djokovic-Murray partnership showed initial promise. Under Murray’s guidance, Djokovic reached the semifinals of the Australian Open in January, even defeating his young rival Carlos Alcaraz en route. However, his run was cut short by an injury that forced him to retire against Alexander Zverev.
Elusive Success
Since the Australian Open, Djokovic has struggled to find his peak form. He reached the final of the Miami Open but fell to Jakub Mensik. More recently, he suffered opening-match defeats at the Masters 1000 events in Monte Carlo and Madrid, raising concerns about his preparation for the clay-court season and the upcoming French Open. Notably, Djokovic is yet to win a title in 2025.
Mutual Agreement
In a statement released today, Murray’s representatives confirmed the end of the coaching relationship. Murray expressed his gratitude for the opportunity, saying, “Thanks to Novak for the unbelievable opportunity to work together and thanks to his team for all their hard work over the past six months. I wish Novak all the best for the rest of the season.”
Djokovic echoed this sentiment in a social media post, thanking Murray for his “hard work, fun & support over last six months on & off the court” and adding that he “really enjoyed deepening our friendship together.”
Looking Ahead
The decision comes at a crucial time, with the French Open commencing on May 25th. Djokovic, a three-time champion at Roland Garros, will now head to the clay-court Grand Slam without Murray in his corner. He has accepted a wildcard to play in the Geneva Open next week as part of his preparations. It remains to be seen who Djokovic will turn to as his next coach as he aims to regain his top form and pursue a record-extending 25th Grand Slam title.
Djokovic’s Coaching History
Throughout his illustrious career, Novak Djokovic has worked with several prominent coaches, including:
- Jelena Genčić: His first coach, who recognized his talent at a young age.
- Nikola Pilić: A former player who guided him during his junior years.
- Marián Vajda: A long-time coach who was instrumental in much of his success across multiple stints.
- Boris Becker: A former world number one who coached Djokovic for three successful seasons.
- Goran Ivanišević: Another former Wimbledon champion who helped Djokovic win multiple Grand Slam titles before their split in 2024.
Andy Murray’s Coaching Debut
While this partnership with Djokovic marked Andy Murray’s first official coaching role with a top player, he brings a wealth of experience from his own highly successful playing career. His insights into the game, particularly his tactical acumen and understanding of high-pressure situations, were expected to be valuable assets for Djokovic. Murray had previously stated that Djokovic’s offer to coach was an unexpected but welcome opportunity following his retirement.
The end of this collaboration signifies a significant shift for both players as they navigate the next stages of their careers. Djokovic will be looking for a new voice to guide him, while Murray’s future in coaching remains to be seen.
