Novak Djokovic describes having former rival Andy Murray on his team as dreamlike, with the two getting to know each other better personally.
The 24-time Grand Slam champion appointed the Brit to his coaching team shortly before the start of this season and is currently with him at the Miami Open. Djokovic is through to the quarter-finals of the Masters 1000 event for the first time since 2019 after beating Lorenzo Musetti 6-2, 6-2, on Tuesday. It is the first time Murray has mentored a player on the Tour after retiring from the sport last summer at the Paris Olympics.
Djokovic, who played Murray 36 times during his career, has hailed the support he is receiving from Murray. A person who he has ‘tremendous respect’ for.
“We shared the same stage, so to say, and were on the tour for a very long time and know each other for 20-25 years since the junior days,” Reuters quoted Djokovic as telling Sky Sports.
“But obviously when you’re rivals you don’t interact as much and actually as we were waiting for matches to restart after the rain today we had a very interesting talk.
“I’ve always had tremendous respect for Andy, as a player, but now even more so as a person. He’s such a nice guy and I’m really grateful he cares about me doing well on the court.”
Away from the court, the duo enjoys playing a round of golf or having dinner together. Murray is just seven days older than the Serbian and has played against him in seven Grand Slam finals.
“It’s still surreal that one of my biggest rivals is my coach, and he’s fist-bumping and jumping around in the box,” Djokovic said.
“Sometimes I pinch myself and ask myself ‘is this real? Is this a dream?’ but it’s great.
“We’re trying to get the most out of this relationship of player and coach and also to spend some quality time together. Miami has been good. We were here early, almost a week before the tournament started.
“We played some golf, we enjoyed some dinners together and we’re having fun.”
Djokovic is seeking his 100th ATP title in Miami which is a milestone that has only been achieved by Roger Federer and Jimmy Connors. He will next play Sebastian Korda who has scored wins over Stefanos Tsitsipas and Gael Monfils in the tournament.
