Novak Djokovic and Andy Murray abruptly end partnership less than two weeks before French Open
Novak Djokovic and Andy Murray have confirmed they have ended their coaching partnership after six months of working together. The pair, who were long-time rivals on the court, shocked fans by announcing they were to join forces late last year ahead of January’s Australian Open. Novak Djokovic and Andy Murray have ended their six-month associationGetty Initially, it appeared as though the partnership was blossoming as Djokovic surged towards the latter stages in Melbourne before being forced to retire in the semi-finals through injury. However, since then, Djokovic has been stuck in a rut of poor form having suffered a string of shock defeats leading to a parting of the ways with Murray. “Thank you, coach Andy, for all the hard work, fun [and] support over the last six months on [and] off the court, really enjoyed deepening our friendship together,” Djokovic said in a statement. Murray also lauded his time working with the Serbian, adding: “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.” The French Open starts in less than two weeks, while Wimbledon takes place next month. Djokovic will be hoping he can quickly produce an upturn in form ahead of the summer Grand Slam’s that come in quick succession. There was uncertainty surrounding the pair’s future after the Australian Open despite Djokovic praising Murray for the extra motivation he had helped him gain. Subsequently, the legendary duo agreed to continue their collaboration until Wimbledon, at least. But Djokovic’s indifferent form since his return from injury sparked a rethink in his approach ahead of a crucial couple of months for the 38-year-old. Djokovic was on a rare three-match losing streak before the Miami Open in March where he was beaten in the final by Jakub Mensik. Murray surprisingly became Djokovic’s coach at the end of 2024AFP The 24-time Grand Slam winner is on another three-match winless run after suffering opening-round defeats to world No 32, Alejandro Tabilo in Monte Carlo and No 44, Matteo Arnaldi, in Madrid. His latest defeat saw him withdraw from the Italian Open. Reacting to the loss against Arnaldi in the Spanish Capital, Djokovic said: “Kind of a new reality for me, I have to say. Trying to win a match or two, not really thinking about getting far in the tournament. “It’s a completely different feeling from what I had in 20-plus years of professional tennis, so it’s kind of a challenge for me mentally to really face these sensations on the court, going out early now regularly in the tournaments.” In a bid to recapture his form, Djokovic has taken a wildcard into the Geneva Open which starts on May 17, one week before the French Open. Djokovic is the only one of the iconic Big Four stars still playing on the ATP Tour following the retirements of Murray, Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer. The Big Four dominated tennis for two decades after bursting onto the scene in the early 2000sGetty However, there has been suggestions that retirement could be within his sights. Following his final defeat in Miami, he told reporters: “When you start to play less good, start to lose early in the tournament, that’s when more questions appear. “More, I guess, inner voices which are bringing doubts and conversations of whether you should keep going and how much and so forth.”
Novak Djokovic and Andy Murray have confirmed they have ended their coaching partnership after six months of working together.
The pair, who were long-time rivals on the court, shocked fans by announcing they were to join forces late last year ahead of January’s Australian Open.
Initially, it appeared as though the partnership was blossoming as Djokovic surged towards the latter stages in Melbourne before being forced to retire in the semi-finals through injury.
However, since then, Djokovic has been stuck in a rut of poor form having suffered a string of shock defeats leading to a parting of the ways with Murray.
“Thank you, coach Andy, for all the hard work, fun [and] support over the last six months on [and] off the court, really enjoyed deepening our friendship together,” Djokovic said in a statement.
Murray also lauded his time working with the Serbian, adding: “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.”
The French Open starts in less than two weeks, while Wimbledon takes place next month.
Djokovic will be hoping he can quickly produce an upturn in form ahead of the summer Grand Slam’s that come in quick succession.
There was uncertainty surrounding the pair’s future after the Australian Open despite Djokovic praising Murray for the extra motivation he had helped him gain.
Subsequently, the legendary duo agreed to continue their collaboration until Wimbledon, at least.
But Djokovic’s indifferent form since his return from injury sparked a rethink in his approach ahead of a crucial couple of months for the 38-year-old.
Djokovic was on a rare three-match losing streak before the Miami Open in March where he was beaten in the final by Jakub Mensik.
The 24-time Grand Slam winner is on another three-match winless run after suffering opening-round defeats to world No 32, Alejandro Tabilo in Monte Carlo and No 44, Matteo Arnaldi, in Madrid.
His latest defeat saw him withdraw from the Italian Open.
Reacting to the loss against Arnaldi in the Spanish Capital, Djokovic said: “Kind of a new reality for me, I have to say. Trying to win a match or two, not really thinking about getting far in the tournament.
“It’s a completely different feeling from what I had in 20-plus years of professional tennis, so it’s kind of a challenge for me mentally to really face these sensations on the court, going out early now regularly in the tournaments.”
In a bid to recapture his form, Djokovic has taken a wildcard into the Geneva Open which starts on May 17, one week before the French Open.
Djokovic is the only one of the iconic Big Four stars still playing on the ATP Tour following the retirements of Murray, Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer.
However, there has been suggestions that retirement could be within his sights.
Following his final defeat in Miami, he told reporters: “When you start to play less good, start to lose early in the tournament, that’s when more questions appear.
“More, I guess, inner voices which are bringing doubts and conversations of whether you should keep going and how much and so forth.”
