Novak Djokovic sends message to Andy Murray after splitting from coach

Andy Murray and Novak Djokovic will no longer be working together after the British legend’s six-month spell as the Serbian icon’s tennis coach.

The pair announced the split on Tuesday – just 12 days before the French Open – despite Djokovic previously stating that he hoped to continue his partnership with Murray through Roland-Garros and Wimbledon this year.

Murray and Djokovic – who were once arch rivals – sent shockwaves through tennis when they first announced their partnership late last year after the Brit’s retirement in a move which delighted fans across the world.

They first linked up at the Australian Open at the start of 2025 but Djokovic has struggled for form all season, enduring a number of shock defeats – most recently to Matteo Arnaldi in his opening match in Madrid – and has now made a drastic change with Murray leaving his role.

‘Thank you, coach Andy, for all the hard work, fun [and] support over last six months on [and] off the court, really enjoyed deepening our friendship together,’ Djokovic said in a statement.

Murray added: ‘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.’

After Djokovic’s Australian Open exit in January, Murray said it felt ‘a little bit embarrassing’ to receive credit for coaching the 24-time major winner.

At the Madrid Open last month, Djokovic lashed out during a practice session with Murray after hitting a series of poor shots, which went viral.

Djokovic is the only Big Four superstar still active on the ATP Tour following the retirements of Murray, Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer.

But there have been rumours swirling online for a while that Djokovic may soon decide to hang up his own racket, especially after recent comments.

Following his early exit in Madrid, Djokovic said: ‘It could be [my last time playing at this tournament]. It could be. I’m not sure if I will come back. So, I don’t know. I don’t know what to say. I mean, I’ll come back, maybe not as a player, of course. I hope it’s not, but it could be.’

After a shock defeat to Alejandro Tabilo at the Monte-Carlo Masters in April, Djokovic was unusually downbeat in his press conference.

‘It was actually more like the worst day,’ Djokovic said. ‘Look, I was hoping it was not going to happen, but it was quite a high probability I’m going to play this way.

‘I don’t know. Just horrible. Horrible feeling to play this way, and just sorry for all the people that have to witness this.’

It has long been assumed that Djokovic will not retire until he gets his hands on a historic 25th Grand Slam singles trophy.

That would move him clear of Margaret Court in the all-time record books for the player with the most major singles titles if he were to achieve it.

There are genuine question marks over whether the fire is still there for Djokovic, though, and if he still has what it takes to beat the best players.

But Djokovic will surely go down as the greatest tennis player of all time when he finally decides to end his career.

The 37-year-old has already won two more Grand Slam titles than Nadal and four more than Federer, with Djokovic breaking many other records across his incredible career in the sport.

Djokovic, speaking after his Miami Open final defeat to Jakub Mensik in March, said: ‘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.’