Player Features Murray’s initial thoughts on Djokovic: ‘None of those players are significant, it’s solely about Novak’ Comments from well-known coach and analyst Brad Gilbert December 06, 2024 Clive Brunskill/Getty Images Andy Murray will mentor Novak Djokovic throughout the 2025 Australian Open. By ATP Staff Brad Gilbert recalls posing a significant question to Andy Murray […]
Player Features
Murray’s initial thoughts on Djokovic: ‘None of those players are significant, it’s solely about Novak’
Comments from well-known coach and analyst Brad Gilbert
December 06, 2024
Clive Brunskill/Getty Images
Andy Murray will mentor Novak Djokovic throughout the 2025 Australian Open.
By ATP Staff
Brad Gilbert recalls posing a significant question to Andy Murray in 2006, at the start of his coaching journey with the Scot. Gilbert compiled a list of competitors, inquiring which opponents posed the toughest challenges for Murray. Nearly twenty years later, Gilbert vividly remembers Murray’s answer.
“I recall him stating, ‘None of those players are important, it’s just Novak,’” Gilbert revealed to ATPTour.com.
In a remarkable turn of events, Murray is now collaborating with his competitor Djokovic, guiding the Serbian during the off season and into the Australian Open. Gilbert believes this is a well-timed alliance.
“I had a feeling that Novak was on the verge of making a move. You couldn’t pinpoint exactly what he was going to do, yet it felt like he required something, perhaps a motivating factor. And naturally, he has a long history with Andy,” Gilbert commented.
“Andy possesses a wealth of knowledge about Novak and is well-informed about the players Novak will be aiming to outpace. However, I believe, more than anything, Novak is aware of the emergence of these two significant young talents now [Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz] who have really taken the game to new heights, and I think Novak likely feels a bit of pressure and, more crucially, he needs that drive.”
Wasn’t on our 2024 bingo card…
But SO here for it 😎@andy_murray | @DjokerNole pic.twitter.com/e9T2eFW25i
— ATP Tour (@atptour) November 23, 2024
Murray, who concluded his career at the Paris Olympics earlier this year, faced off against 99-time tour-level champion Djokovic 36 times in their Lexus ATP Head2Head encounters. The Belgrade player emerged victorious in 25 of those matches. They competed at the world’s premier events, including seven major finals.
Gilbert, who previously ranked No. 4 in the PIF ATP Rankings, understands the swift shift from competing to coaching. He hung up his racquet in 1994, the same year he commenced coaching Andre Agassi. Almost immediately, Gilbert grasped a crucial coaching principle.
“You become the coach observing through the perspective of the player you’re training. I thought, ‘I would approach it this way, but Andre plays completely differently than I do, so I can’t apply my mindset. I need to concentrate on what Andre needs to execute’.”
Having been born just a week apart in May 1987, Djokovic and Murray are not the first duo of former No. 1s in the PIF ATP Rankings to unite. In fact, Murray is the third ex-No. 1 to assist Djokovic. The Serbian has previously partnered with Agassi and Boris Becker.
With a complete offseason available to sharpen new strategies and techniques, Djokovic’s upcoming season is set to be exceptionally thrilling. The 37-year-old will kick off his 2025 journey in Brisbane.
“The first thing I want to do when I arrive in Australia is watch Murray and Novak practice,” Gilbert said. “I’m curious if they will train together or if Novak will be working with another practice partner. And [I want to observe] if I spot any immediate differences in the first rounds. As a coach and former player, I’m genuinely intrigued to see if there’s a noticeable shift from the outset.”
