LONDON (AP) — Andy Murray says he is “disappointed” with Novak Djokovic’s results while coaching his old rival.
Murray joined Djokovic’s coaching staff in November 2024, just three months after the 38-year-old Scot ended his own playing career at the Paris Olympics.
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But it turned out to be a six-month partnership, as the two were only together for the Australian Open and five other tournaments this year.
“I look back on it and I’m glad I did it,” Murray told the Tennis Podcast.
“It was an incredible experience that I had. It didn’t last long but I put everything into it. I was disappointed. I probably didn’t get the results I would have wanted for him.
“It was a good opportunity because I felt like I wanted to go into coaching at some point and if I hadn’t taken it I could look back and think it would have been really interesting, I could have learned a lot, or potentially regret it.”
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Djokovic defeated Carlos Alcaraz reached the semi-finals of the Australian Open, but in doing so he tore his left hamstring. The 24-time Grand Slam champion then abandoned after one set against Alexander Zverev and was booed off the field.
On his return, the 38-year-old Serbian suffered opening defeats in Qatar and Indian Wells. Then he reached the final of the Miami Open but lost to a Czech teenager Jakub Mensik.
Murray had originally planned to coach Djokovic at Roland Garros, but the partnership ended in May after the first defeats on clay in Monte-Carlo and Madrid.
“At the beginning everything was going well and what happened in Australia with his injury was unfortunate, but I saw him play ridiculous tennis in that tournament,” Murray said.
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“After the injury, it was definitely a tough few months for him but also, I think, for the team and for all of us. I learned a lot about what coaching is. I was fully invested, I did my best to help him and I built a good relationship along the way with his team.”
