Credit: X/Eurosport/Australian Open
As Novak Djokovic produced a performance up there with the best of his victories against old rivals Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal, he turned to Sir Andy Murray to celebrate.
Letting out his second guttural roar, he walked to his fieldside box and squeezed the new member of his coaching team; his former rival turned coach.
Djokovic’s strategy was almost perfect against Carlos Alcaraz in the quarter-finals of the Australian Open. Some exchanges were made for the highlight and left both players breathless as Djokovic, 37, looked every bit the player he had been a few years before.
The gap of 15 years and 349 days between Djokovic and Alcaraz is the largest in a grand slam quarterfinal since Jimmy Connors versus Andre Agassi at the US Open in 1989.
Djokovic’s Australian Open record stands at 99 wins and just nine losses, as he remains in search of a record 11th men’s singles title. at Melbourne Park.
Here, Telegraph sport looks at the key moments where Murray’s impact was most keenly felt by Djokovic during his four-set epic.
Murray keeps calm head as Djokovic loses super point
In the fourth set, with Djokovic on break point, he and Alcaraz were involved in a thrilling exchange from the baseline. The Serbian and the Spaniard grunted with effort, before the youngster won the point after 33 rallies.
Djokovic then turned to his bench and made an angry gesture, only for Murray to stand there stoically, pulling his ear slightly and providing the perfect calm setting to contrast the anger on the court.
This suggests that, behind the scenes, Murray provides the calm, rational antidote to Djokovic’s more emotional personality.
The embrace between the two
After securing his place in the semifinals, Djokovic immediately headed to his dressing room, both fists clenched and raised, shouting in celebration.
Once again, Murray was more of a calm figure, clapping, before mirroring Djokovic’s double punch, with the pair hugging afterwards.
Although it will take some time for tennis fans to get used to Murray sitting in his longtime rival’s box, it’s clear that Djokovic appreciates his contribution, thanking him before another member sits courtside immediately after his victory.
The sigh of relief
When Djokovic won the fourth and deciding set just before 1 a.m. local time after a match lasting three hours and 38 minutes, the camera almost immediately turned to courtside Murray, who let out a long sigh of relief. Murray’s first venture into coaching will continue with a semi-final meeting with eliminated Alexander Zverev British tennis player Jacob Fearnley.
Credit: X/Eurosport/The Australian Open
Console Alcaraz
After the match, while Alcaraz was cooling off on one of the bikes in the players’ area, Murray made a point of approaching and congratulating the young Spaniard. Alcaraz remained smiling as the two men exchanged a brief word or two, before Murray walked away to join Djokovic’s team.
If Djokovic wins the Australian Open, he would become the first player to defeat the top three seeds to win a grand slam. After Alcaraz is eliminated, Zverev and Jannik Sinner stand in his way.
Just weeks after becoming a tennis coach, Murray will be behind a player in the semifinals.
His actions on the field and his magnanimous gestures, such as consoling Alcaraz, made him a serious figure in this role. It’s not just for show; he has already had an impact on Djokovic’s matchplay.
