American legend Jimmy Connors believes Novak Djokovic has been really clever in appointing Andy Murray as his new coach. Murray, as a former Djokovic’s rival, knows about the Serbian’s strengths and weaknesses and Connors feels their bond on and off the court will help them savor success.
Djokovic separated from his former coach Goran Ivanisevic in March 2024 and he has been playing without a coach since then. The Serb recently appointed the Brit as his new coach.
“I think it enters a comfort zone,” he said on the Advantage Connors podcast.
“They have competed against each other, they know each other’s game, they have spent time together – not only on the court, playing great matches – but also off the court.
The former World No.1 said Djokovic will feel comfortable with Andy Murray.
“There comes a point in time in your later years where, if you feel comfortable and feel relaxed with the people around you, that allows you to go out and attempt to play your best tennis and give it your all.
“The older you get, it’s tougher to push yourself. You look at Djoker and he does everything to get himself in prime condition.
“If he’s around someone who he feels comfortable with now – not that those in the past he didn’t feel comfortable with – but as you get older things change.
“Your mind changes, your outlook changes, your feelings change and all that. If you can go and be more relaxed going into the tennis, it allows you to play even better.”
Djokovic will play in the Brisbane Open to kick off his 2025 season and will look to claim his 11th Australian Open title in Melbourne with Murray’s assistance.
