Britain's Andy Murray and Serbia's Novak Djokovic The move by Novak Djokovic (right) to hire Andy Murray as his new coach has come as shock to the tennis world. Picture: Glyn Kirk/AFP
Image: Glyn KIRK / AFP
Since Novak Djokovic announced he had hired Andy Murray as his new coach last month, it has taken the tennis world by storm.
The move made by 37-year-old Djokovic was speculated to be something of a ploy as his inevitable retirement nears.
However, tennis fans are divided with many also feeling that linking up the two talents may be the perfect match.
With Murray being exactly a week older than Djokovic, the Scotsman already hung up his racket after the Paris Olympics earlier this year.
Djokovic has won the most men’s tennis grand slams in history with his tally of 24, as he is tied with Margaret Court on the same number on the women’s side.
Djokovic along with Roger Federer and recently-retired Rafael Nadal are regarded as the best-ever trio in men’s tennis. Federer won 20 grand slams, with the younger Nadal ending on 22.
Murray was often regarded as one of the big-four alongside Djokovic, Federer and Nadal despite winning just three grand slams. That’s perhaps the reason why the partnership between Murray and Nadal came as such a shock.
Renowned tennis commentator Mark Petchey, meanwhile, believes the partnership could be a master move.
“I’ve said it a few times that Andy [Murray]would go into coaching but I didn't think in my wildest dreams it would be quite as quickly as this and with Novak [Djokovic]!” said Petchey speaking to Betway.
“I think it's awesome for tennis and I think it's great for both of them in terms of the passion that they bring to the sport and the knowledge that they have.
“It’s going to be fascinating for all of us sitting on the sidelines to see how this partnership is going to work. Sitting here outside the ring looking in at those two, I think it's going to be a great thing for tennis. It's already created huge headlines and I think it will create a huge buzz down in Australia.”
Petchey shut down any suggestions that Djokovic only made the move because he might be retiring soon.
“I've seen people say this is Novak at the end of his career kind of winding down potentially by hiring a mate. That’s absolute bullshit. Andy is not wired that way. He wouldn't let me beat him in a video game,” said Petchey.
“He will not go into Australia with Novak if it isn't to win another Australian Open, his 25th Major and a record 11th Australian Open.
“This is a great challenge for Andy. This for most of these great champions is a period of going into the void, trying to figure out how he can find some value in his life. It's very tough for a lot of these great champions to do that.”
Related Topics: