“Who would turn down a chance to work with Novak Djokovic?”: Patrick Mouratoglou reflects on Andy Murray’s coaching role

Patrick Mouratoglou believes Andy Murray's hiring as Novak Djokovic's coach is a statement to young rivals Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner, signaling that he aims to win the Australian Open in 2025.

The 24-time Grand Slam champion surprised many weeks ago by hiring recently retired Murray, one of his great rivals, as his coach for the 2025 season. The partnership generated excitement in the tennis world, forming an intriguing alliance just four months after the Brit’s retirement.

Former Serena Williams’ coach Mouratoglou wrote a column on LinkedIn where he acknowledged the potential contribution Murray could make as Djokovic’s coach. “When Novak Djokovic announced his new collaboration with Andy Murray as his coach, I have to admit I was surprised,” Mouratoglou wrote.

“Two of the greatest players of their generation, born in 1987, now uniting in a completely new dynamic. It’s a bold move, and one that speaks volumes about Andy’s character and Novak’s ambition.”

“Andy’s decision to step into coaching is remarkable. Transitioning so quickly from player to coach is rare, especially for someone as accomplished as him. Yet, the opportunity to coach arguably the greatest player of all time must have been impossible to refuse. After all, who would turn down a chance to work with Novak Djokovic?”

According to reports from Tennis365, Murray has already started working with Djokovic, and Mouratoglou views the long-term partnership positively ahead of the Australian Open. “This partnership makes sense on many levels,” he continued. “Andy and Novak have shared the court countless times, battling fiercely in some of tennis’s greatest rivalries.”

“Their games share similarities—supreme court coverage, tactical brilliance, and consistency under pressure. Few people understand Novak as deeply as Andy does. But the real question is: can Andy reignite Novak’s motivation?”

According to the current coach of Naomi Osaka, the partnership between the Grand Slam champions could be a message to Alcaraz and Sinner that Djokovic still has big ambitions in the most important tournaments. “Motivation is the one thing Novak needs most right now. After dominating the era of the Big Three, outlasting both Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal, Novak has little left to prove.”

“Yet, with the rise of players like Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner, tennis has never been more competitive. For Novak, the challenge is clear: rediscover the fire that made him relentless, even against this new wave of talent.”

“Andy, known for his calm demeanor and incredible intelligence, might just be the person to help Novak tap into that fire again. While Andy isn’t the type to bring raw energy to the team, he brings something equally valuable — strategy, intelligence,” he added.

“He knows Novak inside out and might find unique ways to push him back to the top. But make no mistake: the task is monumental. The consistency of Sinner, the explosiveness of Alcaraz, and the incredible physicality of the next generation set the bar higher than ever.”

“This partnership is more than just about coaching; it can be understood as a statement. Two legends saying to the younger generation, ‘We’re not done yet. Show us you’re ready to take over.’