Jurgen Melzer believes that Andy Murray could be precisely what Novak Djokovic needs as he prepares for a competitive 2025 season. The former world No. 8 predicts that Djokovic will contend for titles at all four Grand Slam tournaments next year. In 2024, the Serbian tennis star managed to secure only a gold medal at the Paris Olympics, finishing the year ranked No. 7 in the world. It marked the first time since 2017 that Djokovic did not win a Grand Slam in a season, leading him to acknowledge that it was not one of his best years.
Despite a challenging season, Djokovic has made it clear that he has no plans to retire. He announced his intention to return in 2025 with aspirations for further success, notably hiring his former rival, Murray, as his coach.
Melzer, a 2010 French Open semifinalist, anticipates that Murray’s presence on the team will provide Djokovic with renewed motivation to challenge top players like Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz in 2025. “Novak has to train differently, more intelligently than when he was 30,” Melzer said. “He can no longer handle the same workload and must carefully choose the areas in which he wants to improve. At his age, recovery is different, which is why he brought Murray on board. Andy has experienced a lot in recent years and can offer a motivational boost and joy in training. For Novak, Grand Slams are the priority; losing at a Masters 1000 isn’t as dramatic. I believe we will see him competing for all the Grand Slam titles in 2025.”
Melzer elaborated on how Murray’s tactical expertise could benefit Djokovic. Throughout his career, the recently retired Briton was known for his strategic play, winning three Grand Slam titles and two Olympic gold medals, while also reaching the world No. 1 ranking. Melzer believes that as a coach, Murray can provide invaluable insights to Djokovic, who respects him and will heed his advice. “I think it’s an incredible combination for tennis,” Melzer remarked. “Andy can help Novak significantly; few possess his court IQ. Even a legend like Djokovic can learn from him, and their discussions could lead to a very successful partnership.”
Djokovic’s decision to hire Murray came after he parted ways with long-time coach Goran Ivanisevic in April. Following a period of reflection, Djokovic realized he needed a coach who could relate to his experiences. “I took about six months to think about whether I needed a coach and, if so, who that would be,” Djokovic explained to Sky Sports. “I concluded that the ideal coach would be someone who has faced similar challenges—a multiple Grand Slam winner. The discussion about Andy came up with my team, and I decided to give him a call. It caught him off guard a little bit as he wasn’t expecting it.”
Currently, their partnership is confirmed only through the Australian Open. Should Djokovic perform well and potentially secure his 25th Grand Slam title with Murray as his coach, it is likely that the Briton will become a regular fixture in Djokovic’s camp for major tournaments throughout 2025.
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