Thanasi Kokkinakis has expressed his support for Andy Murray, predicting that the former three-time Grand Slam champion will excel as a coach, particularly in his new partnership with Novak Djokovic. Since the announcement of their collaboration on November 23, the tennis community has been buzzing with excitement, eager to see how the duo will perform together at the upcoming Australian Open.
Speaking at last week’s Ultimate Tennis Showdown (UTS) event in London, Kokkinakis praised Murray’s tactical acumen, highlighting his unique ability to provide insights to Djokovic, a player who has achieved nearly everything in the sport.
“If you play against them, it’ll feel like you’re playing two people instead of one,” Kokkinakis remarked. “There aren’t many who can tell Djokovic what to do on court. He’s been there and done it all. It’ll be exciting to see how it plays out. I’m not sure how much of a difference he’ll bring, but if anyone can offer him advice, it’s Andy. This collaboration will be entertaining for fans and beneficial for the media, especially seeing Andy in Djokovic’s box after their long-standing rivalry.”
Kokkinakis also reflected on his own experiences with Murray, recalling a particularly tough match during the second round of the 2023 Australian Open, where he suffered a heartbreaking defeat after a grueling five-hour and 45-minute battle.
As the world No. 77 prepares for the Australian Open, he may find himself facing Murray again, albeit under different circumstances. For that to happen, Kokkinakis would need to meet Djokovic at some point during the tournament in Melbourne.
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