Ace hire: Djokovic names ex-rival Murray coach

Novak Djokovic announced he had hired longtime rival Andy Murray to be his new coach ahead of the 2025 season.

The two shared the news in a statement and video on social media on Saturday, explaining Murray, who retired from his competitive career after the Olympics in July, would work with Djokovic during the offseason and at least through the Australian Open.

"I am excited to have one of my greatest rivals on the same side of the net, as my coach," Djokovic said. "Looking forward to [the] start of the season and competing in Australia alongside Andy with whom I have shared many exceptional moments on the Australian soil."

Murray added he was "really excited for it and looking forward to spending time on the same side of the net as Novak for a change, helping him to achieve his goals."

Djokovic and Murray, both 37, were born one week apart in May of 1987 and first played against one another as promising 11-year-olds. Since that first meeting, which Murray won, the pair would go on to have dozens of memorable matches at the junior level and on the ATP Tour. Djokovic ultimately held a 25-11 career record over Murray, including four victories during Australian Open finals. Murray however defeated Djokovic for two of his three career major titles at the 2012 US Open and Wimbledon in 2013.

In March, Djokovic split with his coach Goran Ivanisevic after six years -- and 12 Grand Slam titles -- together and had not hired a permanent replacement since. After winning three major titles, including his record-tying 24th overall, during the 2023 season, Djokovic uncharacteristically struggled in 2024 and failed to win a Slam or a tour-level tournament of any kind. He did win his first Olympic gold medal in Paris, something he had never been able to achieve in his previous four Olympic appearances. Having skipped the year-end ATP Finals, in which he was the defending champion, Djokovic ended the season at No. 7.

In a post on Instagram and X announcing Murray's hire, Djokovic wrote, "He never liked retirement anyway," alluding to Murray's post following his final match in which he joked he "never even liked tennis anyway."

"We had some of the most epic battles in our sport. I thought our story may be over, [but it] turns out it has one final chapter, Djokovic narrated in the video. "It's time for one of my toughest opponents to step into my corner."

The 2025 Australian Open gets underway in Melbourne on Jan. 12. Already the winningest singles player in the Open Era at the event, Djokovic will be looking for his 11th title, which would tie him with Margaret Court for the most ever. It would also break his tie with Court for the most major singles titles in tennis history.