Novak Djokovic on why he ended Andy Murray partnership: 'We couldn't get more out of that'

Novak Djokovic has said that the failure to maximise their partnership any further led to him parting ways with his former coach, Andy Murray. Djokovic dropped Murray as his coach earlier in May after a six-month partnership in which he reached the semi-finals of the Australian Open.

The Australian Open was the first tournament for Murray as Djokovic’s coach. However, Djokovic, 37, has hit a rough patch since then. He has not won a single match on clay this year and suffered early exits in Monte Carlo and Madrid before deciding to skip the Italian Open.

‘Murray has a brilliant tennis IQ’

He will be in action at the Geneva Open on Wednesday, having taken the wildcard to prepare for the French Open, which starts on 25 May. Djokovic faces 134th-ranked Hungarian Marton Fucsovics in the Round of 16.

“We felt like we couldn’t get more out of that partnership on the court, and that’s all there is to it,” Djokovic said on Murray, explaining decision to part ways with Murray. “My respect towards Andy remains the same, even more actually, I got to know him as a person.

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“I think he has a brilliant tennis IQ, he has a very rare mind of a champion that obviously has achieved what he has achieved, and he sees the game incredibly well.”

Djokovic has not hired a new coach but is currently working with Dusan Vemic, who has been a part of his team in the past.

“At the moment, I’m not in need of a coach,” Djokovic said. “I don’t need to rush in any context. I feel comfortable with the people around me.

“In the next few tournaments, we’ll see what happens.”

Djokovic acknowledges career struggle at 37

Djokovic’s poor performance on clay this season highlights how difficult it will be for him to put up a challenge at the French Open. “It’s a different chapter of my life that I’m trying to navigate myself through,” Djokovic said.

“I’m not particularly used to having this kind of circumstances where I would lose a consecutive match, tournaments, first rounds and so forth. I don’t think it ever happened for me in the last 20 years. But I knew that eventually that moment will come.

“I’m trying to do well, I’m trying to win more trophies, I’m trying to build my form for Roland Garros, and perform at the desired, necessary level in order to go far in the tournament and challenge the best players in the world.

“So yes, the motivation is still there.”