 "Novak Djokovic shares what he aims to achieve with coach Andy Murray: 'I want to play my best tennis'")
Andy Murray will be back as Novak Djokovic’s coach as the 24-time Grand Slam winner kicks off his Madrid Open campaign Saturday against Matteo Arnaldi. Murray had been part of Djokovic’s coaching team since November last year but the former tennis star was not there when the Serbian lost to Alejandro Tabilo at Monte-Carlo earlier this month.
With Murray as coach, Djokovic has reached the Australian Open semi-final and finished runner-up in Miami but also suffered a three-match losing streak earlier this year.
Djokovic on why coaching him is tough
The 37-year-old Djokovic has revealed why it’s “not easy” for Murray to coach him as he struggles with a lack of motivation sometimes. “I think the priority for us is to always try to approach the training session with the right kind of mentality. It’s not always easy,” Djokovic told Sky Sports.
“Some days I feel excited and really motivated, some days less. So then he, as a coach, also has to manage that which is not always easy.”
However, besides managing Djokovic’s lack of motivation, Murray provides a lot of technical help.
“And then it’s obviously about specific elements in the game, certain shots that are maybe happening in a certain pattern for days or weeks already.
“Or there is also something that kind of appeared in yesterday’s practice, or it comes up in the moment and we address it.
“So it’s really a combination of things, I would say. And as we are coming closer and closer to the first match, obviously we are working on more of the specifics to fine-tune the game, to be ready to play points, match. Not just from the game standpoint but also mentally and emotionally.”
Djokovic eyes French Open, Wimbledon with Murray
Djokovic added that he aims to peak at the French Open and Wimbledon with the partnership with Murray.
“The priority is obviously trying to take the level of tennis that is currently maybe not where we want it to be to the higher level so that I can peak at the French Open,” Djokovic said.
“That’s really where I want to play my best tennis, Roland Garros and Wimbledon.
“But, of course, we are in Madrid, we came in early, we’re putting in a lot of hours in the court and in the gym trying to perfect the body and the game, and basically every aspect of my game to be a few per cent better than it was in the previous weeks.
“If I can reach that desired level in this tournament, that would be amazing. I don’t have really high expectations and I really hope that I can get through the first hurdle and then we’ll take it from there.”
Djokovic is back in Madrid for only the second time in six years. In his previous appearance in 2022, he was defeated by Carlos Alcaraz in the semi-final.
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