Coach Andy Murray ready for any outbursts from Novak Djokovic at Australian Open
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Novak Djokovic (left) shaking hands with his coach Andy Murray during a charity event titled Night with Novak on Rod Laver Arena in Melbourne on Jan 9, 2025.
PHOTO: AFP
MELBOURNE – Novak Djokovic’s former rival-turned-coach Andy Murray does not want the Serbian to suppress his emotions on court, and is even willing to be the target of any angry outbursts, as long as the 24-time Major winner gives his all at the Australian Open.
Murray played Djokovic 36 times from 2006 to 2022, losing 25 matches, including four Australian Open finals. The Briton, who retired after the 2024 Olympics, joined Djokovic’s team in November.
“I would think that I’d be one of the people that would maybe hopefully understand that side of things,” Murray said on Jan 9, three days before the year’s first Grand Slam starts in Melbourne.
“It’s not easy out there and it’s stressful and at times he’s going to want to vent towards his team and his box. Provided he’s giving his best effort and trying as hard as he can, I’m absolutely fine with him expressing himself how he wants.”
Murray, who is the same age as Djokovic (37), also said he did not expect a coaching request from the Serbian, who faces American wild card Nishesh Basavareddy in the first round at Melbourne Park.
However, after the Scot’s wife Kim supported the idea, the three-time Grand Slam winner agreed to help Djokovic in his quest for a record-extending 11th Australian Open title and landmark 25th Major crown.
“Obviously, I expect when the matches start... it’s stressful. When you’re trying to achieve great things, it’s not easy. But the rewards at the end of it can be great and that’s something I’m looking forward (to),” he added.
Meanwhile, three teens have qualified for a men’s singles Grand Slam main draw for the first time since the 2015 US Open.
NextGen champion Joao Fonseca’s dazzling run of form propelled him into a maiden Grand Slam main draw when he powered through Australian Open qualifying.
The 18-year-old Brazilian became the second-youngest champion of the NextGen ATP tournament in December since current world No. 1 Jannik Sinner claimed the title, also aged 18, five years ago.
Fonseca then added an ATP Challenger Tour title to his name in Canberra last week.
His 6-4, 6-1 win over Argentina’s Thiago Agustin Tirante on Jan 9 to book his place in the Australian Open was his 13th straight victory. The world No. 113’s reward is a first-round meeting with Russia’s world No. 9 Andrey Rublev at Melbourne Park.
The man he beat for the NextGen title, Learner Tien of the United States, also progressed through qualifying, as did another teenager in Spain’s highly touted Martin Landaluce.
Former world No. 16 Nikoloz Basilashvili continued his journey back to form, the 32-year-old Georgian making his first main draw of a Major since the 2023 Australian Open. REUTERS, AFP
