Andy Murray reflects on coaching Novak Djokovic: ‘Didn’t get the results’

Andy Murray’s return to tennis at the start of 2025 came in a form many did not expect. Just months after retiring at Wimbledon, the former world number one stepped back into the sport—not as a competitor, but as a coach. And not just any coach. Murray was tasked with guiding Novak Djokovic in his pursuit of a historic 25th Grand Slam title.

Their partnership, though highly anticipated, ultimately lasted only a few months. Now, Murray has opened up about what really happened during his demanding yet invaluable stint alongside one of the greatest athletes in sporting history.

A return to tennis Murray didn’t expect

Murray admitted that retirement had come with relief, but the chance to work with Djokovic was simply too significant to pass up. With support from his family, he plunged into coaching less than half a year after playing his last professional match.

Despite the excitement surrounding the pairing, the collaboration ended by May. Injuries and inconsistencies disrupted Novak Djokovic’s season, and the momentum they built early on slipped away.

On The Tennis Podcast, Murray spoke candidly about his experience and the intense expectations he placed on himself. Reflecting on the challenge of coaching such a dominant figure, Andy Murray said,

“You’re obviously working with… one of the best athletes of all time… so my expectation was that it was going to be extremely challenging.”

Inside the short-lived partnership

Their journey began promisingly. Djokovic surged into the Australian Open semifinals, appearing refreshed under Murray’s influence. But physical setbacks soon derailed the campaign and shortened the partnership.

Looking back, Murray expressed both pride and disappointment. “I look back on it, and I’m glad that I did it… obviously, it didn’t last that long,” he admitted. While satisfied with his effort, he acknowledged the frustration of not helping Novak Djokovic achieve the results he desired: “I was disappointed, probably didn’t get the results I would have liked for him, but I learned a lot.”

This learning curve became central to Andy Murray’s reflection. Coaching, he discovered, required a new set of skills—ones far removed from the mindset of a player.

“You find out a lot about yourself and some of your strengths, some of your weaknesses as a coach,” he explained.

The real pressure happened off the court

Although one might assume coaching Djokovic in high-stakes matches would be nerve-wracking, Murray revealed the opposite. The off-court responsibilities weighed heavier than anything that happened during competition.

“I actually didn’t find the matches that stressful… the actual build-up to the matches, I found really quite stressful,” Murray shared.

Organizing practice schedules, selecting partners, managing equipment, and preparing match footage all added layers of pressure he had never experienced as a player.

A short chapter, but a transformative one

While their time together didn’t deliver the historic milestone Novak Djokovic was chasing, Andy Murray emerged from the experience with renewed respect for coaching’s demands—and a deeper understanding of his own capabilities beyond playing.