“Every now and then, I have a couple of good tournaments, but mostly it’s really a challenge. It’s a struggle for me,” the Serbian Novak Djokovic admitted just weeks ago, following his shocking BNP Paribas Open defeat to Botic Van de Zandschulp. And he wasn’t wrong, was he? After a lackluster 2024 season, where an Olympic gold was his only highlight, his 2025 season hasn’t started on a great note with an injury-induced exit at the AO, followed by early-round heartbreaks in Qatar and Indian Wells. But champions arise when least expected! In Miami, Djokovic started his campaign with a commanding straight-set victory and post-match, he got candid talking about his coach, Andy Murray. What did he say?
The Serb maestro finally snapped his 3-match losing streak with a hard-fought victory in his Miami Open opener. The 24-time GS winner came out firing against Australia’s Rinky Hijikata, delivering a flawless 6-0 first set. His opponent found his rhythm in the second set, pushing Djokovic into a tense tie-break, but when the pressure was on, the 4th seed showed his championship mettle, closing it out 7-1 in the second set.
This win marked Djokovic’s first triumph in Miami since 2019, breaking a skid that included his heartbreaking AO withdrawal and back-to-back defeats to Matteo Berrettini and Botic van de Zandschulp in Doha and California respectively. In his post-match interview, Novak opened up about his coaching partnership with longtime rival, Andy Murray, offering an honest take on their evolving dynamic.
“Just super-nice guy who cares about relationships, cares about this coach/player rel. we have, and he wants me to do well. He’s just a very genuine guy. I enjoy spending time with him, for sure,” the 24-time GS winner remarked. But how did this once-intense rivalry translate into a coaching partnership?
Asked about Murray, Djokovic replied:
“Just super-nice guy who cares about relationships, cares about this coach/player rel. we have, and he wants me to do well. He’s just very genuine guy. I enjoy spending time with him, for sure.”
https://t.co/WROSyLx34G
— C Kristjánsdóttir ● (@CristinaNcl) March 22, 2025
On November 23 last year, Novak Djokovic sent shockwaves through the tennis world, unveiling former rival Andy Murray as his new coach for the early 2025 season. The veteran made the unexpected announcement via a special video collaboration with Murray on social media. Given their fierce history including clashing in multiple Grand Slam finals, including four epic Australian Open showdowns, the news was nothing short of astonishing.
“I am excited to have one of my greatest rivals on the same side of the net, as my coach…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,” Novak stated back then.
Despite the AO ending in unexpected heartbreak for Djokovic, his partnership with the Brit remains strong. Their chemistry continues to build, and Djokovic’s recent victory in Miami only reinforced that bond.
Moreover, following his much-needed win against Hijikata, Djokovic not only expressed his thoughts on his partnership with Murray but also shared an honest assessment of his performance.
“Wanted to make a statement,” —Novak after his R64 win at the Miami Open
Nole stepped onto the courts of Miami with a point to prove, and he delivered emphatically. Returning to the tournament for the first time since 2019, the six-time champion wasted no time in reminding the world that he still belonged. His victory over Hijikata marked his second consecutive win against the Aussie and, more significantly, saw him equal Rafael Nadal’s record for the most Masters 1000 wins (410) since the series’ inception way back in 1990. But for the Serbian icon, this is just the beginning, there’s history still to be made on the court.
Djokovic is on the brink of an extraordinary milestone, chasing his 100th ATP tour-level title, an achievement that would place him in elite company alongside Jimmy Connors (109) and the Swiss icon Roger Federer (103). A seventh Miami Open crown would also see him surpass the American legend Andre Agassi as the tournament’s most decorated champion.
“I wanted to make a statement to myself and to others that I’m still able to play at a high level. I lost two tournaments in the first rounds, so I really was eager to get the win in the first match in Miami. [I played] perfect tennis for a set and a half. I think he had stepped it up in the second set, deservedly took it to a tie-break, and then I played a great tie-break. All in all, there is always something you can work on, but for me it’s just about maintaining this level of tennis and trying to be even better if I can as the tournament progresses.” Novak said after the R64 match.
As Djokovic marches forward in his hunt for glory, his next challenge comes in the form of lucky loser Camilo Ugo Carabelli on Sunday. With momentum on his side and history within reach, the Serb will be eager to take another step toward that elusive 100th ATP title. Can he go all the way this time around?
The post ‘Enjoy Spending Tome’- Novak Djokovic Spills the Beans on Partnership With Andy Murray With an Honest Take appeared first on EssentiallySports.