In a surprising yet respectful split, Novak Djokovic and Andy Murray have ended their coaching partnership just six months after it began. The collaboration between two of tennis’ modern legends stirred excitement across the sport, but ultimately, their time together was brief—yet memorable.
The decision was said to be mutual, and it means Murray will not be in Djokovic’s corner as the 24-time Grand Slam champion prepares for his campaign to win an eighth Wimbledon title in July.
From Rivals to Allies
The partnership, forged in November, brought together two fierce former rivals—both former world number ones and multiple Grand Slam winners—now sharing knowledge from opposite sides of the net. Murray, 37, had just stepped into a new chapter, beginning his journey into coaching following his gradual departure from competitive play. Djokovic, also 37, saw Murray as a valuable asset during a pivotal phase of his career.
Their professional bond started strong. Djokovic reached the semi-finals of the Australian Open in January, where he was eventually forced to retire injured after dropping the first set. Their reunion drew plenty of attention, not just for the tennis outcomes, but for the story: a respected peer helping a long-time competitor.
“It’s like Messi becoming the coach of Cristiano Ronaldo,” said world number 11 Daniil Medvedev—a comment that perfectly captured the surreal nature of the arrangement.
On-Court Results and Challenges
Despite a promising start, the results didn’t match expectations. Djokovic’s season, by his own lofty standards, has been challenging. He has lost his opening match in four of his last five tournaments and suffered a surprising defeat in the Miami Open final to 19-year-old Jakub Mensik. That final appearance, however, was one of the few highlights of his 2025 season so far—and the last major tournament Murray attended courtside.
Djokovic has yet to win a clay-court match this season and was notably absent from the Italian Open, withdrawing without explanation. He’s now accepted a wildcard into the Geneva Open in a bid to build momentum ahead of the French Open, which kicks off on May 26—three days after his 38th birthday.
Heartfelt Goodbyes
Both Djokovic and Murray took to social media to express mutual respect and gratitude for their time together.
“Thank you, coach Andy, for all the hard work, fun and support over the last six months on and off the court,” Djokovic posted. “Really enjoyed deepening our friendship.”
Murray responded, “Thanks to Novak for the unbelievable opportunity to work together, and thanks to his team for all their hard work over the past six months. I wish Novak all the best for the rest of the season.”
The tone of both messages underscored the unique friendship between the two—one built over decades of competing, winning, and growing alongside each other since their teenage years.
A Glimpse into the Future
For Murray, this short stint may mark the beginning of a longer journey into coaching. By his own admission, it was a “steep learning curve,” but one he embraced. Djokovic, for his part, spoke highly of Murray’s tennis intelligence and emotional intuition as a coach.
“His tennis IQ is very high,” Djokovic noted earlier this year. “He observes and speaks when it’s most important… I must say, at the beginning, it was a bit strange to open up to him that way—not negatively—but just because he’s always been one of my greatest rivals.”
The coaching experiment may not have yielded major titles, but it gave fans and players alike a unique glimpse into a rare partnership, rich in respect and mutual admiration.
As Djokovic pushes toward his record-extending 25th Grand Slam title, possibly at Wimbledon, and Murray considers his next steps off the court, the chapter they shared will remain a memorable twist in their storied careers.
