Andy Murray and Novak Djokovic have stopped working together with immediate effect.
Murray joined Djokovic’s coaching team in November ahead of the start of the 2025 season, and was in his box for the Australian Open, where the 24-time Grand Slam champion defeated Carlos Alcaraz on the way to the semifinals. A leg injury picked up in that win then forced Djokovic to retire after losing the first set of his semifinal against Alexander Zverev.
Murray’s presence in the Djokovic coaching box was a huge talking point in Melbourne, understandably so given the rareness of having two recent rivals teaming up like this. And as the tournament went on, they seemed to work each other out a bit more and develop a bit of chemistry. There was a warm embrace after Djokovic battled his way past Alcaraz in four sets — even if Murray looked a little sheepish.
“I’ll definitely have a chat with Andy and thank him for being here with me,” Djokovic said in a news conference after losing to Zverev. “Give him my feedback, which is, of course, positive, and see how he feels and we make the next step.”
Murray for his part said that he was “a little bit embarrassed” by the attention their partnership received but that he had had a great experience working with Djokovic and his team. He added that the pair would sit down to discuss their future together.
Djokovic’s next event with Murray was March’s BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells, Calif., where the former said ahead of the tournament that: “It’s indefinite in terms of how long we are going to work together but we agreed we are going to work most likely in the States and then some clay-court tournaments and see how it goes after that.”
Murray was part of Djokovic’s team in Madrid last month (Clive Brunskill/Getty Images)
Djokovic lost his opening match in Indian Wells to the then world No. 85 Botic van de Zandschulp, however, and though he reached the final in Miami, results have generally been terrible since the Australian Open. Aside from Miami, Djokovic has lost his opening match in four of the five tournaments he’s played since, including most recently at the Madrid Open last month. He skipped the Italian Open that is currently ongoing but will play at the ATP 250 event — the lowest run of the ATP Tour — in Geneva next week.
The expectation was that Murray would be with Djokovic for the French Open, which begins on May 25, but the pair confirmed the split on Tuesday morning.
“Thank you, coach Andy, for all the hard work, fun & support over last six months on & off the court, really enjoyed deepening our friendship together ,” Djokovic said in a statement via an email from a representative for Murray.
Murray added: “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.”
Djokovic, currently ranked No. 6, turns 38 next week and hopes at Roland Garros or Wimbledon to win a 25th singles Grand Slam title, taking him clear of Margaret Court, with whom he currently jointly holds the record.
(Top photo: William West/AFP via Getty Images)