Novak Djokovic admits it has been “strange” to have Andy Murray working as his coach however believes he’ll profit from one in all his best rivals taking a “fresh look” at his sport.
Murray, who retired after the Paris Olympics on the age of 37, made the shock choice to hitch Djokovic’s crew in November and just lately spent 10 days with the Serb in preparation for the brand new season.
Though Murray isn’t with Djokovic for this week’s Brisbane Worldwide, the two-time Wimbledon champion will be part of him in Melbourne for coaching forward of the Australian Open.
“Being on the same side of the net is actually great for a change because he’s been one of my greatest rivals,” Djokovic mentioned on the ATP web site.
“In a manner it was unusual for me to share all these sorts of insights about how I really feel on the court docket, sharing among the secrets and techniques of what I am going by, what I am interested by, how I see my sport with someone that has been all the time one of many high rivals.
“However I am so glad and really grateful that he has accepted to work with me right here in Australia.
“The ten days that we spent collectively have been terrific. I loved each little bit of it. He is very meticulous, he is very devoted, so skilled.
“He has a unique perspective on my game as one of the greatest rivals that I’ve had. He knows the pros and cons of my game.
“He has additionally performed as much as just lately on the tour, so he is aware of all the opposite finest gamers presently on this planet, the kids and the weaknesses and strengths of their sport. So I sit up for it, I actually do.
“I think he’s bringing a fresh look to my game and I think I’ll be able to benefit from that, no doubt, on the tennis court. But also that kind of champion’s mentality that he has, I’m sure that we’ll match very well.”
Djokovic blames ‘lack of transparency’ in Sinner doping case
Please use Chrome browser for a extra accessible video participant
Nick Kyrgios has spoken out after each Iga Swiatek and Jannik Sinner have confronted doping prices
The 24-time Grand Slam winner has additionally spoken of his frustration at being “kept in the dark” over Jannik Sinner’s doping case, accusing the sport’s authorities of double requirements and a scarcity of transparency.
It was introduced in August that Sinner had failed two doping checks in March however was cleared of fault, whereas in November Iga Swiatek was handed a one-month ban for a failed check brought on by contaminated medicine.
“It’s not a good image, not a good look for our sport,” Djokovic mentioned. “I believe that in the last 20-plus years that I’ve been playing on the professional tour that we’ve been one of the cleanest sports.
“I am simply questioning the way in which the system works actually and why sure gamers will not be handled the identical like the opposite gamers. The difficulty is the inconsistency, the transparency.
“We’ve been kept in the dark with Jannik’s case. I’m not questioning whether he took the banned substance intentionally or not.
“I consider within the clear sport, I consider the participant will do every little thing attainable to be taking part in truthful and I’ve recognized Jannik since he was very younger – he does not strike me as someone that might do such a factor.
“But I’ve been really frustrated, as most of the players [have], to see that we’ve been kept in the dark for five months.”
Please use Chrome browser for a extra accessible video participant
A have a look at the very best and largest moments of Sinner from 2024
The Olympic gold medallist will purpose to win his one hundredth ATP singles title in Brisbane earlier than chasing a record-extending eleventh Australian Open title and record-breaking twenty fifth Grand Slam.
