Novak Djokovic hails Andy Murray for 'best tennis' since gold medal at Paris 2024 Olympic Games ahead of Indian Wells
Updated 07/03/2025 at 11:38 GMT
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Novak Djokovic believes coach Andy Murray has helped him play his best tennis since he won the gold medal at the 2024 Paris Olympic Games. The former British No. 1 helped the 24-time Grand Slam champion at the Australian Open, and will now stay on as his coach indefinitely. Djokovic also confirmed that he is fit to play at Indian Wells after being seen limping at Doha Airport in a video.
Novak Djokovic of Serbia and his coach Andy Murray working on his serve during a practice session at the BNP Paribas Open at Indian Wells Tennis Garden on March 06, 2025 in Indian Wells, California. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images)
Image credit: Getty Images
Novak Djokovic believes Andy Murray's training has helped him play his "best tennis" since he won gold at the 2024 Paris Olympic Games last summer.
The two tennis legends formed an unlikely partnership last November, with the Scot coaching the 24-time Grand Slam champion to the Australian Open semi-finals.
Djokovic announced that Murray would stay on as his coach indefinitely in February and thinks that his game has gone to a different level since Murray joined his camp.
"I'm enjoying the relationship with Andy," Djokovic said in a press conference.
"I still feel like we are going through the process of getting to know each other on the court in a different way than we have known each other for 25 years.
"So it's obviously a new role for him. I think we had a great tournament, a great run in Australia, and I like the way I played.
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Courier could see Murray returning for Roland-Garros and Wimbledon
Video credit: TNT Sports
"It was unfortunate to finish the tournament the way I did, but it was an injury issue.
"I think I've played maybe the best tennis that I played in quite some time since the Olympics actually. So I definitely [attribute] that to the work that I had with Andy."
Djokovic was forced to withdraw from his Australian Open semi-final against Alexander Zverev due to a leg injury.
The former British No. 1 now looks set to assist his old rival at the French Open and Wimbledon later this year.
"I mean, for me personally, I want to keep going like the same day we finish the tournament, so I told him that," he said.
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"But for him, it took some time to go back and reflect on the partnership, speak to his people, his family and see how committed he wants to be, and where he can travel with me and work in terms of the schedule.
"So I was very glad when he decided to keep going. [I plan to play] Indian Wells, Miami and most of the clay-court season. So we're going to speak after Miami, obviously.
"But I think the plan is to go all the way until the end of Roland Garros to hopefully Wimbledon as well."
Djokovic will get his Indian Wells campaign underway against Botic van de Zandschulp on Saturday, March 8.
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Djokovic can still be 'dangerous' and will keep going 'for as long as he can' – Wilander
Video credit: TNT Sports
The Serbian star confirmed that he is feeling fine after a video emerged of him appearing to limp through Doha Airport following the Qatar Open.
"I haven't felt any problems prior to Doha and the Doha tournament," he added. "I felt completely fine, as I have felt in the lead-up to Indian Wells in my training weeks. I'm feeling good.
"It was awkward to see that video because I arrived at the airport and I hit myself really badly as I was walking out because it was very early, I think 4 or 5am.
"I was just limping because I hit myself badly in the ankle. That's all, it was just a hit.
"It was nothing, nothing else, but then people connected it to the injury and thought, that is something escalating and coming back."
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