Andy Murray was 'starting to get nervous' in Novak Djokovic win - John McEnroe reacts to scare at 2025 Australian Open

John McEnroe says that Novak Djokovic's new coach Andy Murray "was starting to get a little nervous" in the coaching box as he watched the world No. 7 struggle at times in his second-round match at the Australian Open. Ten-time champion Djokovic dropped the second set against qualifier Jaime Faria, but recovered well to win 6-1 6-7(4) 6-3 6-2 and progress into round three.

Eurosport expert John McEnroe says that Andy Murray "was starting to get a little nervous" as he watched Novak Djokovic struggle in his second-round victory at the Australian Open.

Djokovic came through in four sets against the tricky Portuguese qualifier Jaime Faria, dropping the second set through a tie-break, but he recovered well to take the third and fourth sets and progress into the third round, 6-1 6-7(4) 6-3 6-2.

He will play Tomas Machac, the Czech 26th seed, next, live on Eurosport and discovery+.

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However, the Serb did not have it all his own way at Rod Laver Arena, as 21-year-old Faria gave him a startle in the second set, growing in confidence to break the 24-time Grand Slam champion twice, before getting the better of him in the breaker.

That scare will have unsettled Djokovic's new coach Murray, who has now watched his man drop a set in each of his two matches at the Australian Open so far - both against players outside of the world's top 100.

Djokovic dropped the first set against the determined Nishesh Basavareddy in his opening match, but rallied to come through in four.

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"Djokovic was extremely frustrated," McEnroe said. "He was up a set and a break. It was cruise control.

"But Faria woke up and he started hitting the big ball. He's a big boy. He's probably six-three, at least, maybe six-four. He packs a punch.

"Andy Murray was over there on the sideline, and was starting to get a little nervous with what was going on.

Watch Murray's reaction as coach cracks a smile while watching Djokovic

Video credit: TNT Sports

"But this is the first Grand Slam event that Faria's ever played. So I think in the third set, the nerves and the reality of the situation started to catch up to him."

Djokovic, the current world No. 7, and Daniil Medvedev, the fifth seed in Melbourne, have both noted that younger and lower-ranked players often up their levels when they face top-10 opponents, with "nothing to lose".

Medvedev was pushed to five sets by Kasidit Samrej on Tuesday, and the Russian could not believe the standard that the Thai player was showcasing, while Djokovic poked fun at Medvedev's "money, girls, casino" comment in his post-match interview after his win over Faria.

"You look at those first two matches that Djokovic has had," McEnroe explained.

"He played passive already in the first round. Faria today, they're both outside the top 100 and they played some incredible tennis.

"I think at the beginning of the third set, Djokovic was frustrated purely because of the level that they're [playing at as] his opponent.

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Video credit: TNT Sports

"They're playing with so much freedom because they can just go for their shots, and really with nothing to lose - that's where now with the coaching situation - you've got your coach right on this side of the court.

"You can have a little bit of a conversation - and perhaps he extended some of the rallies, stayed in it cross-court.

"That early part of the third, I think, was hugely important. Once Djokovic got the third set, then he was able to to run away with it."

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Watch and stream the 2025 Australian Open live on Eurosport and discovery+.

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