Djokovic says it was shocking and exciting to work with Murray

No one saw coming Novak Djokovic’s choice to work with his rival Andy Murray, who recently quit. Djokovic said he was thrilled at the thought of the two former world number ones working together.

Last week, Murray agreed to join Djokovic’s team. At the Australian Open next year, he will teach the 24-time Grand Slam winner.

“I was going through a process of thinking about next season in the last couple of months, and trying to figure out what I need at this stage of my career,” Djokovic said on Sky Sports.

“In March, I broke up with my coach Goran Ivani{evic, who I had a great time working with for many years.” So I really thought for about six months about whether I needed a coach and, if so, who that coach would be and what kind of person they would be.

The 37-year-old said that he and his team looked at a lot of job applicants, but the standards were very strict.

“We were going through different names and I realised the perfect coach for me at this point would be someone that has been through the experiences that I’m going through, possibly a multiple Grand Slam winner, former number one,” he said.

“I had other people on my mind when the Andy Murray topic came up for discussion with my team and me.” I picked up the phone to call him and see how things go.

“It caught him a little bit off guard as well because he wasn’t expecting it, so we connected really fast and he accepted after a few days.”

When the first major of the year starts on January 12, Djokovic will be trying to win an unprecedented 11th Australian Open title with the help of Murray, who has won Wimbledon twice and three Grand Slams.

“I’m so excited about it!” “This collaboration is a surprise for everyone, including me,” Djokovic said.

“But tennis fans will enjoy it. I’ve had a lot of trouble with him. We’re the same age. There are no big grounds we haven’t played in. I’m excited to get ready for next season on the game.