Novak Djokovic Wins 1st Match With Andy Murray As Coach Despite ‘Strange Experience’

Novak Djokovic’s new partnership with Andy Murray is off to a very good begin.

Djokovic consulted on courtroom along with his new coach after the third set of his 4-6, 6-4, 6-4, 6-1 victory over American Nishesh Basavareddy within the first spherical of the Australian Open, and the Serb seemed to be receptive to what Murray was saying. Nonetheless, Djokovic admitted it was a “unusual expertise” having Murray actually so near him in the course of the match.

“It’s all enterprise for us now,” Djokovic stated in his on-court interview. “Clearly, thrilled to have him in my nook. I need to say, it was a little bit little bit of an odd expertise to have him proper courtside in my field. We performed for over 20 years towards one another on the very best degree, and it’s nice to have him on the identical facet of the web.

“He gave me some nice advices mid-match. I feel it’s actually good now that we have now a possibility now to have allowed teaching on the identical facet, so we will change some suggestions, we will get our coaches to inform us what they actually see from the facet of the courtroom. It’s a totally completely different angle, and perspective, once you’re watching from the facet and he’s been doing rather well. It’s been an fulfilling expertise, hopefully we don’t cease right here.”

As for the match itself, Djokovic banged out 23 aces en path to his 18th second-round look in Melbourne, together with one on match level. He then gave flowers to Basavareddy, who has an image of Djokovic on his WhatsApp profile, for his efficiency.

“I feel he was the higher participant for a set and a half,” the 24-time main champion stated on courtroom. “He deserves each little bit of applause that he received when he was exiting the courtroom. It’s a fantastic efficiency. To be actually trustworthy with you, I’ve by no means seen him play till three, 4 days in the past, so I didn’t know a lot about him and these type of matchups are all the time difficult, all the time harmful.”

Djokovic, a ten-time Australian Open champion, introduced Murray on as a part of a trial interval as he bids to win a file twenty fifth Grand Slam title. He clearly respects Murray, who solely simply retired final yr and is acquainted with right this moment’s gamers.

“To see [Murray] so optimistic, he yells ‘Come on,’ he’s consistently getting up, he’s clapping on a regular basis, that in itself simply give s you confidence if you happen to’re Novak,” ESPN’s Mary Joe Fernandez stated on the published.

Djokovic is coming off a yr during which he lastly received an Olympic gold medal in singles on the Paris Olympics, however didn’t win a significant after successful three in 2023.

In his bid for main No. 25, he closed out Basavareddy in 4 units. Murray and the remainder of Djokovic’s staff shook fingers in celebration.

Djokovic beat Murray in 4 Australian Open finals, so if Djokovic have been to go on and win the title, Murray would be capable to say he lastly had an element in an Australian Open championship.

“This man was single-handedly liable for that, however I’m not right here to sabotage his probabilities of successful one other one,” joked Murray forward of the fortnight.

Martina Navratilova, the 18-time main champion predicted Murray will have an effect on Djokovic, who might should face world No. 3 Carlos Alcaraz within the quarterfinals after which probably No. 2 Alexander Zverev within the semis and No. 1 Jannik Sinner within the last. All of these gamers superior to the second spherical, whereas Australian favourite Nick Kyrgios, Djokovic’s most up-to-date doubles associate, misplaced in straight units whereas battling an stomach challenge.

“Novak can get actually down on himself,” Navratilova stated this week on Tennis Channel. “He’s been mouthing off at his field, however I don’t assume he’ll be doing that to Andy and that’ll assist him keep optimistic when one thing dangerous occurs and he’ll be a lot stronger, mentally, only for that cause. He’ll be on his greatest habits.”