Andy Murray warned of potential 'clash' with Novak Djokovic by former British tennis star
WATCH NOW: Sports round-up after Novak Djokovic confirms Andy Murray as new coach
Greg Rusedski has expressed fears that Andy Murray and Novak Djokovic could be a 'clash of personalities' - with the pair set to work together at the 2025 Australian Open.
Djokovic confirmed the Briton would be part of his backroom team for the first Grand Slam of next year, saying in a video: “We played each other since we were boys.
"25 years of being rivals. Of pushing each other beyond our limits.
"We had some of the most epic battles in our sports. They called us game changers, risk takers, and history makers.
Greg Rusedski has expressed fears that Andy Murray and Novak Djokovic could be a 'clash of personalities' - with the pair set to work together at the 2025 Australian Open.
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"I thought our story maybe over, turns out it has one final chapter.
"It's time for one of my toughest opponents to step into my corner. Welcome on-board coach Andy Murray.”
Many figures within the tennis would are excited about the appointment.
Djokovic, after all, is chasing a historic 25th Grand Slam that would move him one ahead of Margaret Court - who won 24 majors throughout her own career.
Novak Djokovic coached by Andy Murray is going to be fascinating to watch the player coach relationship .Andy is a great tactician ,knows all the current player’s strengths & weaknesses. This could be an inspired choice or will it be a clash of personalities? Intriguing
— Greg Rusedski (@GregRusedski1) November 24, 2024
Yet Rusedski, writing on social media, fears that the decision could backfire due to a 'clash of personalities'.
"Novak Djokovic coached by Andy Murray is going to be fascinating to watch the player coach relationship," he said on X.
"Andy is a great tactician. knows all the current player’s strengths & weaknesses.
"This could be an inspired choice or will it be a clash of personalities? Intriguing."
Many tennis fans have, however, told Rudeski that they feel the appointment will pay off.
"More I think about the more I like it. The margins are so small in tennis at the top levels that any edge Andy provides Novak can make the difference. Also it will revitalize him for #25 with a fresh voice," said one user.
A second wrote: "Intriguing indeed! If they make it past the honeymoon stage, I have high hopes for this partnership."
A third stated: "They have been friends since junior days. There won't be a clash of personalities."
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And another said: "Inspired because of the tactical and strategy add he will bring…you need a level of clash when pursuing excellence but their existing friendship is a good stable base to handle that."
Former tennis star Julien Benneteau, meanwhile, feels Djokovic has brought in Murray in to help him beat the likes of Carlos Alcaraz, Jannik Sinner and Alexander Zverev at a Grand Slam.
Benneteau, per Tennisuptodate.com, said: “It’s not because you were a great player that you are a good coach and that guarantees success as a coach.
"Andy Murray will have the role of coach, not trainer; he will not teach him how to hit a forehand or a backhand.
Andy Murray and Novak Djokovic will work together at the 2025 Australian Open
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“I think Djokovic has a real motivation to reach 25 Grand Slams, to be the only one to have done it, and he will do everything for it.
“And the fact that Murray joins him in his team, it is a signal that he sends to the others and also to himself in order to have another voice, another vision on the game of Alcaraz and Sinner to be able to beat them in five sets.
“We must not forget [Alexander] Zverev, who finished the year strongly.
"And I think it is in this perspective that he calls on Andy Murray.”
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