Former world number one and three-time Grand Slam champion Andy Murray has pulled the brakes on his budding coaching career — just months into working with longtime rival Novak Djokovic. The 38-year-old Scotsman, who retired from professional play after the 2024 Paris Olympics, stepped into Djokovic’s coaching team in late 2024 but now says he doesn’t expect to coach again “for a while”. Sky Sports+1
The turnaround has stirred up the tennis world. On one hand, his collaboration with Djokovic was a headline-making move: two titans of the sport shifting roles, from rival adversaries to coach & pupil. On the other, the fact that Murray is already stepping back begs the question: is this a brief experiment or the start of a longer journey to redefine his role in the sport?
What happened?
Murray agreed to the coaching role with Djokovic ahead of the 2025 Australian Open, surprising many given their storied rivalry. beIN SPORTS+1 The partnership lasted about six months and four tournaments, ending just before the French Open. SABC Sport+1 According to Murray the opportunity was “brilliant,” and he valued the lessons learnt in adapting from player to coach. But he also admitted: “I wasn’t planning on going into coaching as soon as I finished playing … I would do it again at some stage. I don’t think that will happen immediately.
