Novak Djokovic has heaped praise on Andy Murray, attributing a “fresh perspective” in his preparation for the upcoming season to the influence of his long-time rival.
The Serbian superstar, who has won a record 24 men's singles Grand Slam titles, is gearing up for his first tournament since announcing Murray as his new coach, a partnership that has already generated significant buzz within the tennis world.
Djokovic and Murray went head-to-head in several high-stakes matches over the years, and the 37-year-old believes the former world No.1 brings invaluable insight and a unique approach to the game.
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“Being on the same side of the net is actually great for a change because he’s been one of my greatest rivals,” Djokovic said of Murray.
“In a way it was strange for me to share all these kinds of insights about how I feel on the court, sharing some of the secrets of what I’m going through, what I’m thinking about, how I see my game with somebody that has been always one of the top rivals.
“But I’m so glad and very thankful that he has accepted to work with me here in Australia.
“The 10 days that we spent together were terrific. I enjoyed every bit of it. He’s very meticulous, he’s very dedicated, so professional.
“He has a unique perspective on my game as one of the greatest rivals that I’ve had. He knows the pros and cons of my game.
“He has also played up to recently on the tour, so he knows all the other best players currently in the world, the youngsters and the weaknesses and strengths in their game. So I look forward to it, I really do.
“I think he’s bringing a fresh look to my game and I think I’ll be able to benefit from that, no doubt, on the tennis court. But also that kind of champion’s mentality that he has, I’m sure that we’ll match very well.”
