The recent announcement of Novak Djokovic and Andy Murray joining forces as player and coach has sparked debate within the tennis world.
While many fans and pundits have lauded the partnership, others, like tennis agent Alexander Ostrovsky, are questioning its authenticity, labelling it “more like a PR stunt than a real tandem.”
The Djokovic-Murray Alliance
Djokovic, currently ranked World No. 7, revealed in November that he would be collaborating with former rival and three-time Grand Slam champion Andy Murray for the upcoming off-season and the 2025 Australian Open swing.
The partnership comes after a challenging 2024 season for Djokovic, where he failed to secure a Grand Slam title for the first time since 2017 and dropped six spots in the ATP rankings.
The announcement quickly became a focal point in tennis circles, with supporters hailing Djokovic’s decision to enlist Murray’s expertise.
The two former World No. 1s share a storied history as rivals, and fans are eager to see how their dynamic evolves off the court.
Andy Murray telling Novak Djokovic to get back to work
“He should be on the practice court”
😂Coach Murray doesn’t mess around.
(via Novak’s IG) pic.twitter.com/wdftQnSoT7
— The Tennis Letter (@TheTennisLetter) November 29, 2024
Ostrovsky is Sceptical About the Partnership
Not everyone shares the enthusiasm for this high-profile pairing. Speaking to Championat, Alexander Ostrovsky, a renowned tennis agent and academy owner, expressed doubts about the true intent behind the partnership.
“I think that for now this looks more like a PR stunt than a real tandem,” Ostrovsky stated. “From a PR perspective, this is very interesting for the entire tennis community — for example, to see how Murray will behave in Djokovic’s box.
“But how effective will it really be? I can’t say.”
Ostrovsky also acknowledged the 37-year-old’s capacity to compete at the highest level but tempered expectations, saying, “The 2024 Olympic final showed that if Novak wants something, he gets it. On the other hand, Djokovic certainly hasn’t gotten any younger.
“It’s very difficult to cheat time. I think that Novak will definitely not be able to dominate the tour in 2025.”
In 2024, Djokovic reached just one Grand Slam final, losing to Carlos Alcaraz at Wimbledon, and suffered earlier-than-expected exits at the US Open and the French Open.
However, despite having scepticism about the partnership with Murray, Ostrovsky does believe the Serb will claim another major before he retires.
“I think Djokovic will still take one major,” Ostrovsky said.
“Historically, the Australian Open is Novak’s favourite Grand Slam. Most likely, the Serb will show his best result at the Slams next season in Melbourne.”
🚨 ANDY MURRAY BECOMES THE NEW COACH OF NOVAK DJOKOVIC
The craziest coaching appointment in tennis history, by a MILLION MILES
He really is just completing side quests at this point 🤣pic.twitter.com/hmWJM6oOuh
— Swish 🍒 Tennis (@Zwxsh) November 23, 2024
