Novak Djokovic will be looking to win a record-extending 25th Grand Slam title in 2025.24-times a Grand Slam champion, Djokovic didn’t have things all his own way last year, as he failed to pick up an ATP title for the first time since 2005.Djokovic did win Olympic Gold, however, as he achieved a lifelong dream in Paris during the summer, beating Carlos Alcaraz in the final.Photo by Maja Hitij/Getty ImagesHis win at Roland Garros was in part revenge for Djokovic’s loss to Alcaraz at Wimbledon just a few months prior, where the Serb lost in the final for the second year running.Djokovic withdrew from the ATP Finals and Paris Masters at the end of the year, finishing up as world number seven, his lowest year-end ranking since 2017.Ahead of the new year Djokovic hired Andy Murray as his new coach, a move that several former ATP stars have been discussing.John Isner and Sam Querrey both think Novak Djokovic won’t be ‘angry’ anymore with Andy Murray in his boxSpeaking on the Nothing Major podcast, former Miami Open champion John Isner gave his thoughts on Djokovic and Murray’s new partnership.“I think it’s a great hire from [Novak] Djokovic because he is trying to find something new to motivate him,” said Isner.“[Andy] Murray is going to bring a great deal of tactical advice to Novak’s camp, he is a fantastic tennis mind but to me, it’s more than that.More Tennis News“It’s someone in the box who Novak respects so much that he is not going to get angry at all to Andy in the box, so it’s going to keep him centred mentally on court.“Murray was the best because he was able to compete and win Slams with not as much weaponry as Djokovic, [Roger] Federer, and [Rafael] Nadal so he had to think his way through each and every match.“He is going to add a lot of insight there but for me it’s just someone to look up to, stay focused, not get frustrated on the court.”Former American star Sam Querrey was in agreement as he suggested that the move will have a positive effect on Djokovic’s temperament.Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images“I do agree with John [Isner] that it will keep Novak grounded on the court.“I don’t think he will get that high or low on the court with Murray there because he kind of owes it to Murray to be level headed and not waste his time.“But ultimately I think it’s kind of fun and a vibes thing.”2018 Paris Masters winner Jack Sock was less convinced that the move would help tactically and more so agreed that the ‘vibes’ were a big motivator.Photo by Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images“This is a vibes play, a PR play,” he said.“I don’t think there is going to be much coaching.“I think at this point in your career, it would be like having one of us in each other’s box, you get to look up and you are probably going to enjoy your time on court.“I don’t know about the amount of tactical coaching and all that, what are you going to tell Novak at this point?“I think this is a vibes play for me.”Have Novak Djokovic and Andy Murray started working together yet?Murray and Djokovic are set to work together at the Australian Open later this month, but have the pair spent any time together since their coaching arrangement was announced?In an interview ahead of the Brisbane International Djokovic revealed that he and Murray spent over a week together, spending quality time together on and off the court.“I love talking to him about the nuances, the details, how I can improve my game,” he said.Photo by PATRICK HAMILTON/AFP via Getty Images“What I have been getting from him already is really positive, but, you know, we haven’t spent too many days on the court together, so I look forward to having him in Melbourne.”Murray spent the last week skiing, missing Djokovic’s opening tournament of the season at the Brisbane International.Djokovic lost in the Brisbane quarter-finals to Reilly Opelka, his lowest-ranked defeat in 15 years, as he fell to the world number 293.Djokovic will look to bounce back at the Australian Open which begins on January 12, alongside his new coach Murray.
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