Novak Djokovic and Andy Murray have ended their coaching partnership after six months following Djokovic’s poor run of results this season.
“Thank you, coach Andy, for all the hard work, fun & support over last six months on & off the court, really enjoyed deepening our friendship together,” said Djokovic in a statement.
Djokovic and Murray, rivals who competed against each other in numerous grand slam finals, shocked the tennis world by announcing their coaching partnership before their first training block in December last year.
The collaboration started off relatively well, with an injured Djokovic producing an excellent performance to beat Carlos Alcaraz in the quarter-finals of the Australian Open before being forced to retire from his subsequent match against Alexander Zverev.
During the Australian Open, Djokovic had been full of praise about Murray’s work ethic and the extra motivation his former rival had helped him to unlock. They quickly agreed to extend their trial period with a view to work together until at least Wimbledon. However, since recovering from injury, Djokovic has struggled badly with his form.
After losing three matches in a row going into the Miami Open, where he lost in the final to Jakub Mensik, the 37-year-old is on another three-match losing streak with straight-sets opening round defeats to the world No 32, Alejandro Tabilo, and No 44, Matteo Arnaldi, in Monte Carlo and Madrid. After his latest defeat Djokovic withdrew from the Italian Open.
“Kind of a new reality for me, I have to say,” Djokovic said in Madrid. “Trying to win a match or two, not really thinking about getting far in the tournament. It’s a completely different feeling from what I had in 20-plus years of professional tennis, so it’s kind of a challenge for me mentally to really face these sensations on the court, going out early now regularly in the tournaments.”
Djokovic has since taken a wildcard into the Geneva Open next week, which begins a week before the French Open, as he tries to find his form again.
“Thanks to Novak for the unbelievable opportunity to work together and thanks to his team for all their hard work over the past six months. I wish Novak all the best for the rest of the season,” Murray said in a statement.
