Novak Djokovic admits it was “weird” having Andy Murray working as his coach, but the 24 Grand Slam title-winner said one of his biggest rivals was “refreshing” his game. I believe that if you look at it from a different perspective, you will benefit from it.
Djokovic also spoke of his frustration at being “kept in the dark” over Jannik Sinner’s doping scandal, accusing competition authorities of double standards and a lack of transparency.
Murray, who retired at the age of 37 after the Paris Olympics, made the shocking decision to join Djokovic’s team in November and recently spent 10 days with the Serbian player ahead of the new season. Murray will not be with Djokovic at this week’s Brisbane International, but the two-time Wimbledon champion is expected to join up with Djokovic in Melbourne for practice before the Australian Open.
“Being on the same side of the net is really nice for a change of pace, because he’s one of my biggest rivals,” Djokovic said on the ATP website. “In a way, sharing some of the secrets of how I feel on the court, what I’m going through, what I’m thinking, how I see my game, , which was strange for me,” someone who had always been one of my top competitors.
“But I’m very happy and very grateful that he agreed to work with me here in Australia. The 10 days we spent together were truly amazing. I enjoyed every minute of it. He’s very meticulous, very dedicated, and very professional. As one of my biggest competitors, he has a unique perspective on my game. I know the strengths and weaknesses of the game.
“He was also playing on tour not too long ago, so he knows all the other best players in the world right now, the young players and the weaknesses and strengths of their games, so I’m really looking forward to it.
“I think he brings a fresh look to my game and I can definitely benefit from that on the tennis court, but he also has that champion mentality that he has. I am confident that we will be a very good match.”
Djokovic partnered Nick Kyrgios in the doubles match in Brisbane and joined the Australian in harshly criticizing Sinner and Iga Swiatek’s handling of positive doping tests.
In August, it was announced that Sinner was found not guilty after failing two doping tests in March, and in November, Swiatek was sentenced to a one-month suspension for failing a test due to drug contamination. .
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“This is not a good image for our sport and it doesn’t look good,” Djokovic told Sky Sports. “In the last 20-plus years I’ve been playing on the Pro Tour, I believe we’re one of the cleanest sports. What I’m wondering is, how does the system actually work? The question is, does it work, and why certain players are not treated the same as others?
“We have been kept in the dark about Jannik’s case. I am not questioning whether he (the culprit) intentionally took banned substances. I believe in clean sport and players do their best to play fair. I believe he will do it, and I’ve known Jannik since he was young, but I don’t think he’s the type to do something like that. I’m really frustrated that it’s been kept secret for months.”
