British tennis icon Andy Murray opened up about his brief stint as a coach and hinted that he might be willing to step back onto the sidelines under the right circumstances. In a candid conversation with Sky Sports, the two‑time Wimbledon champion reflected on his experience working alongside Novak Djokovic and discussed the Serbian star’s prospects of clinching a historic 25th Grand Slam title. Murray’s coaching adventure began in November 2024, just three months after he formally retired from professional tennis at the Paris Olympic Games. He joined Djokovic’s support team, which at the time comprised a diverse group of physiotherapists, fitness experts, nutritionists and other specialists drawn from a range of cultural backgrounds.
The partnership lasted for six months, covering the Australian Open and three additional tournaments before both parties agreed to part ways in May 2025. During the interview, Murray, who is only a week older than the 38‑year‑old Djokovic, admitted that he had received several offers to return to coaching. "Djokovic probably learned nothing from me," he joked, before adding, "No, I learned a lot and honestly, I would coach again but probably not right now.
I've had a few opportunities to coach but I don’t really want to do loads of travelling right now unless it’s with my family." The former world No. 1 explained that moving from player to coach was a completely different challenge. Having spent his career as the focal point of a team, Murray now had to operate as a small but essential part of a larger coaching unit.
"From a coaching perspective it’s about how you communicate your message to the player you’re working with and how to listen to them," he said. He noted that becoming a father had sharpened those skills, giving him a better understanding of empathy and perspective.
Murray also highlighted the learning curve involved in coaching someone as accomplished as Djokovic. "You understand your flaws because you’re thrown into the deep end working with someone as great as he is, so it shows you what you need to improve on if you want to be a great coach," he observed. This introspection, he suggested, was a valuable by‑product of the experience, even if the partnership was short‑lived.
Turning to Djokovic’s chances of breaking the all‑time Grand Slam record, Murray expressed confidence. The Serbian has already matched the 24‑title mark with his 2023 US Open victory and has come close in recent majors, finishing runner‑up to Carlos Alcaraz at Wimbledon 2024 and to an unnamed opponent at the Australian Open this year. "I think he can," Murray affirmed.
He warned, however, that age and injury management are critical factors. "When you get to the age that he’s at, if you play too much tennis you risk injury or you’re not fresh for the majors. But if you don’t compete enough, your body isn’t match‑hardened and you struggle to endure seven matches over two weeks. It’s a delicate balance." Murray recounted Djokovic’s 2023 season, when the Serb reached the semifinals of all four Grand Slams but also dealt with three injuries across those events.
"It has to be perfect preparation with enough match play and enough training," Murray explained. He pointed to Djokovic’s recent victories over Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner as evidence that the champion still possesses the firepower to claim another title, provided his schedule and conditioning are managed wisely. Reflecting on his own career, Murray acknowledged the extraordinary era in which he competed, sharing the court with legends such as Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic.
Persistent injuries, particularly a major hip‑resurfacing operation in 2019, curtailed his ability to consistently perform at his pre‑surgery level. Yet, he insisted that love for the sport kept him going.
"I could have retired four or five years earlier. If the only reason you play a sport is the results, you might have stopped.
I kept playing because I loved the training, the travelling, the competition. Even after the hip surgery I could still compete at a high level, just not the level I was used to." Murray emphasized that he left the game on his own terms, listening to his body when it signalled it was time. "I’m really happy about that because people ask me why I don’t miss it and are surprised I’m not devastated.
I think that’s what you want as an athlete – to finish your career without dragging it out for four or five years while you’re struggling," he said. He now looks forward to life with his four children and the time he can spend with his family.
Beyond tennis, Murray has found a new competitive outlet on the golf course, often playing alongside his older brother Jamie. Jamie recently announced his retirement from professional golf, prompting a friendly rivalry between the siblings. When asked who is currently the better golfer, Murray quipped, "Right now, it’s me. He was a very good golfer at 15‑16, but now that he’s finished I imagine he’ll get good quite quickly again, so maybe in six months it’ll be tough." Murray’s story illustrates the multifaceted transition athletes face when moving from the spotlight of competition to roles behind the scenes or entirely new pursuits.
While he may not be eager to embark on another full‑time coaching assignment at this stage, his willingness to consider selective opportunities suggests that his wealth of experience will continue to benefit the sport in some capacity. Whether he returns to tennis in a mentorship role, continues to enjoy golf with his brother, or simply embraces family life, Andy Murray remains a respected figure whose insights into elite performance, injury management and the mental resilience required at the highest level are invaluable. For fans who wish to follow Murray’s post‑tennis endeavors, Sky Sports offers live coverage of ATP and WTA events, as well as streaming options through the NOW platform and the Sky Sports app, delivering more than 50 percent additional live sport content at no extra charge.