British tennis great Andy Murray has opened up about his brief stint as a coach and hinted that he would be willing to take on the role again, provided the circumstances suit him. In a candid conversation with Sky Sports, Murray not only reflected on his experience working alongside Novak Djokovic but also weighed in on the Serbian’s prospects of clinching a historic 25th Grand Slam title.
Murray, who captured two Wimbledon crowns and a US Open title in 2012, stepped into Djokovic’s coaching camp in November 2024, just three months after announcing his retirement at the Paris Olympic Games. Their partnership, however, proved short‑lived; after six months and a handful of tournaments—including the Australian Open—the two agreed to part ways in May 2025. During the interview, Murray disclosed that he has received several offers to return to coaching, yet he is hesitant to commit to a role that would demand extensive travel away from his family.
"Djokovic probably learned nothing from me," Murray joked, adding, "I learned a lot, and honestly I would coach again, but probably not right now. I've had a few opportunities, but I don’t want to spend a lot of time on the road unless it’s with my family." The former world No.
1 also praised Djokovic’s chances of adding another major to his already impressive résumé. Djokovic, who turned 39 in May, has already amassed 24 Grand Slam victories, tying the all‑time record, and remains hungry for the 25th that would set a new benchmark. Murray believes the Serbian’s talent is still there, but cautions that age and injury management will be crucial. "He can still do it," Murray asserted.
"The challenge at his age is balancing match play with recovery. Too much tennis can lead to injuries, but too little leaves you under‑prepared for the grind of seven best‑of‑five matches over two weeks.
Last year he reached the semi‑finals at all four majors, but he also carried three injuries through those events. The preparation has to be spot‑on, with enough matches to stay sharp but not so many that his body breaks down." Murray’s own playing career was marked by brilliance and adversity. He rose to prominence in an era dominated by the "Big Three"—Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic—yet his trajectory was repeatedly interrupted by a series of injuries, culminating in a major hip‑resurfacing operation in 2019. Although he never fully recaptured his pre‑surgery dominance, Murray continued to compete out of sheer love for the sport.
"I could have retired five years earlier," he admitted. "If you only play for results, you might call it quits when the wins stop coming. But I kept playing because I loved the training, the travel, the competition.
Even after my hip surgery I could still perform at a high level, just not the level I was accustomed to. It was mentally tough, but I stayed because the sport meant so much to me." When asked whether he misses tennis, Murray surprised many by saying he does not feel a deep sense of regret. "I left when my body told me it was time, and I’m happy about that," he said. "People are often disappointed that I’m not nostalgic, but I think an athlete wants to finish on their own terms, not dragging out a painful decline.
Now I have four wonderful children and a family I love spending time with, and that’s where my focus is." Transitioning from player to coach presented a different set of challenges for Murray. He noted that while he knew Djokovic’s game intimately—having faced him countless times on court—the day‑to‑day realities of coaching were a new learning curve. "From a coaching perspective it’s about how you communicate your ideas and how you listen to the player," Murray explained.
"Having kids has helped me become more empathetic and see things from another’s point of view. As a player you’re the centre of attention; as a coach you’re a small part of a larger team trying to help someone else reach their best." Djokovic’s support crew, comprising physiotherapists, fitness experts and nutritionists from diverse backgrounds, offered Murray a glimpse into the complexity of managing a top‑tier athlete. He observed that working with someone of Djokovic’s calibre forces you to confront your own shortcomings, as the pressure highlights areas where a coach must improve.
"Being thrown into the deep end with a player as great as Novak shows you where you need to grow if you want to be a top‑level coach," Murray said. Beyond tennis, Murray is also cultivating his passion for golf. He recently mentioned that he and his older brother Jamie will soon be competing on the greens, especially after Jamie announced his retirement from professional golf. When asked who currently holds the edge, Murray laughed, "Right now it’s me.
Jamie was a very good golfer in his teens, and now that he’s retired I expect he’ll pick it up quickly again, so in six months it could be a close battle." Murray’s reflections paint a picture of a man who has transitioned gracefully from the rigours of elite sport to a more family‑centred life, while keeping a door ajar for future coaching opportunities that align with his personal priorities. His insights into Djokovic’s quest for a 25th Grand Slam, combined with his own experiences navigating injury, retirement and coaching, offer a nuanced perspective on what it takes to stay relevant in the ever‑evolving world of professional tennis. For fans who wish to follow Murray’s post‑tennis ventures, Sky Sports continues to provide live coverage of ATP and WTA events, along with streaming options via NOW and the Sky Sports app, delivering over 50 % more live sport to subscribers at no extra charge.