Is 'legend' Murray the key for more Djokovic success at the Australian Open?

Novak Djokovic has had little trouble succeeding at the Australian Open. Yet the record 10-time champion will now look to longtime rival turned coach Andy Murray in pursuit of further glory at the first major of the year.

“He gives me motivation [and] inspires me to be spending time on the court,” Djokovic said of Murray. “There's a lot of communication about every shot in the game, my game, tactics, mental approach, communication on the court during matches, practice sessions.

“He's very meticulous, a very dedicated professional. So far I've been enjoying this collaboration.”

Djokovic, who is preparing for his 20th appearance at the Australian Open, will hope that their partnership brings more than just enjoyment. With an insatiable appetite for success, the 37-year-old is bidding to clinch a record-extending 25th Grand Slam title - a triumph in Melbourne would also secure his status as the third man to reach 100 tour-level titles (Connors 109, Federer 103).

“I think that his unique perspective on my game is the fact that he has played me for 25 years,” said Djokovic, who leads Murray 25-11 in their Lexus ATP Head2Head series. “First time we faced each other was when we were 12 years old. He knows the evolution of my game, I guess the weaknesses and strengths of my game.

“We talk about a lot of different things. He's trying to understand me on different levels. He also knows the game, the tennis game, of the biggest players in the world right now because he has just recently retired as a player.

”He has done an incredible job, particularly after he got the surgery, his artificial hip, winning tournaments after that, playing at Challenger level. [He is] someone that is a legend of the sport, just showing everyone what it means to be a champion in a real sense of that word.”

Djokovic concluded his 2024 season at the ATP Masters 1000 in Shanghai, where he lost to World No. 1 Jannik Sinner in the final. The 37-year-old began 2025 in Birbsane and, although he fell to a straight-sets defeat to Reilly Opelka in the quarter-finals, Djokovic will aim to forge momentum at his most fruitful destination on Tour.

Making his first appearance in the main draw of a Grand Slam, 19-year-old Nishesh Basavareddy awaits Djokovic in the opening round in Melbourne. While his experience pales in comparison to that of 24-time major champion Djokovic, the Serbian recognises the importance of starting well.

“I'm sure that he is going to be really pumped to make a statement,” Djokovic said of Basavareddy, who competed at the Next Gen ATP Finals presented by PIF in Jeddah in December. “I have to approach that match very seriously, like any other, and do my best to get a win. Also in the process, enjoy the nice moment of sharing the court with him.”