“I’m excited to have one of my greatest rivals in my team, on the same side of the net, this time as my coach”, said 24-time Grand Slam winner Novak Djokovic last month, announcing Andy Murray as his new coach. The former British ATP pro is set to join the former World No.1 with next year’s Australian Open tour. Their player-coach dynamic is yet to be seen in matches. But a former Serbian pro has already expressed major concern for this partnership’s future. But why?

Last month, during an interaction with Ubitennis, ex-ATP pro Nenad Zimonjić shared his thoughts on Novak-Murray’s association. Per the former World No.1 in doubles, this team-up initially looks promising. “They (Djokovic and Murray) know each other quite well and they’ve been playing against each other or together since they were kids. They have a similar style. Tactically, Andy was one of the best guys. So he can help him with a different view and different perspectives,” he said. But at the same time, Nenad believes that they may not stay together for long.

Murray happens to be the reason for a potential split in the long run. Speaking on the possibilities of him remaining as a permanent coach, Zimonjic said, “This is something that is going to be new for everybody. That’s probably why they agreed to work through the Australian Open and see how that goes and if it fits well.” 

Continuing further, he added, “They could continue working together, but it might depend on how much Andy wants to travel as well after playing for so many years.” It’s worth noting that Murray will not travel with Novak to the Brisbane International this month(according to a report by the PA news agency). No reason has been given as to why Murray will not make the trip to Brisbane. He will join him only during the Major event in January.

Fun fact: Nenad is one of the few to have played both Novak and Andy in a Grand Slam doubles match. In 2006’s Australian Open, during the first round, he and his partner Fabrice Santoro defeated the duo.

Despite expressing concerns about the new collaboration, Nenad wished Djoker and Andy good luck. “I was a good friend with Andy and I practiced many times with him and even had the chance to play doubles with him in a couple of tournaments. It’s exciting to see and I’m looking forward to what’s to come,” he concluded. Meanwhile, several other notable tennis figures clearly believe that Novak and Andy’s team will prove effective.

ATP Legend Jimmy Connors backs Novak Djokovic and Andy Murray’s partnership

The former American ATP pro thinks this association may work wonders. In an episode of the Advantage Connors podcast, he expressed his honest thoughts on the big news. Per Connors, having Murray on his side will help Novak in pursuing his Australian Open campaign in a better way. But how?

“I think it enters a comfort zone. You know, that they’ve competed against each other, they know each other’s game, they have spent time together, you know, not only on the court for sure, playing great matches, but maybe also off the court,” he said.

Adding weight to his reasoning, he revealed that “there comes a point in time in your later years where, you know, if you feel comfortable and you feel relaxed, that, you know, with the people around you, allows you to go out and to attempt to play your best tennis and give it your all.”

Citing their longtime friendship as a key factor, Connors mentioned that an aging Novak may feel more comfortable alongside Andy. “You know, because, the older you get, you know, it’s tougher to push yourself, you know, to, you know, even though, I mean, you look at Joker, I mean, he does everything, you know, to get himself in prime condition and whatever it takes to be the best,” he added.

In his career, Novak Djokovic has clinched the Australian Open ten times. Do you think he will get his 11th trophy at the event in 2025 with coach Murray? Let us know in the comments below.