"Andy Murray doesn't know anything about training" - Novak Djokovic's surprise decision dissected by Daniil Medvedev’s coach

The Novak Djokovic-Andy Murray partnership has certainly brought new excitement to the tennis world but Gilles Cervara, Daniil Medvedev's coach, doesn't think highly of the Scot as a trainer. Cervara has been a tennis coach since 2007.

The Frenchman joined Medvedev's contingent in 2017 and helped the latter win the 2021 US Open and reach a career-high ranking of World No. 1 in February 2022.

While talking to L'Equipe recently, Cervara touched upon Djokovic and Murray joining forces for a player-coach duo after their noted rivalry on the ATP Tour ended with the three-time Grand Slam champion's retirement in August this year.

"Knowing Murray I'm not surprised, I knew he wouldn't be able to sit still more than two or three months after his retirement. But it doesn't have what we might call a training methodology. Andy doesn't know anything about training, so he'll learn as he goes," Cervara said (via ESPN; translated).

As per Medvedev's coach, Djokovic, who split with Goran Ivanisevic in March 2024, doesn't really need assistance from a coach.

"That's not the reason why Novak wants to work with him. As far as the coach is concerned, Novak knows himself so well that he doesn't need anyone else or ask for help from the rest of his team. It is essential to challenge yourself to explore new training methodologies that may not be immediately apparent," Cervara added.

The Serb played against Murray 36 times on the court, between 2006 and 2017 claiming the head-to-head 25-11. They were supposed to compete against each other in the 2022 Madrid Masters Round of 16 but the Scot pulled out.

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"This partnership will bring things to Novak Djokovic" - Gilles Cervara

Andy Murray and Novak Djokovic at Wimbledon (Image via Getty)

In the same conversation with L'Equipe, Daniil Medvedev's coach Gilles Cervara opined Andy Murray's presence in Novak Djokovic's box would help the 24-time Grand Slam champion who's possibly in the final phase of his professional career.

"Between the two of them, everything is possible. I imagine that this partnership will bring things to Novak. After that, there is a physical and energetic reality in the order of things, which means that it will be difficult for him, with or without Murray, but also for some of his rivals," Cervara added.

The Serb is likely to feed off Murray's competitive energy that allowed the latter to achieve great things on the court.

Interestingly, it was the Serb whom the Scot defeated in 2013 to claim his maiden Wimbledon title. The two played a gripping final at Centre Court, with Murray claiming a 6-4, 7-5, 6-4 win.