Andy Murray's ex-coach makes big prediction about Brit's highly anticipated partnership with Novak Djokovic 

Andy Murray's former coach Daniel Vallverdu made a big prediction regarding the highly anticipated partnership between Murray and Novak Djokovic. Last month, the Serb announced that Murray would be joining his team as his coach for the upcoming 2025 season.

Djokovic ended his six-year partnership with his former coach Goran Ivanisevic in March of this year after a third-round loss at the 2024 Indian Wells Masters. Although the Serb won the gold medal at the 2024 Paris Olympics by defeating Alcaraz, he had an uncannily underwhelming season this year, failing to secure a title.

The former World No.1's best performance was finishing as the runner-up at both the 2024 Wimbledon Championships and the Shanghai Masters, where he was defeated by Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner in the finals, respectively.

In an interview with The National published on December 19, Daniel Vallverdu, who coached Andy Murray from 2010 to 2014, shared his thoughts on the Scot coaching Novak Djokovic. He expressed that Murray would serve as a significant source of "motivation" for the 24-time Grand Slam champion

“I think he brings a lot – and a lot more than people can think of as a first impression. I think he will bring motivation, he will bring a sense of, it’s them against the younger boys,” Vallverdu said.

Vallverdu said that with Murray as his coach, Djokovic would have someone who has experienced similar situations.

“It will bring a sense of having someone by his side that has not only been through similar situations that he has, but who has been alongside him when he’s been going through these situations and also on the other side of the court,” he continued.

The Venezuelan also pointed out that Andy Murray's extensive "tennis knowledge" and "IQ" would greatly benefit the Serb during their time working together.

“He will bring incredible tennis knowledge and incredible tennis IQ, which between the two of them, in my opinion, they’re currently two players – and Andy being an ex-player – that have the highest tennis IQ, they’re just two brilliant tennis minds,” Daniel Vallverdu said.

During his tenure as Andy Murray's coach, Daniel Vallverdu helped the former World No.1 win a gold medal at the 2012 London Olympics. Under the Venezuelan's guidance, Murray also claimed the 2012 US Open and the 2013 Wimbledon Championship titles, triumphing over Novak Djokovic on both occasions.

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“I’m expecting Novak Djokovic to have an incredible season, Andy Murray will bring huge value” - Daniel Vallverdu

Novak Djokovic Andy Murray at Wimbledon 2024 [Source: Getty]

In the aforementioned interview, Daniel Vallverdu said that the coach-player relationship between Andy Murray and Novak Djokovic will be both positive and fruitful.

“From my perspective I can’t wait to see the outcome and I cannot wait to see how that relationship develops. You never know obviously what the results will be but my sense is that it will be a very fruitful and positive partnership and a very positive coach-player relationship with great results,” Vallverdu said.

Vallverdu claimed that the three-time Grand Slam champion will bring a "huge value" to their partnership, which in turn will help the Serb get “good results."

“I’m expecting Novak to have an incredible season and to have really good results. I think Andy will bring huge value and it will become a team where they will feel, OK, we the older guys are now having to take on the younger generation with all our knowledge,” he added.

He added:

“Knowing them both, they will give everything they have to try and achieve all of Novak’s goals. So it will be very special to watch and I cannot wait.”

Andy Murray's first tournament as Novak Djokovic's coach will be the 2025 Brisbane International which is scheduled to take place from December 30, 2024, to January 6, 2025.