Jimmy Connors gives his verdict on Novak Djokovic hiring Andy Murray as new coach & shares why it's a good fit

Former American player and coach Jimmy Connors reacted to Andy Murray hiring Novak Djokovic as his coach for the start of the 2025 season, talking about how the Serb will be comfortable working with someone he has already competed with.

Connors etched his name as one of the most decorated tennis players from the 1970s and 1980s, winning eight Grand Slam titles. In 1557 matches played, he registered 1274 wins and won 109 titles. He held a record of being the No. 1 ranked player for 160 weeks from 1974 to 1977 and finished year-end No. 1 in the ATP rankings from 1974 to 1978.

After retiring in 1996, Connors also coached Andy Roddick from 2006 to 2008. Cut to 2024, on the Advantage Connors podcast, the 72-year-old said that Murray could be a good fit for coaching Djokovic since both competed against each other and got comfortable over time.

"I think it enters a comfort zone, that they've competed against each other, they know each other's game, they have spent time together, not only on the court for playing great matches, but maybe also off the court. So there comes a point in time, in your later years, where, you know, if you feel comfortable, and you feel relaxed with the people around you, allows you to go out and to attempt to play your best tennis and give it your all." (27:50 onwards)

He added:

"Novak does everything to get himself in prime condition and whatever it takes to be the best, but if he's around somebody that he feels comfortable with now, not that those in the past he didn't feel comfortable with, but as you get older, you know, things change... if you can go and be more relaxed going into the tennis, it allows you to play even better."

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Novak Djokovic on the reason behind choosing Andy Murray

Novak Djokovic (Image via Getty)

Novak Djokovic had a mixed 2024 season, winning the Olympic men's singles gold at the Paris Olympics but missing out on winning his 25th Grand Slam. The Serb parted ways with his long-time coach Goran Ivanisevic to welcome Andy Murray as his coach for the start of next season.

In an interview with Sky Sports News on December 2, 2024, the Serb said that he wanted someone with the same experiences in the sport.

"I was going through a process of thinking about next season and trying to figure out what I need at this stage of my career.. I realized the perfect coach for me at this point would be someone that has been through the experiences that I'm going through, possible multiple Grand Slam winner, former No 1."

He added:

"I was thinking about different people and then an Andy Murray discussion appeared on the table with me and my team. It was still a shock decision."

Djokovic became the sixth player to win a career Golden Slam and has the record for holding the World No. 1 position for 428 weeks.