"Novak Djokovic & Andy Murray both have very high tennis IQs" - Holger Rune gives his verdict on veteran duo's blockbuster partnership for 2025

Novak Djokovic and Andy Murray will be partners in crime in 2025, as the British player was hired by the Serbian player to be his coach. It's a partnership that most people never thought they would see because it's strange in many ways. In many other ways, it makes a lot of sense, and as has been pointed out, it highlights the high IQ both players possess, which could make them a formidable tactical team.

"It's an interesting setup, that's for sure. I don't think many of us saw it coming. I think it could potentially be good for both. Novak didn't have a coach before, so it was natural for him to look for one, but I didn't expect it to be someone like Andy," Rune remarked on the Djokovic-Murray partnership.

It was certainly a huge surprise to many in the tennis world because most people reacted with astonishment. After the dust settled, more and more people liked the pairing because there are lots of things to be excited about. Murray was a phenomenal player at his peak and he's not far removed from playing tennis, so he's familiar with the landscape.

Djokovic, as great as he is, has shown himself to be pretty humble and rather coachable, so it could work out. Rune highlighted the high IQ both players possess.

"Andy is obviously a super smart player, and also a guy who has beaten him at times. I was thinking, 'Why exactly did they pair them together?' And I think it's because they can talk a lot about strategy and how to beat the best players. They both have a very high tennis IQ. I think it's going to be very interesting."

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Djokovic explains reasons for hiring Murray as coach

Having to explain why he hired Andy Murray might seem strange, but lots of people were curious about the Serb's reasoning behind the move. For him, it was rather simple: it came down to Murray knowing him and his game very well, which allows him to pinpoint where improvements need to happen.

"He knows my game and everything that I have been through very well. He knows the things that are wrong with my game, all of my mistakes," Djokovic said on his reasons for hiring Murray as coach during a press conference in Buenos Aires last week while appearing in Juan Martin del Petro's farewell match.

After all, the Brit spent most of his career planning how to beat Djokovic, so if there is a player who knows his weaknesses, it's Murray. He can also help him base his game around that so that he becomes even tougher to beat then he already is.