Novak Djokovic's coach Andy Murray gives his take on what Serb has to do to seal 'Best athlete of all time' tag

There are not many who can claim the tag of the “best athlete of time”, Novak Djokovic's coach Andy Murray felt that the Serb could make that title his own if he defeated the likes of Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz to win more Grand Slam titles in his late 30s.

Murray’s comments come a day before Djokovic’s opening match at the Australian Open 2025, where he faces Grand Slam debutant Nishesh Basavareddy. Djokovic endured a difficult 2024 as he did not win a single Grand Slam for the first time since 2017.

However, Murray feels the Serb has done enough to establish himself as the best tennis player of his generation. In an interview with the Eastern Daily Press this week, the former British World No.1 said:

“Novak has in the last few years cemented himself as the best tennis player of all time, certainly of his generation, with the records that he’s achieved. These next couple of years, I think he maybe already has a legitimate claim to be the best athlete of all time.”

Andy Murray, who won three Grand Slam titles and made it to the Australian Open final five times, underlined what Djokovic needed to do to claim the undisputed “best athlete of all time” tag:

“But I think, if he can go out as a 38, 39-year-old and win more slams and beat Alcaraz and Sinner in big matches, he’s got a claim to be the best athlete of all time, and I think that’s exciting for me and his team to be part of that.”

Interestingly, Novak Djokovic lost to eventual champion Sinner in the quarterfinal last year and could run into Alcaraz in the quarterfinal. Djokovic got the better of the young Spaniard in their previous encounter when he won the Paris Olympics final in straight sets.

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Novak Djokovic can win more Grand Slams in 2025 according to Patrick Mouratoglou

Patrick Mouratoglou, Serena Williams’ former coach, feels Novak Djokovic can win more Grand Slam titles this year if “his motivation is back.” In a video posted on his Instagram handle on Saturday, January 11, the French coach discussed the Serb's last season and said:

“If you look at last year, you could feel that he didn't feel like playing. The fact that he wants to play much more shows how motivated he is and I think it's all about that. If his motivation is that it's top, he can compete with the two other guys. If the motivation is back and we have to count on him, I can't believe he's not going to win at least one (Grand Slam) this year.”

Murray, once Novak Djokovic’s fierce rival, is now coaching the Serbian and will play a crucial role in the latter’s bid for a record-extending 11th Australian Open title.

This Major also serves as an opportunity for the 37-year-old to extend his Major record and win the record-breaking 25th Grand Slam. Djokovic will begin his hunt for the 11th Australian Open on Monday, January 13, facing Nishesh Basavareddy.