WATCH: Novak Djokovic introduces Andy Murray as his coach in 'special' fashion ahead of Australian Open 2025

Novak Djokovic took the opportunity to introduce Andy Murray as the "new special member" of his team at Wednesday's A Night With Novak Djokovic charity event at the Rod Laver Arena, Melbourne. Long-time rival turned friend Murray was on hand to watch Djokovic take on Alexander Zverev in a one-set Fast4-style match.

Djokovic narrowly lost the one-set match to Zverev on a tie-break, but was quick to praise his opponent and formally welcome Andy Murray to his team and the Melbourne crowd:

"I want to thank him (Zverev) for coming out tonight. It's very nice of him to support the great cause tonight. Walking out on the court that means so much to me...the most successful court that I've ever played on. Three or four days before the tournament started it's already packed, the Rod Laver Arena...you couldn't ask for more. I'm pumped for tonight and the rest of the tournament and hopefully, with a new special member in my team, we can make something special happen this year."

10-time Australian Open champion Djokovic used the event to sharpen his tools before the Slam Down Under. The Serb also engaged in some light-hearted banter in a full stadium and showed off some of his less-known sporting skills as he hit balls with wheelchair champion Dylan Alcott, played cricket with Aaron Finch and Meg Lanning, and netball with Sharelle McMahon.

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Novak Djokovic's appointment of Andy Murray took the tennis world by surprise

2025 Australian Open Previews - Source: Getty

At 37, Novak Djokovic is in his twilight years but remains remarkably competitive. The Serb is chasing an astonishing 25th major title in 2025, having finally fulfilled his dream of Olympic gold in Paris last year. Djokovic's team-up with Murray took the tennis world by surprise, but the Serbian revealed that the process to reach the decision was a deliberate one.

"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. I was thinking about different people and then an Andy Murray discussion appeared on the table with me and my team," Djokovic told Sky Sports in an exclusive in December last year.

Novak Djokovic is Melbourne's most prolific winner, winning the Major in 2008, 2011-2013, 2015-2016, 2019-2021, and 2023. He missed the 2022 tournament after a well-documented COVID issue saw him denied a visa to enter the country, but the 37-year-old stormed back in 2024 to reach the semifinal, where he was beaten in four sets.

He reached two major finals in 2024, marking the first year he's failed to clinch a Grand Slam since 2017.