"Andy Murray & I were never too close, but we always had tremendous respect for each other" - Novak Djokovic
Novak Djokovic named Andy Murray as one of the three people including Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal who pushed him to become better. The Serb goes a long way back with the Brit and although he mentioned they were never very close, he has immense respect for Murray.
Murray received a special and emotional farewell ceremony on the Centre Court at Wimbledon on July 4 after facing defeat in his men's doubles first-round clash with his brother Jamie as his partner. Djokovic was present on the court during the ceremony along with the likes of Iga Swiatek and Martina Navratilova.
However, before Murray's match, Djokovic was asked during a press conference about the Brit. The Serb mentioned that the pair had known each other since the age of 12.
The 24-time Grand Slam winner opened up about how he and Murray go long back but they were never close and despite that, they hold immense respect for each other.
"The first time I met Andy I was 12. We go a very long way back. We were never too close on the tour because it’s difficult as rivals. But we always had tremendous respect for each other," Djokovic said.
"He’s definitely one of the three guys other than Roger and Rafa who has impacted my career and my growth as a tennis player," he added.
Novak Djokovic and Andy Murray have gone head-to-head in all four Grand Slam finals
Novak Djokovic and Andy Murray have faced each other in seven Grand Slam finals. The pair have also met in the finals of all four Grand Slams.
The Serb, during the same press conference, mentioned the difference between their age and how similar their career trajectory has been. He even pinpointed that they had met in all four Major finals.
"I think we only have a 1 week difference in age. So our trajectory on the professional tour is pretty similar. Not much was separating our careers. We played some incredible matches all over the world," Djokovic said.
"Finals of different grand slams… all grand slams actually. Which I think he could be the only player I’ve faced in all 4 finals of the Slams. Maybe Rafa as well, I’m not sure," he added.
The Serb has met Rafael Nadal and Andy Murray in all four Grand Slam finals.
Djokovic leads the overall head-to-head rivalry against Murray 25-11 and also leads the Grand Slam finals head-to-head 5-2.
The Serb won the first final they faced off in, which was the 2011 Australian Open. He also bagged their last final, the 2016 French Open. Murray managed to win the 2013 Wimbledon final and the 2012 US Open final.