"Novak Djokovic is one of the best players ever, so I don't know if Andy Murray can give him something" - Andrey Rublev on duo's coaching partnership
Andrey Rublev has shared his thoughts on Novak Djokovic's decision to bring Andy Murray on board as his new coach for the start of the 2025 season. The Russian speculated on where Murray could add value to the 24-time Major champion, suggesting that his contribution may not lie in the strategic or technical aspects of the game.
Djokovic will debut his highly anticipated collaboration with Murray at the 25th Australian Open, with the duo aiming to secure the Serb's 25th Grand Slam title. However, Rublev has expressed doubt about how much Murray can influence the World No. 7's game tactically, given the Serb's extensive expertise.
In a recent interview with the Tennis Weekly Podcast, Andrey Rublev suggested that while Andy Murray may not significantly impact Novak Djokovic's on-court strategies, the energy he brought could prove to be invaluable.
Rublev emphasized that the Serb's friendship with Murray translating into a coaching partnership might provide the freshness and motivation he needed to continue competing at the highest level.
"No reaction. In my case, if I'll be honest, I don't care so I had no reaction at all. It's going to be fun. Novak is one of the best players ever played, so I don't know if Andy can give him something. But for sure, the good thing is that they are good friends and sometimes the energy gives even more at this level," Rublev said.
"Players like Novak, when they know everything, they know this sport better than everyone, the energy in that kind of points makes huge difference. I think if they are good friends, it can be something new, like maybe Novak will feel more fresh and more pumped, which is not good for the rest of the players," he added.
The Russian also expressed his eagerness to witness how Murray would react to Djokovic potentially directing an outburst his way during a match, given the Brit's history of venting his frustrations at his player's box.
"But it's going to be fun because I would like to see Andy now because he was this kind of player who like to sometimes give not good comments to his team and I would like to see if Novak will give him not nice comment because Novak can also sometimes be emotional and I would like to know what Andy feels at that moment," he said.
"Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz have really elevated, Novak Djokovic needs that motivation" - Andre Agassi's ex-coach on Serb's partnership with Andy Murray
Andre Agassi and Coco Gauff's former coach Brad Gilbert recently echoed Andrey Rublev's sentiments about Novak Djokovic enlisting Andy Murray as his coach to inject some new energy and motivation into his game.
In a recent interview with the ATP Tour, Gilbert suggested that the meteoric rise of Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz may have prompted the 24-time Grand Slam champion to make the unexpected decision.
"Andy knows a lot about Novak, knows a lot about the players who Novak is going to be chasing. But I think more than anything, where Novak is, you’ve got these two huge, young guys now [Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz] who have just really elevated and I think Novak probably feels like he needs a little bit and I think most importantly, needs that motivation," Gilbert said.
Drawing from his own experience with Agassi, Brad Gilbert also advised Murray that "looking through the lens" of Novak Djokovic would be key to his success in the new role.