Coaching Carousel: What’s Next for Djokovic After Murray Split?

In a surprising turn of events, Novak Djokovic and Andy Murray have ended their coaching partnership after just six months. The announcement, made on May 13, 2025, has sparked speculation about who will be the next coach to join Djokovic as he chases his 25th Grand Slam title at the upcoming French Open.

A Shocking Split

Djokovic’s decision to enlist Murray, his former rival, in November 2024, had initially surprised the tennis world. Murray, who retired after the Paris 2024 Olympics, brought a fresh perspective to Djokovic’s team. However, the partnership did not yield any titles, leading to a mutual agreement to part ways.

“Thank you, coach Andy, for all the hard work, fun & support over last six months on & off the court. I really enjoyed deepening our friendship together,” Djokovic posted on social media, confirming the split. Murray also expressed his gratitude, saying, “Thanks to Novak for the unbelievable opportunity to work together and thanks to his team for all their hard work over the past six months. I wish Novak all the best for the rest of the season”.

The Djokovic-Murray Experiment: A Quick Recap

The Djokovic-Murray partnership began with promise, with Djokovic defeating Carlos Alcaraz at the Australian Open. However, Djokovic was forced to retire in the semi-finals against Alexander Zverev due to injury. Since then, Djokovic has struggled to regain his form, suffering early losses in several tournaments.

Djokovic’s recent struggles include:

• A loss to Jakub Mensik in the Miami Open final.
• A defeat to Alejandro Tabilo in the second round of Monte Carlo.
• A loss to Matteo Arnaldi in Madrid.

Despite the lack of titles, Djokovic praised Murray’s coaching abilities, highlighting his high tennis IQ, dedication, and professionalism. Murray, on the other hand, admitted to feeling embarrassed by the attention he received, given the established success of Djokovic’s existing team. Daniil Medvedev aptly described the collaboration as “like Messi becoming the coach of Cristiano Ronaldo”.

Under Murray’s guidance, Djokovic had a 12-7 record. He reached the semi-finals of the Australian Open and the final of the Miami Open.

Potential Candidates for Djokovic’s Next Coach

As Djokovic prepares for the French Open, the question of who will be his next coach remains unanswered. Several names have been speculated as potential candidates. Here’s a look at some possibilities:

1. Return to a Familiar Face: Marian Vajda

Marian Vajda is a long-time coach of Djokovic. Their partnership began in 2006 and continued until 2017. It was renewed in 2018. During this time, Djokovic achieved significant success, including multiple Grand Slam titles and his rise to the top of the rankings. Vajda was also part of Djokovic’s team when Boris Becker was the head coach from 2013 to 2016. Given their history and Djokovic’s tendency to return to Vajda, he could be a strong contender.

2. Re-hiring Goran Ivanisevic

Djokovic worked with Goran Ivanisevic for five years, before they split in March 2025. Ivanisevic helped Djokovic win nine Grand Slam titles.

3. Exploring New Options

• Andre Agassi: Agassi coached Djokovic briefly in 2017 and 2018. While the partnership was short-lived, Agassi’s experience and expertise could be valuable to Djokovic.
• Boris Becker: Becker coached Djokovic from 2013 to 2016, during which Djokovic won six Grand Slam titles. A reunion with Becker could provide Djokovic with the stability and guidance he needs.

4. Andy Murray’s Wishlist

Interestingly, Murray himself has previously mentioned players he would be interested in coaching. These include:

• Emma Raducanu
• Carlos Alcaraz
• Stefanos Tsitsipas
• Jack Draper

However, these players are currently working with other coaches.

Djokovic’s Coaching History: A Look Back

Throughout his career, Djokovic has worked with several prominent coaches. Here’s a brief overview:

• Dejan Petrovic: Djokovic’s first professional coach, worked with him from 2004 to 2005.
• Marian Vajda: Long-time coach, with two separate stints.
• Boris Becker: Head coach from 2013 to 2016.
• Andre Agassi: Coached Djokovic briefly in 2017 and 2018.
• Goran Ivanisevic: Joined Djokovic’s team in 2019.
• Andy Murray: Short-term partnership in 2024-2025.

The Road Ahead

The split with Murray comes at a crucial time for Djokovic, with the French Open just around the corner. Djokovic will be looking to secure a record-extending 25th major title. His performance in Paris will depend not only on his physical and mental condition but also on the guidance and support of his coaching team.

Djokovic is competing at the clay-court ATP 250 event in Geneva next week ahead of Roland Garros. He will need to quickly find a new coach to help him prepare for the challenges ahead. The decision of who that will be remains to be seen, but it will undoubtedly have a significant impact on Djokovic’s performance in the upcoming tournaments.