Novak Djokovic is heading into the Monte Carlo Masters with a familiar face in his corner, but it’s not who you might expect. While Andy Murray has recently joined Djokovic’s coaching team, he won’t be present at this week’s tournament. Instead, Djokovic will be relying on his younger brother, Marko, for coaching support. As for Murray’s whereabouts? Djokovic admitted he’s “clueless,” joking that Murray is likely focused on family and his golf swing.
Murray’s Absence: Part of the Plan
Despite Murray’s absence sparking some curiosity, Djokovic clarified that it was always the plan for Murray to skip the Monte Carlo Masters. Their coaching agreement, formed during the off-season, didn’t include this particular tournament. Djokovic stated that he considered whether he needed anyone beyond his fitness coach and physio and decided that having his brother Marko join him would be beneficial.
Djokovic emphasized the emotional support Marko provides. “That helps me on a different level, emotionally as well. I mean, to have my brother spend some time with him as well on the road, I don’t get to see him much, so it’s great for me.”
Marko Djokovic: A Familiar Face
Marko Djokovic is not new to the world of professional tennis. The younger Djokovic brother himself reached a career-high ranking of No. 574 in 2019 and has participated in several tour-level events. While he may not have the same accolades as his older brother, his familiarity with Novak’s game and his presence as a supportive family member will be valuable assets during the Monte Carlo Masters.
Murray’s Return in Madrid
Fans of the Djokovic-Murray coaching partnership can rest assured that this is not the end of their collaboration. Djokovic confirmed that he will reunite with Murray at the Madrid Open, scheduled to begin on April 23rd. This will be their first tournament together since the Miami Open.
Djokovic’s Miami Motivation
Djokovic is entering the clay season with renewed motivation after reaching the final of the Miami Open. Despite losing to Jakub Mensik in the final, Djokovic said he found “joy” in his Miami performance, which “gives [him] more inspiration to keep going.” He is hoping to carry that momentum into the clay season as he pursues his 100th ATP trophy.
“It just feels great on the court when you’re striking the ball well and winning matches,” Djokovic said. “Obviously when you start losing early you have more questions and inner voices, which are bringing doubts about whether you should keep going.”
Monte Carlo Expectations
Djokovic is keeping his expectations in check for the Monte Carlo Masters, given that he has not had much time to adjust to the clay surface. “It’s a different surface and I’ve not had much time to get used to this tournament so my expectations aren’t that high.”
A Look Back at Djokovic and Murray’s Partnership
The partnership between Djokovic and Murray began during the off-season, shortly after Murray officially retired from professional tennis. Since then, Murray has been a visible presence in Djokovic’s box at tournaments like Indian Wells and Miami.
Djokovic has spoken positively about Murray’s contributions to his game. The two former rivals bring a unique dynamic to the coaching relationship, with Murray’s experience and tactical insights proving valuable to Djokovic.
Andy Murray’s Illustrious Career
Sir Andrew Barron Murray, born on May 15, 1987, is a British former professional tennis player and coach. He was ranked as the world No. 1 in men’s singles by the Association of Tennis Professionals (ATP) for 41 weeks, including as the year-end No. 1 in 2016. Murray won 46 ATP Tour-level singles titles, including three majors:
- 2012 US Open
- 2013 Wimbledon Championships
- 2016 Wimbledon Championships
He also won two gold medals at the Summer Olympics, the 2016 ATP World Tour Finals, 14 Masters events, and contested a total of eleven major finals. Murray retired from the sport after the 2024 Paris Olympics.
Djokovic’s Quest for 100 Titles
Novak Djokovic is currently on a quest to join Jimmy Connors (109) and Roger Federer (103) as the only three men in the professional era to claim 100 or more ATP trophies. While he hasn’t won a title on the men’s tour since his ATP Finals triumph in 2023, he did secure an Olympic gold medal during the Paris Games at Roland Garros last year. His recent performance in Miami has fueled his motivation to continue pursuing this milestone.
The Monte Carlo Masters: A Challenging Tournament
The Monte Carlo Masters is a prestigious clay-court tournament that attracts the world’s top players. The slow surface and challenging conditions make it a demanding event, requiring both physical and mental fortitude. Djokovic has won the Monte Carlo Masters twice in his career and will be looking to add a third title to his resume.
Other Players to Watch
Besides Djokovic, the Monte Carlo Masters will feature a strong field of contenders, including Carlos Alcaraz. Alcaraz and Djokovic even practiced together, sharing spirited conversation.
Conclusion
As Novak Djokovic embarks on his clay-court season, he’ll do so with his brother Marko by his side in Monte Carlo. While the absence of Andy Murray may raise some eyebrows, it’s clear that this was a planned arrangement. Djokovic is motivated by his recent success in Miami and eager to continue his quest for titles, with Murray expected to rejoin his team in Madrid. The Monte Carlo Masters promises to be an exciting tournament, and it will be interesting to see how Djokovic performs with Marko as his coach.
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