Before agreeing to coach Novak Djokovic, Andy Murray turned down several elite ATP and WTA players, according to Andy Roddick, who has shared what he thinks their collaboration will bring.

During the off-season and leading up to the Australian Open, Murray made the unexpected announcement last week that he would be working with his old rival. The British player, who retired at the Olympics in Paris earlier this year, will be coaching for the first time. He hopes to lead Djokovic to a record 25th Grand Slam victory in Melbourne.

It should come as no surprise that the news of their collaboration attracted a lot of attention, and Roddick has given his reasons for thinking Murray accepted this position.

The American said on his Served with Andy Roddick Podcast: “Why would you not do this? If you can convince Murray to say yes on a short timeline. And by the way, I’ve also heard it’s not my business to tell top players, male or female. Murray has said no to many over these last four months. The other people who were asking were on the top of the pile too, right? They were high, high, high ranks, men and women, from what I’ve heard.”

Additionally, Roddick hinted that Murray might be able to assist Djokovic in changing the momentum in this matchup.

Roddick added: “The other undersold part of this story that I haven’t heard this reaction yet is: ‘Okay, so Novak’s Tyson forever, right? As he walks in, he can blow you off the court, can play defence, can do all of these things, right? Is he still the best ball striker on earth? We don’t know. I don’t know. Sinner’s probably taking that. If Sinner’s younger, he can create probably more speed at this point. Doesn’t mean that he’s overall a better player, but just what did Murray spend the last five years of his career doing? Problem-solving for what you have lost. That struggle that Murray went through is of value to Novak at this age. I think it’s gonna be great for both of them because they’re both like, and I say this in the nicest way possible, students of the game, big tennis nerds, right? I think Murray might have the highest tennis IQ that I’ve seen and been around.”

Novak Djokovic in 2024

Ranked world no.7, Novak played his last encounter on the 13^th of October when he surrendered to world no.1 Jannik Sinner 7-6(4) 6-3 in the final in Shanghai (draw).

At the moment, during this season Djokovic owns an overall 37-9 record. Novak conquered 1 title in Paris. Djokovic was the finalist in Wimbledon and Shanghai.