Novak Djokovic surprised the tennis world when he announced that his former rival, Andy Murray, would be joining his team for the upcoming Australian Open. The two, separated by just one week in age, have faced each other 36 times on the tour, including seven Grand Slam finals, with Djokovic leading their head-to-head 25-11.
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Murray, who retired after being knocked out in the doubles quarterfinals at the Paris Olympics while partnering with Dan Evans, has now made a surprising return to tennis—not as a player, but as a coach. After considering several options, Murray ultimately decided to join Djokovic’s team.
As tennis fans reacted to the partnership between Murray and Djokovic, many pondered what the three-time Grand Slam champion could bring to Djokovic’s camp following a challenging season. The scenario of a former rival becoming a coach is a rare one in the tennis world. With that in mind, let’s take a look at three other instances where tennis players transitioned from fierce competitors to coaching roles.
Roger Federer and Ivan Ljubičić: An Unexpected Partnership
One of the most notable coaching rivalries turned partnerships is that of Roger Federer and Ivan Ljubičić. Before Ljubičić joined Federer’s team, Federer had a 13-3 head-to-head advantage over the Croatian player. However, in December 2015, Federer decided to hire Ljubičić as a coach to help him break a three-and-a-half-year Grand Slam drought and secure his 18th Grand Slam title. This partnership proved pivotal in Federer’s resurgence, as he won key titles such as the 2017 Australian Open and Wimbledon 2017.
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Despite injuries disrupting their first season together, Federer’s return to form in 2017 was remarkable. In his first tournament back, Federer won his fifth Australian Open title, defeating Rafael Nadal in the final, before winning a record eighth Wimbledon title, going through the tournament without dropping a set.
Ljubičić’s influence was credited with making Federer more aggressive, particularly with his backhand, which played a significant role in Federer’s victories over Nadal during their time together. Ljubičić stayed on as Federer’s coach until his retirement at the 2022 Laver Cup.
Rafael Nadal and Carlos Moya: From Rivals to Mentors
Rafael Nadal also had a significant coaching relationship with a former opponent, Carlos Moya. Nadal and Moya faced off eight times on the ATP tour, with Nadal winning six of those matches. However, in 2016, after struggling with injuries and form, Nadal asked Moya to join his coaching team alongside his uncle, Toni Nadal. This collaboration was a turning point, as Moya helped Nadal regain confidence and bring his career back to its peak, resulting in eight more Grand Slam titles.
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Moya, who had previously been a key figure in helping Milos Raonic reach his first Wimbledon final in 2016, was instrumental in Nadal’s return to greatness in 2017. That year, Nadal not only won his 10th French Open but also captured his fourth US Open title. Moya remained a part of Nadal’s team for the rest of his career, helping Nadal finish with a remarkable 22 Grand Slam titles. Moya’s guidance was crucial as Nadal ended 2017 as the world number one, a position he held for several years.
Alexander Zverev and David Ferrer: A Short-Term Coaching Relationship
While hiring a former rival has led to significant success for these two legends, sometimes these coaching relationships are short-lived, as seen with Alexander Zverev and David Ferrer. Zverev ended Ferrer’s career at the 2019 Madrid Masters, marking the final match in their eight encounters. However, after a challenging 2019 season, Zverev brought Ferrer into his coaching team in 2020, alongside his father, as the tennis world returned from the COVID-19 lockdown.
With Ferrer on board, Zverev reached his first Grand Slam final at the 2020 US Open but lost to Dominic Thiem in a dramatic five-set match. Despite strong performances, Zverev’s results were inconsistent, with losses to up-and-coming players like Jannik Sinner and a couple of title wins in Cologne. He also reached the Paris Masters final, where he was defeated by Daniil Medvedev.
Due to the travel limitations caused by the pandemic, Ferrer decided not to renew his coaching contract with Zverev in January 2021, marking the end of a short but impactful coaching stint.
Conclusion
The transition from rivals to coaches is a rare phenomenon in tennis, but it has led to some fascinating and successful collaborations. From Federer and Ljubičić to Nadal and Moya, and even Zverev and Ferrer, these relationships have shaped the careers of both the players and their coaches.
Now, with Andy Murray joining Novak Djokovic’s team, the tennis world is set to witness another chapter in the story of former rivals working together. Will Murray’s insights and experience help Djokovic reclaim his dominance on the ATP tour? Only time will tell, but this partnership certainly adds an intriguing twist to the 2024 season.
