Novak Djokovic described his decision to team up with recently retired rival Andy Murray as a surprise to everyone but said he could not be more excited by the prospect of the two former world number ones working together.

Djokovic admitted that his phone call with Murray caught the Scot "a little off guard" but stressed that the pair "connected really fast". The 37-year-old is said to have only taken a few days to agree to the role, less than four months after retiring at the Paris Olympics.

Nadal bowed out after the Davis Cup earlier this month, while Murray bid farewell following the summer’s Olympics doubles tournament. Djokovic is the only remaining member of tennis’ so-called Big Three, which included himself, Nadal and Roger Federer, who retired in 2022.

Novak Djokovic believes that Andy Murray ’s experiences and similar mindset made him the perfect profile for his new coach. Djokovic stunned the tennis world last weekend when he appointed Murray as his new full-time coach just four months after the Scotsman hung up his racquets.

Novak Djokovic revealed that Andy Murray was caught off guard when offered the coaching role, turning their storied rivalry into a surprising new partnership ahead of the 2025 Australian Open.

Novak Djokovic has taken on Andy Murray as his coach for the Australian Open. It makes sense to put half of the original Big Four in men's tennis together again.

Murray will coach his long-time rival Novak Djokovic at the Australian Open, but a shock new partnership has deep roots

Novak Djokovic described his decision to team up with recently retired rival Andy Murray as a surprise to everyone but said he could not be more excited by the prospect of the two former world number ones working together.

Novak Djokovic says his decision to appoint former rival Andy Murray as his coach was "a surprise to everyone" but is "exciting for tennis".

Murray will coach his long-time rival at the Australian Open in January after the pair announced a surprise alliance