Henman admits he hopes for early-season struggles for Novak Djokovic to test his fiery new partnership with coach Andy Murray, adding drama to an already intriguing tennis season.
Tennis fans are bracing for one of the sport’s most fascinating storylines as Novak Djokovic begins his 2025 season with Andy Murray as his new coach. The surprise announcement of this partnership, uniting two of the sport’s most iconic rivals, has sparked widespread curiosity—and a dose of scepticism.
Tim Henman, a former British No. 1, admits he’s keen to see how Djokovic and Murray handle the high-pressure moments of the upcoming season, especially as the Serb pursues an 11th Australian Open title. Henman cheekily confessed he’d like to see Djokovic “struggle” in early matches to expose the dynamics of the duo’s new relationship.
Embed from Getty Images“Who’s going to shout at who?” Henman joked in an interview with Eurosport. “That’s why I want to see Djokovic face some adversity early on—so we can witness the tension, the shouting, the screaming at the box. It’s going to be fascinating to see how Andy handles being on the receiving end of that.”
The appointment of Murray, who retired from playing in the summer after years of battling hip issues, came as a shock to the tennis world. Many had speculated that Murray’s post-retirement career would lean towards broadcasting rather than coaching. However, Henman believes the opportunity to work with one of the sport’s all-time greats was too tempting for the former world No. 1 to pass up.
“At the end of the day, only Andy knows what motivated him to take this role,” Henman said. “I always thought he’d move into coaching eventually, but I didn’t expect it to happen this soon. When the chance comes to guide a player like Djokovic—one of the greatest in history—it’s hard to say no.”
Djokovic’s decision to hire Murray appears strategic. The 24-time Grand Slam champion acknowledged that at this stage of his illustrious career, he needs a coach who understands the demands of competing at the highest level. With Murray’s wealth of experience and sharp tactical mind, the partnership has the potential to bring fresh insights to Djokovic’s game.
For Henman and other observers, however, the big question is how these two dominant personalities will gel. Djokovic is known for his fiery outbursts during matches, often directing frustration toward his coaching box. Murray, equally passionate on the court, has been no stranger to intense emotions during his playing days.
“It’s such an intriguing dynamic,” Henman remarked. “Both of them are huge characters, fiercely competitive, and brutally honest. The real test will come in those pressure-filled moments—whether they can bring out the best in each other or whether the fireworks will cause friction.”
The tennis world will get its first glimpse of this new partnership during the Australian Open in January, where Djokovic will aim to extend his record as the tournament’s most successful player. Preparations are already underway, with Djokovic and Murray reportedly training in Spain to fine-tune their strategy for the new season.
“Practising together during the off-season will be vital,” Henman said. “It’s their chance to establish trust and understand each other’s styles before the real test begins in Melbourne. I can’t wait to see how it unfolds—it’s an extra layer of excitement for what’s already shaping up to be an incredible season.”
As Djokovic embarks on his latest quest for Grand Slam glory, all eyes will be on his dynamic with Murray. Will the former rivals find harmony and deliver a masterclass in teamwork, or will their fiery temperaments lead to dramatic clashes? Either way, their partnership promises to be a captivating subplot in the 2025 tennis season
