Andy Murray has announced he will start the 2025 season as the new coach of his former rival Novak Djokovic in a sensational first coaching role since his retirement from the sport.

The 37-year-olds, who were born just a week apart, have competed as rivals since childhood and have faced each other 36 times on the ATP Tour.

After 19 years as a professional, Murray retired from playing in the Olympics this year. Djokovic, meanwhile, won gold for the first time at the Olympics, the only major trophy he had not won before. Murray will coach Djokovic at least until the end of the Australian Open. The Serbian won 25 times of the Scot’s 11, including in four Australian Open finals and one semi-final, but Murray triumphed at the 2012 US Open and Wimbledon in 2013 for his first two grand slam titles.

Novak Djokovic said: “I am happy that one of my biggest rivals is on the same side of the net as my coach. I look forward to starting the season and competing in Australia alongside Andy, with whom I have shared many exceptional moments on Australian soil.”

Andy Murray said: “I will be part of Novak’s team in the off-season and help him prepare for the Australian Open. I’m really excited and looking forward to being on the same side of the net as Novak for a change and helping him achieve his goals.”

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