- Murray joined Djokovic’s coaching team in November but they split in May
- Djokovic had reached the Australian Open semi-finals during the partnership
- The 24-time Grand Slam champion then struggled for results before the split
Andy Murray has hinted at a frosty split with Novak Djokovic as the tennis legend was asked about his brief spell coaching the 24-time Grand Slam champion.
Murray, who retired after the Olympic Games in Paris last year, was a shock appointment by Djokovic in November.
He worked with Djokovic through the Australian Open, where the Serbian star reached the semi-finals before being forced to retire injured against Alexander Zverev.
The 38-year-old, however, struggled for wins on the ATP tour under Murray’s coaching and a split was announced in May.
Murray was asked about the experience as he began a four date theatre tour, which started at the SEC Armadillo in Glasgow on Wednesday.
‘We had a chat on the phone and he asked me if I would consider coaching him, which I wasn’t expecting,’ Murray said, as per The Times.
‘I think it was a pretty unique opportunity.
‘I was really enjoying being at home but I thought I should give it a go and see whether I enjoyed it.’
Murray reportedly paused before adding: ‘I’m not sure if I did.’
The comment may have been another wry joke from Murray, who had broken the ice with his former on-court rival when they reunited for Rafael Nadal’s farewell at the French Open.
Djokovic had revealed how Murray had congratulated him after winning the Geneva Open just days after their split.
‘He did congratulate me, and he said, Now that you have a proper coach, you’re winning tournaments,’ Djokovic said.
‘Of course he was joking, but, I think I have said enough but I will say it again: Andy is just an amazing person.
‘For him to join my team and for us to give a shot to this player/coach relationship was really an incredible thing for tennis and for both of us. I was very privileged and honoured.
‘I was enjoying myself very much regardless of the fact that we haven’t had maybe the success we both wanted or people expected us to have.’
Despite his short time in Djokovic’s camp, Murray revealed earlier this month he expects to coach again in the future.
‘I would do it again at some stage, I don’t think that will happen immediately,’ Murray told the BBC.
‘You also learn a lot about how to work with a team. As an individual athlete, you have a team of people around you, but you’re the focal point whereas when you’re coaching an individual, you’re working with a physio, physical trainers, agents, and you need to know how to get your message across to the player and find out what makes them tick.
‘That was the thing I learned and something I need to work on if I want to do it again in the future.
‘It was a brilliant opportunity for me. We got to spend some really nice moments away from the court. Results weren’t as we wanted but we gave it a go.
‘We’ll see about coaching in the future but I don’t think that will happen for a while.’
