Jimmy Connors talks Novak Djokovic’s new chapter with Andy Murray “Maybe it’s a good thing, but also might only last a week”:

Jimmy Connors highlighted the positive aspects Andy Murray can bring to Novak Djokovic at this stage of his career. The 24-time Grand Slam champion surprised everyone a week ago by announcing Murray as his new coach for the 2025 season.

The former British No. 1 had just retired a few months ago, and nothing indicated he would soon become a coach. However, he now takes on a new challenge on the Tour, this time in the box of one of his greatest rivals.

Connors sees comfort and opportunity in Murray’s role 

The rivalry between Murray and Djokovic is the 4th most frequently contested in the Tour and the opponent Murray has faced the most in his career. Djokovic has dominated the rivalry with a 25-11 record in their 36 encounters (11-8 in finals and 8-2 in Grand Slam tournaments). In 7 major finals, Djokovic led 5-2.

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Nole is looking to breathe new life into his team in 2025 and signaled that he still has big ambitions on the Tour. The former world No. 1, Jimmy Connors, shared his opinion on the news. “I think it enters a comfort zone,” he said. “They have competed against each other, they know each other’s game, they have spent time together – not only on the court, playing great matches – but also off the court.”

“There comes a point in time in your later years where if you feel comfortable and relaxed with the people around you, that allows you to go out and attempt to play your best tennis and give it your all,” he added. “The older you get, it’s tougher to push yourself.”

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The 8-time Grand Slam champion believes Djokovic still has plenty to offer upon returning to competition, and that at this stage of his career, he can use the calmness to his advantage. “You look at Djoker [Djokovic] and he does everything to get himself in prime condition,” Connors mentioned. “If he’s around someone who he feels comfortable with now – not that those in the past he didn’t feel comfortable with – but as you get older, things change.”

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“Your mind changes, your outlook changes, your feelings change and all that. If you can go and be more relaxed going into tennis, it allows you to play even better,” he added. “Maybe that is a good thing, (but) it also might only last a week, you don’t know.”

According to the American, Djokovic should not be ruled out from the battle for major titles this season. “You have to give it a shot though, I like what he is doing. He is doing whatever he can to go another year at the right level.”

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