Andy Murray theory emerges following Novak Djokovic split in relationship claim
Andy Murray and Novak Djokovic announced their coaching partnership ahead of the Australian Open, but the duo split in May after just six months - and one former tennis star has now put forward his theory
Former British tennis star and current pundit Andrew Castle doesn't believe Andy Murray would've been coaching Novak Djokovic in the literal sense of the word. The tennis world was left gobsmacked when it was revealed that the one-time competitors would join forces ahead of the Australian Open in January.
However, their intriguing partnership was short-lived, ending just six months later in May before the French Open. A flurry of speculation about why they parted ways soon followed.
Despite initial plans to maintain their professional relationship until Wimbledon, a string of disappointing results for Djokovic seems to have prompted a change of heart. Aside from clinching the Geneva Open, and making it to the semi-finals at Roland Garros since ditching the Scot, it's been a tough year overall for the 37-year-old.
Castle, 61, has a hunch that Murray was actually brought on board to provide tips to the 24-time Grand Slam champion, suggesting his role was "not the same" as a traditional coach.
"I don't see it as a coaching relationship," Castle said to Betway. "I don't see those types of relationships; I see it as support and somebody who has been in the trenches as well and understands [what is needed].
"Novak may need an observation now and again and you might say something along the lines of, 'You're 37 now and need to get to the ball earlier on a rally because you don't cover the courts as quickly as you did.;
"That's a truth so there could be observations like that. The tactical nous that Andy had was unbelievable so there can be a little bit of that and no doubt that was a plus.
"That was what I would see as those relationships but it's certainly not the same type of coaching as going down the club and getting the club pro to take me through [some techniques]."
Upon ending his partnership with Murray, Djokovic said: "We felt like we couldn't get more out of that partnership on the court, and that's all there is to it.
"My respect towards Andy remains the same, even more actually, I got to know him as a person. I think he has a brilliant tennis IQ, he has a very rare mind of a champion that obviously has achieved what he has achieved, and he sees the game incredibly well."
Murray, who retired last summer after the 2024 Paris Olympics, has said that the experience hasn't deterred him from considering coaching again in the future.
"I would do it again at some stage," Murray told the BBC. "I don't think that will happen immediately. I wasn't planning on going into coaching as soon as I finished playing but it was a pretty unique opportunity. It was a chance to learn from one of the best athletes of all time.
"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."
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