Why Novak Djokovic made massive career change involving former rival Andy Murray

It wasn't meant to be.

The tennis world was shocked last November when Novak Djokovic announced that Andy Murray, his former rival, would be joining the Serbian's coaching staff. 

Murray, just months removed from retirement, took on the role on a temporary basis. He and Djokovic agreed it would at least last through the first half of 2025: The American hard-court events in Indian Wells and Miami along with the European clay swing.

But just two weeks out from the French Open, representatives from Murray's camp announced the two former rivals would "no longer be working together." His camp also confirmed the split was mutual.

Djokovic publicly confirmed the change on social media, thanking the former number one player “for all the hard work, fun & support over last six months on & off the court.”

So how did one of the most electric coach-player pairings in tennis history fall flat?

Why did Djokovic and Murray split?

There's reasons on both sides of the aisle that the pair would choose to go their separate ways.

According to The Athletic, anonymous sources within British tennis said they weren't surprised that the partnership was ending. In fact, they were shocked Murray had remained on staff for as long as he did.

For starters, Djokovic's level has been declining steadily for the duration of the partnership. The dip in performance has more to do with the age of the 24-time Grand Slam champion and less to do with the newest member of his coaching staff.

However, Murray was brought on mainly to work on Djokovic's strategy against the top players. Jannik Sinner, Carlos Alcaraz, and other young stars prove the most formidable obstacles to Novak's 25th title, but if he can't even advance to tournament finals what's the point of keeping Murray?

Djokovic is on a three-match losing streak dropping matches at the Miami Open final and then in the first round at Monte Carlo and Madrid.

Before that, the Serbian was eliminated in the first round of Indian Wells by then world No. 85 Botic va de Zandschulp. His most successful tournament with Murray on staff was the Australian Open, where Djokovic defeated Alcaraz in the quarterfinals before retiring in the semis due to injury. 

Now, as Djokovic is at one of the lowest points of his career and looking for answers, one of them apparently is to cut ties with Murray.

On the other side of things, the British legend had barely grazed the surface of retirement when he got the call from his old foe to join the coaching box. 

Murray, who retired in August of last year and joined Djokovic in November, had wanted to focus on family in his post-tennis years. 

Now, he gets that opportunity after the mutual split. 

No more Djokovic and Murray as a team. pic.twitter.com/6zwpMjjfjX

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In the end it was probably the best decision for both players. Murray isn't a coach, he's a legend of the sport who can lend strategic advice in certain spots, while Djokovic is in need of different answers. 

The Serbian, who is ranked No. 6, is set to compete at the Geneva Open before entering the French Open. Djokovic is still in search of his first clay-court victory of the season. 

We'll see if this coaching change makes a difference for the 37-year-old.