Australian Open 2025: Novak Djokovic ‘grateful’ for coach Andy Murray after beating Carlos Alcaraz in Melbourne

First got here a visceral roar. Then a young hug.

Novak Djokovic’s feelings poured out after securing an Australian Open quarter-final victory over Carlos Alcaraz that defied opinion, logic and expectation.

Exuding pleasure and aid, Djokovic turned straight to his coach Andy Murray and buried his head within the Briton’s chest.

The celebration between the rivals-turned-colleagues got here following the largest success of Murray’s shock first teaching job.

“It was form of a gesture of appreciation and respect for him for the truth that he is on the market and he does not should be,” mentioned 37-year-old Djokovic, who was born every week after Murray in Could 1987.

“He accepted to work with me. He is giving all his assist to me, to the entire staff, and attempting to make it work.”

When 24-time main champion Djokovic introduced in November he was using the lately retired Murray as his new coach, it felt like a prank.

However there’s nothing extra critical for each males than successful tennis matches.

Murray has frequently lower a tense determine throughout Djokovic’s run at Melbourne Park, showing deep in thought of how he might help the seventh seed land a document twenty fifth Grand Slam title.

His aid on the Serb edging previous Alcaraz, 21, confirmed with a heavy exhale of breath.

Then got here the second when Djokovic, who had battled by way of an higher left leg damage to beat Spanish third seed Alcaraz, trudged over to hug his fist-pumping coach.

“This was an enormous win for all of us – together with Andy and myself for the connection,” added Djokovic.

“That is why I went to him as a result of I felt very grateful that he is there.”