'Coolest duo' Novak Djokovic and Andy Murray tipped to excel at Australian Open

React to this story

In an exclusive interview with Eurosport, Mats Wilander tipped Novak Djokovic and Andy Murray - who he describes as the "coolest duo" in tennis - to excel at the Australian Open. Aged 37, Djokovic is aiming for a historic 25th Grand Slam crown and a record-extending 11th title in Melbourne. Wilander believes the Serb looks in "really good shape" and feels he has a good chance of winning the event.

WATCH - Former champion Djokovic practices with new coach Murray at Australian Open

Video credit: TNT Sports

Novak Djokovic looks in "really good" shape ahead of the Australian Open and has a great chance of winning the tournament for a record-extending 11th time, according to Mats Wilander.

The 37-year-old is teaming up with new coach and recently retired Andy Murray in Melbourne, a partnership Wilander describes as the "coolest" duo he has encountered in his 20-plus years of working for Eurosport.

Djokovic is targeting a historic 25th Grand Slam crown and is leaning on the experience of Murray, a three-time Grand Slam champion and double Olympic gold medallist, for support in achieving the feat.

Montreal Men's Singles -

How Jodar matched Nadal, Alcaraz, Djokovic and Murray in storming Montreal run

2 minutes ago

"I watched the match and Novak looked really good physically and I think emotionally he will be much more into it at the Australian Open," said Wilander after the Serbian’s surprise exit at the Brisbane International, where he was defeated by Reilly Opelka in the quarter-final.

"I think Andy Murray would tell him the exact same thing because he has gone through all those emotions playing smaller tournaments and then trying to get fired up for Wimbledon towards the end of his career and that's much easier. I think Novak is in a good place."

For the first time since 2017, Djokovic ended a season without winning a major. However, he redeemed his Wimbledon loss to 21-year-old Carlos Alcaraz by securing Olympic gold in Paris just a few months later.

Watch as Djokovic breaks down with emotion as he embraces family after winning Olympic gold

Video credit: TNT Sports

At 37, Djokovic again faces the challenge of outplaying the rising stars of tennis, including 23-year-old world No. 1 Jannik Sinner.

Instead of viewing Djokovic's age as a disadvantage, however, Wilander believes the Serbian star can leverage it to his benefit.

"I think Novak can get really close to winning in Australia. I think he can get close to winning at Wimbledon as well," continued Wilander.

"At the Australian Open, there are a lot of guys that haven't played that many matches for the last couple of months and mentally, they're not quite ready.

"Physically, they might be ready with the pre-season training and all that. But mentally, a lot of guys need matches and they need to win matches to feel like they can beat the best players.

"Five sets is going to help him, believe it or not, at 37-years-old. It helps when you get older to play longer matches and for Novak that's perfect.

"I think he's got a really, really good shot at winning at least one major this year, and I would think Australia is the one that he most probably has a better chance, other than Wimbledon."

Djokovic top 10 moments at the Australian Open

Video credit: TNT Sports

Wilander excited for 'extraordinary' Murray-Djokovic partnership

Murray has quickly dived back into tennis, just months after calling time on his legendary 19-year career at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games following defeat in the quarter-finals of the men’s doubles alongside Dan Evans.

While his comeback seemed inevitable, few anticipated the Scot would join forces with former rival Djokovic, who defeated him in four Melbourne finals between 2011 and 2016.

Djokovic had been searching for a new mentor after parting ways with long-time coach Goran Ivanisevic.

He turned to Murray, a partnership Wilander believes will be "extraordinary".

"With Novak Djokovic pushing nearly 40 years old, I wouldn't think this relationship is going to last that long, but it is pretty extraordinary that we have thought over all these years how fierce these competitors are at the top and then in the end they're going to help each other out," said Wilander.

"I think Andy Murray has realised that he has been helped out so much by Roger [Federer], Rafa [Nadal] and Novak.

"Yes, he would have won more majors without those three, but at the same time, to be a part of that golden generation must be an incredible feeling for Andy Murray."

Andy Murray & Novak Djokovic

Image credit: Getty Images

Murray's animated presence on the tennis court in the past has raised questions about what we can expect from him in the coaching box and where his future in tennis might lead.

"I think he's going to be as anonymous as he possibly can be," said Wilander, speculating on Murray's coaching style.

"He deservedly needs to be on screen all the time, but I have a feeling that Andy doesn't want that.

"I’m not sure whether he will go on to coach other pros on tour, or will he help the British players back home in London?

"But I'm sure Andy Murray will be involved in the coaching part of tennis for a long time. He loves the game too much, he's too clever. He knows how to win big matches. He knows how to train hard. He knows how to come back from injury.

"I mean, he's got so much valuable information for any player at any stage of their career."

"Andy Murray will be successful at pretty much anything that he wants to put his mind to when it comes to tennis," continued Wilander.

"He gets the game, he loves the game. He loves the technical part of the game; I know that from hearing people talk about him tinkering with racquets and tinkering with technique and biomechanics and all that.

"And in the end, when you watch Andy Murray, you realise it's all mental.

"He loves every part of sports in general, but especially tennis, so he'll be around."

Last year, we saw Nick Kyrgios trade his tennis racquet for an earpiece and microphone, stepping into the role of commentator with Eurosport, and Wilander would love Murray to try his hand at analysing the game on television.

"I hope that he turns into a commentator so we can actually hear what he thinks about the game because of his expertise and having played with the big three for so many years," added Wilander.

"The one thing we mustn't forget is that he's also practised and played the guys that are the best today, Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz, Alexander Zverev and Daniil Medvedev and Stefanos Tsitsipas.

"He's played and practised and hung out with these guys in locker rooms and he knows them in and out. And I think that's where Novak most probably will get the most valuable information from Andy."

- - -

Watch and stream the 2025 Australian Open live on Eurosport and discovery+

US Open Mixed Doubles -

'We're chasing the title' - Sabalenka reveals 'goal' with Djokovic

03/08/2026 at 12:34

ATP Cincinnati

'Look forward to coming back' - Djokovic confirms Cincinnati Masters 1000 participation

30/07/2026 at 14:49