Novak Djokovic lauded for 'not chasing some money' as first event with Andy Murray is confirmed
Today at 01:59 AM
The tennis world will get a first taste of the Novak Djokovic-Andy Murray collaboration at the 2025 Brisbane International and former world No 1 Pat Rafter has praised the Serbian’s decision not to chase cash.
After working without a permanent coach for most of the 2024 season following the departure of Goran Ivanisevic in March, Djokovic turned to Murray a few weeks ago as it was confirmed the two will work together during the off-season and the Australian swing.
For Murray, it will be his first stint as a coach after he retired from tennis after the 2024 Paris Olympics in August.
With Djokovic stating earlier this year that he planned to once again play a limited calendar next year, it was initially thought his partnership with Murray would first be tested at the Australian Open.
But the tennis great has made a U-turn about his schedule and has confirmed he will play more tournaments than in 2025 with new coach Murray perhaps having an impact on that decision.
“Next year I will play more tournaments and the Slams in particular will be my priority: I will give my best to win, of course if my body allows me to,” he said recently. “But I’m fine, I still have time to rest and analyse what I can improve to have a season better than the last one.”
As a result, the Serbian will return to Brisbane for the first time since 2009 when he was stunned by Ernests Gulbis in the first round.
Novak Djokovic News
Novak Djokovic gets a nightmare draw and could be set for Carlos Alcaraz showdown
Revealing Novak Djokovic statistic confirms he is still among the game's elite
Last year he played at the United Cup in the lead-up to the Australian Open as he helped Serbia to reach the quarter-final.
“I'm excited to be kicking off my Australian swing at the Brisbane International and to compete again at Pat Rafter Arena,” the world No 7 said.
“I am looking forward to experiencing the incredible support from the Australian fans and making this tournament one to remember.”
And it will be a packed field for the ATP 250 tournament – which runs from December 30 to January 6 – as defending champion Grigor Dimitrov (10), Holger Rune (13) and Frances Tiafoe (18) are the other players inside the top 20 who will also feature.
2018 champion Nick Kyrgios will also make a return in what will be his first tournament since June 2023 with the Australian using his Protected Ranking of 21 to enter the event while rising stars Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard and Jakub Mensik are also in the field.
Australian tennis great Rafter is impressed that Djokovic and the other top stars are “not chasing some money”
“This is not just preparation for the Australian Open – this is a fair dinkum tournament,” two-time US Open champion Pat Rafter said.
“You want to be making sure you're playing your best tennis here. To be here and preparing is what you should be doing.
“A lot of guys go and chase some money, go to the Middle East or something like that, to play but for me, that's not the best lead in for the Australian Open.
“It's about winning, preparing, playing the best matches, and as many matches as you can. That's all part of your journey to the Aussie Open.”
The post Novak Djokovic lauded for ‘not chasing some money’ as first event with Andy Murray is confirmed appeared first on Tennis365.
