Tennis legend Andy Murray has confessed to an acutely awkward moment during his short-lived stint coaching former rival Novak Djokovic, admitting he was left 'embarrassed' after cramping up on a simple run.
An Unexpected Coaching Alliance
In a surprising move at the start of 2025, the recently retired Scot, Andy Murray, teamed up with Serbian superstar Novak Djokovic as his coach. The partnership lasted for six months, beginning with the Australian Open, where Djokovic reached the semi-finals after a shock win over Carlos Alcaraz before withdrawing injured.
The 'Gentle' Run That Brought Agony
The embarrassing incident occurred on their very first day working together. After a tennis session, one of Djokovic's trainers asked Murray if he would mind joining the world number one for a 'long slow run' in a park. Feeling obliged on his first day, Murray agreed despite having done little running since his mid-twenties.
'I was like 'oh my god',' Murray recalled on The Tennis Podcast. 'I told them that, and they said 'it’s fine, it will be a gentle run'.'
The reality was far from gentle for Murray. The run lasted for 50 minutes and included several hills. After just four or five minutes, his left calf cramped severely.
'I was like 'oh no', but I can’t say anything because this is embarrassing,' he said. Determined not to show weakness to his long-time rival, Murray pushed through the pain and completed the entire session.
Partnership Ends After Mixed Results
The coaching arrangement came to a mutual end in May 2025. Djokovic's form proved inconsistent following the Australian Open, with early exits in four of his next five tournaments and a loss in the Miami Open final.
Despite the awkward start and the partnership's brief duration, Murray has no regrets. 'I look back on it and I'm glad that I did it,' he stated. 'It is an amazing experience that I've had. I put everything into it that I had.'
The story serves as a humorous and humanising glimpse into the dynamic between two of tennis's greatest champions, once fierce competitors, navigating a new and unexpected relationship.
