Andy Murray reveals worst part about coaching Novak Djokovic that left him in 'so much pain' on Day 1

Andy Murray recalled the horrors he faced on his first day as Novak Djokovic's coach. The Brit joined as the latter's coach in November 2024, and their partnership ended in May 2025.

Andy Murray broke through in 2016, when he reached three Major finals and won the Wimbledon title, alongside defending his Olympic gold in Rio. He also achieved the top ranking in November that year and ended the year with the ATP Finals title, trouncing Djokovic. Murray was regarded as a player with one of the best two-handed backhands, and his defense and excellence on the court earned him a place in the Big Four.

After enjoying immense success in 2016, Murray suffered a hip injury, underwent surgery, and struggled to return to his top form. Following a slew of injuries and health concerns, Murray retired in 2024, after making the doubles quarterfinals at the 2024 Paris Games. That same year in November, he joined his fellow player and rival, Novak Djokovic, to coach him as the Serb continued his quest for the 25th Grand Slam win.

However, Murray's experience on the first day with the Serb was one for the record books. He not only ran for the first time in years but also suffered a cramp in his left calf. However, he continued running as he didn't want the Serb to have an impression of him.

"I turned up to the the training camp his physical trainer was like, 'oh Novak's going for like a long sort of slow run in the park later. Would you mind joining him?' I was like oh my god but I didn't run since I was about 25 on the court. I did but I never ran as part of my training and I was like it's my first day on the job. I can say no. I'm not doing this yeah no worries I'll do that but after about four or five minutes my left calf cramped and I was like oh no but I can't say anything like this is embarrassing you know like after four or five minutes and anyway I finished I completed the 50 minutes.

"I was in so much pain and anyway when I finished I said to his team I was like guys I mean you need to help me out here like I've been running for 45 minutes my left calf cramped whilst I was there. I couldn't stop, like I didn't want to show to him like oh my god you know there's someone I've been competing against for such a long time and after five minutes you know he's struggling training with me so I did tough it out but it's pretty embarrassing moment for me," Murray said in the Tennis Podcast.

Murray won three Grand Slam titles in his career.

Andy Murray and Novak Djokovic head-to-head

Murray and Djokovic at the Barclays ATP World Tour Finals - Source: Getty

Andy Murray and Novak Djokovic faced each other 36 times on the court, and the latter leads the head-to-head 25-11. The Serb dominated on the other surfaces, while the Brit mainly shone on the grass.

Djokovic stands as the most decorated tennis player with 24 Major wins and all of the Big Titles, among other notable record-breaking feats.