Novak Djokovic has talked up his new working relationship with Andy Murray (Image: Getty)
Novak Djokovic has claimed Andy Murray will bring a “champion mentality” to his coaching team even if the Serbian superstar feels “strange” sharing secrets with his former rival.
The Scot made the shock announcement last month he will work with his fellow 37-year-old Djokovic at the Australian Open.
The two spent a 10-day training block together before Christmas and will re-unite in Melbourne as the Olympic champion bids to win a record 25th Grand Slam singles title.
Speaking before his first event since October at the Brisbane International, world No.7 Djokovic said: “Being on the same side of the net is actually great for a change because he’s been one of my greatest rivals.
“In a way it was strange for me to share all these kinds of insights about how I feel on the court, sharing some of the secrets of what I’m going through, what I’m thinking about, how I see my game with somebody that has been always one of the top rivals.
“But I’m so glad and very thankful that he has accepted to work with me here in Australia.
“The 10 days that we spent together were terrific. I enjoyed every bit of it. He’s very meticulous, he’s very dedicated, so professional.
“He has a unique perspective on my game as one of the greatest rivals that I’ve had. He knows the pros and cons of my game.
The two former rivals will now work together to aim to bring Djokovic more silverware (Image: Getty)
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“I think he’s bringing a fresh look to my game and I’ll be able to benefit from that, no doubt, on the court. But also that champion mentality he has, I’m sure we’ll match very well.”
Murray, who is not in Brisbane, reached five Australian Open finals and retired at the Paris Olympics in August. “He played until recently on the tour, so he knows all the other best players currently in the world, the youngsters and the weaknesses and strengths in their game,” Djokovic added.
The Serbian is also playing the doubles in Brisbane with Nick Kyrgios – and has joined the Aussie in voicing criticism in how tennis authorities have handled positive doping tests for and .
“It’s not a good image, not a good look for our sport,” Djokovic said.
“I’m just questioning the way the system works really and why certain players are not treated the same like the other players. The issue is the inconsistency, the transparency.
“We’ve been kept in the dark with Jannik’s case. I’m not questioning whether he took the banned substance intentionally or not.
“But I’ve been really frustrated, as most of the players (have), to see that we’ve been kept in the dark for five months.”
World No.58 Naomi Osaka has warned she will walk away from tennis to spend more time with her daughter Shai if she cannot recapture her old form. The former world No.1, who is playing at the ASB Classic in Auckland, said: “I’d rather spend time with my daughter if I’m not where I think I should be and where I feel like I can be.”