Novak Djokovic and Andy Murray were taking part in a warm-up event in Australia (Image: Eurosport)
refused to answer an question as the pair were grilled on their coaching partnership ahead of the .
The tennis world was sent into a state of shock late last year when Murray announced he’d be joining Team Djokovic as a coach.
Murray had only hung up his racket a couple of months earlier, having retired after the in Paris following a two-decade-long career in tennis.
Having now formally linked up with Djokovic in Australia ahead of the year’s first Grand Slam, the unlikely duo were quizzed on how their partnership has fared so far.
During an on-court event in Australia, WTA Tour star Zheng Qinwen asked if Djokovic had learned anything new from Murray, to which the Serb hesitantly replied: “Uh… yeah.”
Murray, not totally sold by Djokovic’s response, hit back with his typical Scottish wit by saying: “That wasn’t very convincing.”
Djokovic, scrambling for a retort, replied: “It’s confidential I’m sorry. I cannot share.”
The grilling from Zheng had been in good humour, but Djokovic was quick to defend his coach a little later.
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Andy Murray and Novak Djokovic have got their partnership underway (Image: Getty)
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As Zheng was gearing up to send a serve the way of Murray, Djokovic jokingly said: “Just don’t hit my coach please. Anything else is allowed.”
Whether the two tennis legends are still as jovial after the remains to be seen, with fellow icon John McEnroe having already shared one fear surrounding the partnership.
, McEnroe claimed Murray’s coaching career could be a short-lived one, should Djokovic get knocked out in the early rounds of this year’s .
The 65-year-old mused: “This thing with Murray and Djokovic, especially if Djokovic wins they’ll be like ‘wow this is incredible’ and I’m sure he’ll be flooded with coaching requests.
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“If it doesn’t work out, say Djokovic loses in the quarter-final or semi-final, they decide not to continue, would Murray want to coach someone else?”
Djokovic’s path to a 25th Grand Slam title doesn’t appear an easy one, with the 37-year-old on a collision course for in the quarter-final.
Before that though, it’s all eyes on his first-round clash against Nishesh Basavareddy, with the winner set to play either Jaime Faria or Pavel Kotov.
Coach Murray won’t have to concern himself with any split loyalties until the quarter-final at least, given no British players have been drawn in Djokovic’s section.