Andy Murray shares main goal of Novak Djokovic link-up as massive prediction made

wants to be recognised as “the best athlete of all time” by winning more Grand Slams.

The Scot has admitted he was “shocked” to be asked to join the Serbian superstar’s coaching team at the .

But the Olympic champion failed to win a Major last year for the first time since 2017 as the new generation of and claimed all four.

Djokovic leads the male GOAT race after winning more Grand Slams than the retired , and Murray

But Murray said his fellow 37-year-old had “a little bit missing” last season. And the Scot said he must now find the new “motivation” of beating the Italian and the Spaniard to ensure a glorious end to his career.

“Novak broke many records in 2023 and he last thing on his bucket list at the time was to win the Olympics,” said the three-time Grand Slam winner. “In my opinion, from watching his matches last year, there was at times a little bit missing, but there wasn’t at the Olympics, and at .

“When he was fully motivated and fully focused, he won the Olympics, which is an incredible achievement. I think it was only natural after that for there to be a bit of a let down, because he’d set himself really one target and one goal for the year and he did that.

“So for me and his team, it’s about trying to find that motivation to keep going and pushing for more. Novak has in the last few years cemented himself as the best tennis player of all time, certainly of his generation, with the records that he’s achieved.

“These next couple of years, I think he maybe already has a legitimate claim to be the best athlete of all time. But I think if he can go out as a 38, 39 year old and win more Slams, and beat Alcaraz and Sinner in big matches, he’s got a claim to be the best athlete of all time and I think that’s exciting for me and his team to be part of that.”

Djokovic joked he “begged” Murray to join his coaching team as he seeks to win a record-extending 11th title – and new record of 25 Grand Slam singles titles in Melbourne.

It is the venue where the Serb beat the Scot four times in the final. “He was single-handedly responsible for me not winning here,” laughed the Scot. “The way it happened is that I begged him, I said, ‘Andy please be my coach’,” Djokovic said, tongue in cheek.

But the two rivals, who first competed against each other aged 12, are now on the same team.

“I think the first couple of days it was a bit strange, and it was a bit different,” said Murray. “But both of us have been trying to encourage that communication, and try and build that trust.

“I’ve found at times coaching maybe a little bit more demanding than I expected. I think when you’re a player, you just see what you do on the court, and you’re not involved in all the conversations with your team that go into each day, about how you’re feeling, or what it is that you’re going to work on, and the strategy and preparations for matches.

“And with frustrations on court and stuff. I totally understand that side of things for him. I’m here to try and help him as best as I can.”