Andy Murray will get back on court for an Australian Open charity event with Novak Djokovic (Image: Getty)
has signed up to play a pre-Australian Open event despite retiring just months ago.
The five-time finalist at Melbourne Park is back Down Under in a new role this year, coaching .
But he will also return to the court to play two matches on Rod Laver Arena.
Murray is set to compete in the annual ‘A Night With Novak’ event taking place on Thursday night. This is the third edition of Djokovic’s charity exhibition, which raises money for children’s charities through the Australian Tennis Foundation.
The retired Brit will first get involved in a mixed doubles match full of Olympic champions, against Paris 2024 gold medallists Djokovic and Qinwen Zheng. Tokyo 2020 winner Belinda Bencic will reportedly link up with Murray.
In the final contest of the evening, Murray and Djokovic will then join forces with world No. 1 wheelchair star Tokito Oda and Aussie icon Dylan Alcott for a Paralympic tennis challenge.
Djokovic was set to face in a singles match to kick off the charity event, but the Australian was
Andy Murray has been keeping a watchful eye over Novak Djokovic’s practice sessions (Image: Getty)
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While it’s not the same as competing in a Grand Slam tournament, Murray will have the chance to compete in front of a packed Rod Laver Arena crowd again, as tickets for A Night With Novak have already sold out.
The three-time Major winner has already been out on the court with Djokovic in his new coaching role. Murray watched on from the corner as the world No. 7 faced in a practice set on Tuesday, winning it 7-5.
The Brit also got a chance to hit some serves, though his retirement has clearly already taken a toll as he reportedly complained of shoulder pain. Murray and Djokovic were for another practice with .
The Serb came out on top again, beating the British No. 1 6-2, though he trailed by a break in the second set when their session came to an end.
Murray and Djokovic also have a practice session planned on Thursday before taking to the court for the evening’s charity event. The 24-time Major champion is set to hit with young French star Arthur Fils.
The draw will also be made on Thursday, meaning Djokovic will learn who he will face in the first round. It will help Murray plan specific tactics for the Serb’s opening match.
The retired ace is known for having a high tennis IQ, part of the reason Djokovic hired him, though the world No. 7 has admitted it’s been weird sharing his practice secrets with one of his old 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,” he said at last week’s Brisbane International.