Andy Murray will bring “huge value” to Novak Djokovic and his team, according to Murray’s former coach Daniel Vallverdu.
The long-time rivals made a surprise announcement last month, revealing that Murray was joining Team Djokovic as a coach, starting with this offseason and next month's Australian Open.
Vallverdu, who has known Murray since they were teenagers at the Sanchez-Casal academy in Barcelona and was part of the Briton’s coaching staff between 2010 and 2014, believes the new Djokovic-Murray partnership will be fuelled by a shared desire to neutralise the threat of the younger generation.
“I think he brings a lot – and a lot more than people can think of as a first impression,” Vallverdu told The National.
“I think he will bring motivation, he will bring a sense of, it’s them against the younger boys. It will bring a sense of having someone by his side that has not only been through similar situations that he has, but who has been alongside him when he’s been going through these situations and also on the other side of the court.
“He will bring incredible tennis knowledge and incredible tennis IQ, which between the two of them, in my opinion, they’re currently two players – and Andy being an ex-player – that have the highest tennis IQ, they’re just two brilliant tennis minds.”
This year was the first since 2002 that no member of the ‘Big Three’ – Djokovic, Rafael Nadal or Roger Federer – has won at least one grand slam, with Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz splitting the four majors between them in 2024.
While Djokovic fulfilled a lifelong dream of winning Olympic gold at the Paris Games during the summer, the Serb was unable to pick up any additional silverware in his 2024 campaign, which he finished ranked seventh in the world.
With 99 titles on his resume, including an all-time record 24 Grand Slams, Djokovic has nothing left to prove but his appointment of Murray as his new coach implies the 37-year-old is not done with tennis just yet.
“From my perspective I can’t wait to see the outcome and I cannot wait to see how that relationship develops,” said Vallverdu.
“You never know obviously what the results will be but my sense is that it will be a very fruitful and positive partnership and a very positive coach-player relationship with great results.
“I’m expecting Novak to have an incredible season and to have really good results. I think Andy will bring huge value and it will become a team where they will feel, OK, we the older guys are now having to take on the younger generation with all our knowledge. And knowing them both, they will give everything they have to try and achieve all of Novak’s goals. So it will be very special to watch and I cannot wait.”
Vallverdu currently splits his time between coaching Grigor Dimitrov – alongside Jamie Delgado – and his role as strategic advisor to the Saudi Tennis Federation.
He is also the co-tournament director of the Next Gen ATP Finals, which commenced in Jeddah on Wednesday for the second of five editions of the event taking place in the Red Sea city.
Dimitrov is currently in Dubai preparing for the 2025 season with Delgado and the rest of the team and the Bulgarian is looking to build on a resurgent 2024, in which he returned to the top 10 in the world rankings for the first time since 2018.
Asked to divulge the secret behind this Dimitrov renaissance, Vallverdu said: “I think he’s been extremely committed to the game over the last two years, since we started working again.
“We have a great team around him, with Jamie Delgado and [fitness trainer] Sebastien Durand and the rest of the team. He’s been with Seb for the past 15 years and he’s been working with me and Jamie over the last couple of years.
“We’ve managed to build a lot of consistency around him, in terms of work and in terms of routines and habits and building the right way to be at the top of the game. And his commitment has been incredible.
“And not only that, but obviously once you start coming towards the end of your career, it comes down to how hungry you are to have the big results. And that hunger and passion is still there, which is amazing to see and amazing to have the opportunity to work with him at this stage of his career with his ambitions.”
Dimitrov, 33, began his 2024 season by lifting the trophy in Brisbane – his first title since 2017 – and reached another three finals, at the Masters 1000 tournament in Miami, and the ATP 250 events in Marseille and Stockholm. He went 6-5 against top-10 opponents this year and finished the season ranked No 10 in the world.
“So what’s been the key? It’s a lot of different components coming together and him being very committed to finish his career as strong as he can and give it all he has for the next few years,” said Vallverdu.
“He’s in a good place, obviously had a great year last year, back in the top 10 after a while, and now he’s having a great offseason in Dubai with Jamie and the rest of the team.
“I’m in daily contact with them but they’re the ones doing the hard work under the sun. They’re looking forward for the season to begin. He’ll fly to Australia on the 23rd of December and start in Brisbane.
“He’s looking forward to 2025 and obviously the competition is extremely challenging. This younger generation keeps getting better and better, and that’s what’s exciting as well. Which is I’m sure what’s exciting Novak also, it’s seeing the challenge in front of them and finding ways with their experience and their, maybe, different game styles to try and disrupt the younger player at least for a few more years.”
Both Djokovic and Dimitrov will kick off their 2025 seasons at the ATP 250 in Brisbane, which runs from December 31 to January 7, in the build-up to the Australian Open.
The President's Cake
Director: Hasan Hadi
Starring: Baneen Ahmad Nayyef, Waheed Thabet Khreibat, Sajad Mohamad Qasem
Rating: 4/5
THE DETAILS
Kaala
Dir: Pa. Ranjith
Starring: Rajinikanth, Huma Qureshi, Easwari Rao, Nana Patekar
Rating: 1.5/5
Teaching in coronavirus times
The Comeback: Elvis And The Story Of The 68 Special
Simon Goddard
Omnibus Press
Avatar: Fire and Ash
Director: James Cameron
Starring: Sam Worthington, Sigourney Weaver, Zoe Saldana
Rating: 4.5/5
EMERGENCY PHONE NUMBERS
Estijaba – 8001717 – number to call to request coronavirus testing
Ministry of Health and Prevention – 80011111
Dubai Health Authority – 800342 – The number to book a free video or voice consultation with a doctor or connect to a local health centre
Emirates airline – 600555555
Etihad Airways – 600555666
Ambulance – 998
Knowledge and Human Development Authority – 8005432 ext. 4 for Covid-19 queries
Who was Alfred Nobel?
The Nobel Prize was created by wealthy Swedish chemist and entrepreneur Alfred Nobel.
- In his will he dictated that the bulk of his estate should be used to fund "prizes to those who, during the preceding year, have conferred the greatest benefit to humankind".
- Nobel is best known as the inventor of dynamite, but also wrote poetry and drama and could speak Russian, French, English and German by the age of 17. The five original prize categories reflect the interests closest to his heart.
- Nobel died in 1896 but it took until 1901, following a legal battle over his will, before the first prizes were awarded.
A cryptocurrency primer for beginners
Cryptocurrency Investing for Dummies – by Kiana Danial
There are several primers for investing in cryptocurrencies available online, including e-books written by people whose credentials fall apart on the second page of your preferred search engine.
Ms Danial is a finance coach and former currency analyst who writes for Nasdaq. Her broad-strokes primer (2019) breaks down investing in cryptocurrency into baby steps, while explaining the terms and technologies involved.
Although cryptocurrencies are a fast evolving world, this book offers a good insight into the game as well as providing some basic tips, strategies and warning signs.
Begin your cryptocurrency journey here.
Available at Magrudy’s , Dh104
More coverage from the Future Forum
Ten tax points to be aware of in 2026
1. Domestic VAT refund amendments: request your refund within five years
If a business does not apply for the refund on time, they lose their credit.
2. E-invoicing in the UAE
Businesses should continue preparing for the implementation of e-invoicing in the UAE, with 2026 a preparation and transition period ahead of phased mandatory adoption.
3. More tax audits
Tax authorities are increasingly using data already available across multiple filings to identify audit risks.
4. More beneficial VAT and excise tax penalty regime
Tax disputes are expected to become more frequent and more structured, with clearer administrative objection and appeal processes. The UAE has adopted a new penalty regime for VAT and excise disputes, which now mirrors the penalty regime for corporate tax.
5. Greater emphasis on statutory audit
There is a greater need for the accuracy of financial statements. The International Financial Reporting Standards standards need to be strictly adhered to and, as a result, the quality of the audits will need to increase.
6. Further transfer pricing enforcement
Transfer pricing enforcement, which refers to the practice of establishing prices for internal transactions between related entities, is expected to broaden in scope. The UAE will shortly open the possibility to negotiate advance pricing agreements, or essentially rulings for transfer pricing purposes.
7. Limited time periods for audits
Recent amendments also introduce a default five-year limitation period for tax audits and assessments, subject to specific statutory exceptions. While the standard audit and assessment period is five years, this may be extended to up to 15 years in cases involving fraud or tax evasion.
8. Pillar 2 implementation
Many multinational groups will begin to feel the practical effect of the Domestic Minimum Top-Up Tax (DMTT), the UAE's implementation of the OECD’s global minimum tax under Pillar 2. While the rules apply for financial years starting on or after January 1, 2025, it is 2026 that marks the transition to an operational phase.
9. Reduced compliance obligations for imported goods and services
Businesses that apply the reverse-charge mechanism for VAT purposes in the UAE may benefit from reduced compliance obligations.
10. Substance and CbC reporting focus
Tax authorities are expected to continue strengthening the enforcement of economic substance and Country-by-Country (CbC) reporting frameworks. In the UAE, these regimes are increasingly being used as risk-assessment tools, providing tax authorities with a comprehensive view of multinational groups’ global footprints and enabling them to assess whether profits are aligned with real economic activity.
Contributed by Thomas Vanhee and Hend Rashwan, Aurifer
The Orwell Prize for Political Writing
Twelve books were longlisted for The Orwell Prize for Political Writing. The non-fiction works cover various themes from education, gender bias, and the environment to surveillance and political power. Some of the books that made it to the non-fiction longlist include:
- Appeasing Hitler: Chamberlain, Churchill and the Road to War by Tim Bouverie
- Some Kids I Taught and What They Taught Me by Kate Clanchy
- Invisible Women: Exposing Data Bias in a World Designed for Men by Caroline Criado Perez
- Follow Me, Akhi: The Online World of British Muslims by Hussein Kesvani
- Guest House for Young Widows: Among the Women of ISIS by Azadeh Moaveni
Labour dispute
The insured employee may still file an ILOE claim even if a labour dispute is ongoing post termination, but the insurer may suspend or reject payment, until the courts resolve the dispute, especially if the reason for termination is contested. The outcome of the labour court proceedings can directly affect eligibility.
- Abdullah Ishnaneh, Partner, BSA Law
Who's who in Yemen conflict
Houthis: Iran-backed rebels who occupy Sanaa and run unrecognised government
Yemeni government: Exiled government in Aden led by eight-member Presidential Leadership Council
Southern Transitional Council: Faction in Yemeni government that seeks autonomy for the south
Habrish 'rebels': Tribal-backed forces feuding with STC over control of oil in government territory
