Novak Djokovic banking on 'unique perspective' of rival-turned-coach Andy Murray ahead of new season

Serbian great begins 2025 campaign in Brisbane having teamed up with former world No 1

Novak Djokovic attends a training session before the Brisbane International. AFP

Serbian star Novak Djokovic said his recently retired rival Andy Murray has brought unique perspective as his new coach and he was eager to put it into practice when he begins his season in Brisbane.

Djokovic, a 24-times major champion, added fellow former world No 1 Murray to his team last month and will work with the Scot until the end of the Australian Open next month.

"He has a unique perspective on my game as one of the greatest rivals I've had. He knows the pros and cons of my game," said Djokovic, who spent 10 days recently with Murray preparing for the 2025 season.

Djokovic will be without Murray in Brisbane but the 37-year-old Serbian is keen to get the most out of his new support staff when they reunite ahead of the Australian Open, which runs from January 12 to 26.

"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. I look forward to it, I really do," Djokovic said.

"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."

Djokovic opens his Brisbane campaign against Rinky Hijikata this week and is looking to win a 100th ATP singles title before attempting a record-extending 11th Australian Open win.

Djokovic is also planning a busier schedule in 2025, after his world ranking slipped to No 7.

"I'm planning to play a few more tournaments than I did last season," he added.

Meanwhile, four-times Grand Slam champion Naomi Osaka says she won't “hang around” in tennis if her results fail to match her expectations.

The 27-year-old Japanese player will play her first match since she suffered a back injury in the China Open in October at the ASB Tennis Classic in Auckland on Monday.

Osaka told a pre-tournament news conference on Sunday she was “humbled” by her form in 2024 in which she picked up her professional career after an almost 15-month break for the birth of her first child. She ended the season ranked 58.

“I don’t think I’m the type of player that would hang around,” Osaka said. “I have a lot of respect for all the players on tour, but the point of my life that I’m at right now, if I’m not above a certain ranking, I don’t see myself playing for a while.

Naomi Osaka during a practice session at Manuka Doctor Arena in Auckland. AP

“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.”

Osaka had a 22-17 win-loss singles record in 2024, reaching the quarter-finals at Doha and at s-Hertogenbosch in the Netherlands.

“I think 2024 humbled me, but I also feel like I grew a lot,” she said. “I worked way harder than I’ve ever worked before. So in that, I guess it was very painful to not get the results I wanted, but I feel like I’m growing and learning and I am really excited for this year [2025].

“I played really good matches. People still talk to me about my Iga [Swiatek] match at the French Open [which she lost 7-6 1-6 7-5]. So I’m glad that I was able to give people memories as well.

“Even though I got injured in Beijing, which was my last tournament, I feel pretty optimistic about how that match would have turned out [against Coco Gauff] and I am excited to play on hard courts again.”

Osaka will play Lina Glushko in the first round of the ASB Classic.