In a moment that blended nostalgia, humor, and heartfelt respect, Andy Murray and Novak Djokovic shared a lighthearted reunion at Rafael Nadal’s emotional retirement ceremony during the 2025 French Open at Roland Garros. The event, held on Court Philippe-Chatrier, marked the first time the two tennis titans had met since their surprising decision to end their six-month coaching partnership just weeks earlier. Murray, ever the quick-witted Scot, broke the ice with a cheeky self-roast about Djokovic’s immediate success after their split, joking that the Serb’s 100th ATP title in Geneva came because he finally had “a proper coach.” The quip, delivered with Murray’s trademark dry humor, set the tone for a warm encounter that highlighted their enduring friendship despite their professional parting.
The ceremony, a tribute to Nadal’s unparalleled 14 French Open titles, brought together three of tennis’s “Big Four”—Murray, Djokovic, and Roger Federer—in a poignant celebration of their rival-turned-friend. As the trio stood alongside Nadal, the atmosphere was charged with emotion, but Murray’s jest about his coaching stint added a touch of levity. “He did congratulate me [on winning Geneva], and he said: ‘Now that you have a proper coach, you’re winning tournaments,’” Djokovic recounted with a laugh, noting that the exchange was all in good fun. The pair also poked fun at each other’s attire, with Djokovic teasing Murray’s sharp dress sense, a rare sight for the typically casual Scot. “We joked around a bit about his dress code yesterday, because I never saw him dress up so well,” Djokovic said, grinning.
Their coaching collaboration, which began in November 2024 after Murray’s retirement at the Paris Olympics, had initially sparked intrigue across the tennis world. The partnership kicked off with promise at the Australian Open, where Djokovic, guided by Murray, defeated Carlos Alcaraz to reach the semifinals before a hamstring injury forced him to withdraw against Alexander Zverev. “It comes natural to him. His IQ generally and tennis IQ is very high,” Djokovic had praised early on, reflecting on Murray’s seamless transition to coaching. However, the season took a downturn, with Djokovic suffering first-round exits in Monte Carlo, Madrid, and Indian Wells, and a straight-sets loss to Jakub Mensik in the Miami Open final. “We couldn’t get more out of that partnership on court,” Djokovic admitted, explaining the mutual decision to part ways on May 13, 2025, just before the French Open.
Despite the split, their reunion at Nadal’s farewell was devoid of awkwardness, a testament to their deep bond forged over decades of rivalry. “Andy is just an amazing person,” Djokovic said, emphasizing their shared history from junior tournaments to epic Grand Slam battles. The pair, who faced off in seven major finals, also reminisced about their clashes with Nadal, with Murray playfully noting their golf chats and family updates during the ceremony. “It was a fun ride,” Murray said of their coaching stint, adding a tongue-in-cheek jab at Djokovic’s vegan diet: “One thing I won’t miss is the food. He would try to get me to eat vegan. Mate, I don’t want air sandwiches and chickpeas every meal.”
The split’s timing raised eyebrows, with tennis legend Boris Becker expressing shock, saying he was “lost for words” that the partnership ended before Wimbledon, especially after a strong Australian Open. Yet, Djokovic’s post-split triumph in Geneva, his first title since the 2024 Olympics, suggested a return to form. Murray, meanwhile, has hinted at exploring new coaching opportunities, with speculation linking him to British star Emma Raducanu, whom he named in 2022 as a dream player to coach. However, Raducanu’s recent commitment to coach Mark Petchey has shifted focus to Murray’s next move, possibly with another rising talent or even a return to the golf course he’s grown fond of since retiring.
As Djokovic prepares for his French Open campaign, aiming for a record-extending 25th Grand Slam, the absence of Murray in his corner marks a new chapter. With new coaches Dusan Vemic and Boris Bosnjakovic by his side, Djokovic remains a fierce competitor, as Becker noted: “You should never underestimate Novak Djokovic, he’s always a very fierce competitor.” For Murray, the Nadal ceremony was a chance to reflect on his storied career and new coaching path, all while sharing a laugh with an old rival. Their banter, filled with mutual respect, reminded fans why their friendship endures beyond the court, proving that even in tennis’s pressure cooker, humor and camaraderie can steal the spotlight.
# Andy Murray’s Playful Self-Roast Steals the Show at Nadal’s Farewell as He Reunites with Novak Djokovic
In a moment that blended nostalgia, humor, and heartfelt respect, Andy Murray and Novak Djokovic shared a lighthearted reunion at Rafael Nadal’s emotional retirement ceremony during the 2025 French Open at Roland Garros. The event, held on Court Philippe-Chatrier, marked the first time the two tennis titans had met since their surprising decision to end their six-month coaching partnership just weeks earlier. Murray, ever the quick-witted Scot, broke the ice with a cheeky self-roast about Djokovic’s immediate success after their split, joking that the Serb’s 100th ATP title in Geneva came because he finally had “a proper coach.” The quip, delivered with Murray’s trademark dry humor, set the tone for a warm encounter that highlighted their enduring friendship despite their professional parting.
The ceremony, a tribute to Nadal’s unparalleled 14 French Open titles, brought together three of tennis’s “Big Four”—Murray, Djokovic, and Roger Federer—in a poignant celebration of their rival-turned-friend. As the trio stood alongside Nadal, the atmosphere was charged with emotion, but Murray’s jest about his coaching stint added a touch of levity. “He did congratulate me [on winning Geneva], and he said: ‘Now that you have a proper coach, you’re winning tournaments,’” Djokovic recounted with a laugh, noting that the exchange was all in good fun. The pair also poked fun at each other’s attire, with Djokovic teasing Murray’s sharp dress sense, a rare sight for the typically casual Scot. “We joked around a bit about his dress code yesterday, because I never saw him dress up so well,” Djokovic said, grinning.
Their coaching collaboration, which began in November 2024 after Murray’s retirement at the Paris Olympics, had initially sparked intrigue across the tennis world. The partnership kicked off with promise at the Australian Open, where Djokovic, guided by Murray, defeated Carlos Alcaraz to reach the semifinals before a hamstring injury forced him to withdraw against Alexander Zverev. “It comes natural to him. His IQ generally and tennis IQ is very high,” Djokovic had praised early on, reflecting on Murray’s seamless transition to coaching. However, the season took a downturn, with Djokovic suffering first-round exits in Monte Carlo, Madrid, and Indian Wells, and a straight-sets loss to Jakub Mensik in the Miami Open final. “We couldn’t get more out of that partnership on court,” Djokovic admitted, explaining the mutual decision to part ways on May 13, 2025, just before the French Open.
Despite the split, their reunion at Nadal’s farewell was devoid of awkwardness, a testament to their deep bond forged over decades of rivalry. “Andy is just an amazing person,” Djokovic said, emphasizing their shared history from junior tournaments to epic Grand Slam battles. The pair, who faced off in seven major finals, also reminisced about their clashes with Nadal, with Murray playfully noting their golf chats and family updates during the ceremony. “It was a fun ride,” Murray said of their coaching stint, adding a tongue-in-cheek jab at Djokovic’s vegan diet: “One thing I won’t miss is the food. He would try to get me to eat vegan. Mate, I don’t want air sandwiches and chickpeas every meal.”
The split’s timing raised eyebrows, with tennis legend Boris Becker expressing shock, saying he was “lost for words” that the partnership ended before Wimbledon, especially after a strong Australian Open. Yet, Djokovic’s post-split triumph in Geneva, his first title since the 2024 Olympics, suggested a return to form. Murray, meanwhile, has hinted at exploring new coaching opportunities, with speculation linking him to British star Emma Raducanu, whom he named in 2022 as a dream player to coach. However, Raducanu’s recent commitment to coach Mark Petchey has shifted focus to Murray’s next move, possibly with another rising talent or even a return to the golf course he’s grown fond of since retiring.
As Djokovic prepares for his French Open campaign, aiming for a record-extending 25th Grand Slam, the absence of Murray in his corner marks a new chapter. With new coaches Dusan Vemic and Boris Bosnjakovic by his side, Djokovic remains a fierce competitor, as Becker noted: “You should never underestimate Novak Djokovic, he’s always a very fierce competitor.” For Murray, the Nadal ceremony was a chance to reflect on his storied career and new coaching path, all while sharing a laugh with an old rival. Their banter, filled with mutual respect, reminded fans why their friendship endures beyond the court, proving that even in tennis’s pressure cooker, humor and camaraderie can steal the spotlight.
[](https://www.outlookindia.com/sports/tennis/novak-djokovic-insists-andy-murray-partnership-split-was-mutual)[](https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/tennis/article-14751665/Novak-Djokovic-opens-reunion-Andy-Murray-Rafael-Nadals-farewell-tennis.html)[](https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2025/may/26/novak-djokovic-says-he-remains-close-to-amazing-person-andy-murray)
Leave a Reply