In the ever-shifting landscape of professional tennis, where legends are forged and rivalries burn bright, Novak Djokovic has once again proven he’s not ready to relinquish his throne. At 37, the Serbian maestro, holder of 24 Grand Slam titles, has unleashed a stunning resurgence in 2025, and the secret weapon behind this revival is none other than his former foe, Andy Murray. Since hiring the recently retired Scotsman as his coach late last year, Djokovic has transformed a critical facet of his game—his serve—elevating it to heights that surpass even his peak years. As he storms through the early months of the season, the tennis world is abuzz with one question: could this partnership propel him to a record-breaking 25th Grand Slam?
The numbers tell a compelling story. Djokovic’s first-serve percentage in 2025 has soared to an eye-popping 69%, a marked leap from the 65% he averaged during his dominant prime. This isn’t just a statistical quirk—it’s a game-changer. In the 203 service games he’s played so far, he’s clinched 76% of points on his first serve and held serve an astonishing 89% of the time. For a player approaching his 38th birthday in May, these figures are a testament to his enduring brilliance and adaptability. “I think I’ve been serving pretty well this year,” Djokovic said after a commanding semifinal win over Grigor Dimitrov at the Miami Open, where his serve hit an otherworldly 87% accuracy. “Maybe some other elements in my game haven’t been working particularly well, but the serve was solid.”
The timing of this transformation is no coincidence. After parting ways with longtime coach Goran Ivanisevic in March 2024—a split that left him adrift for six months—Djokovic turned to Murray, a three-time Grand Slam champion and one of his fiercest rivals. Their history is the stuff of tennis lore: born a week apart in May 1987, they’ve clashed 36 times, with Djokovic leading 25-11, including four Australian Open final victories. Yet, Murray’s triumphs over Djokovic in the 2012 US Open and 2013 Wimbledon finals showcased his tactical genius—a quality now fueling their collaboration. “I wanted to have somebody that has won multiple Slams, somebody that really understands what it means to win a Slam, what it means to face the adversity, the pressure, the expectations,” Djokovic explained, highlighting why Murray’s perspective is invaluable.
Their partnership kicked off with a bang at the Australian Open in January, where Djokovic reached the semifinals before a hamstring injury forced him to retire against Alexander Zverev. The setback could’ve derailed lesser spirits, but with Murray in his corner, Djokovic bounced back. By the Miami Open, his serve was a weapon of precision and power, leaving opponents like Dimitrov grasping at air. “I did not expect myself to top the serving performance of the last match, where I had 83%, and I had 87% today,” he marveled after that victory, admitting he missed just five or six serves in the entire match. “That’s really amazing, an amazing standard, really high standard.”
Murray’s influence goes beyond mechanics. Known for his meticulous preparation and high tennis IQ, he’s brought a renewed focus to Djokovic’s game. The Scot, who retired after the 2024 Paris Olympics, has spent decades studying Djokovic from the other side of the net. “He knows the evolution of my game, the weaknesses and strengths,” Djokovic noted, crediting Murray’s ability to dissect opponents and devise strategies. This data-driven approach—once a hallmark of Djokovic’s work with analyst Craig O’Shannessy—seems to have returned, blending seamlessly with Murray’s emphasis on process over panic. The result? A serve that’s not just reliable, but a cornerstone of Djokovic’s resurgence.
The road hasn’t been without bumps. Early 2025 saw rare stumbles—losses in Doha and Indian Wells hinted at vulnerability—but Murray’s steady hand has guided Djokovic back to dominance. As the clay season approaches, starting with Monte-Carlo, the tennis faithful are watching closely. A bolstered serve could be the edge he needs against younger rivals like Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner, who split the 2024 majors between them. “This is a whole different level of serving, obviously,” Djokovic said, a grin creeping into his voice as he reflected on his Miami performance. With Murray by his side, the chase for title No. 100 and Slam No. 25 feels tantalizingly close—and the tennis world can’t look away from this unexpected, electrifying alliance.
Leave a Reply