Murray and Djokovic’s blockbuster partnership ensures one thing ahead of the Australian Open, as his young rivals grow ever stronger

MELBOURNE, Australia — Novak Djokovic and Andy Murray have known each other for a quarter of a century. They played from the age of 12, meeting 36 times as professionals, including 10 Grand Slam matches. Yet they've never been able to talk shop and freely trade all sorts of thoughts — about tennis and otherwise — until now.

A significant change in tennis rules for 2025 has made Novak Djokovic 's hiring of Andy Murray a stroke of genius. Players can now receive 'brief and discreet instructions between points and during changeovers' from their corner. And none of Djokovic's rivals have a brainbox like Murray in their box.