Retired Serbian tennis legend Andy Murray said on Saturday that he has agreed to join Novak Djokovic’s team and will coach him at the Australian Open next year.
Briton Murray retired after the Olympic Games held this year in Paris, where Djokovic won the gold medal.
The 37-year-olds, both former world No. 1s, have met each other 36 times, with Djokovic winning 25 matches on the ATP Tour.
“We’ve been playing each other since we were kids, 25 years of competition, pushing each other beyond our limits,” Djokovic said.
“We’ve had some of the most epic battles in our sport. They’ve called us game-changers, risk-takers, and history-makers. I thought our story might be over, and it turns out it has a final chapter,” he said.
“It’s time for one of my toughest competitors to step into my corner. Welcome aboard, Coach Andy Murray,” the athlete added.
Djokovic won nine of his 24 Grand Slam titles under Goran Ivanisevic as his coach, but the Croat left his team in March.
“I will be joining Novak’s team in the post-season to help him prepare for the Australian Open,” said Murray, a three-time Grand Slam champion and two Olympic gold medalist.
“I’m really excited about it and I’m looking forward to spending some time on the same side of the net as Novak for a change and helping him achieve his goals,” he added.
Djokovic did not win any major tournament this year and fell to seventh place in the world rankings.
He will target a record 11th Australian Open title when this year’s major tournament begins on January 12.