Dan Evans questioned Andy Murray’s coaching role with Novak Djokovic ahead of their first tournament together at the Australian Open.

Novak Djokovic

Andy Murray will be coaching Novak Djokovic during the Australian Open this month (Image: Getty)

Dan Evans questioned just how full-on Andy Murray’s schedule as Novak Djokovic’s coach will be – admitting he doesn’t think his former doubles partner will ever be in the role full-time. The Brit was surprisingly named the new coach of the 24-time Grand Slam champion just four months after his retirement from tennis last year.

While the pair are on a “trial” basis for the Australian Open this week, where Djokovic will take on Nishesh Basavareddy in the first round, the two tennis icons are said to have planned to make a “more definite decision” over their working relationship after the tournament.

Having ended the 2024 season without a Grand Slam title to his name, Djokovic will be hoping that the addition of Murray will reignite his winning run in Australia, where he’s won a record 11 titles. Discussing Murray’s new role in the sport, Evans – who competed with the Scotsman in the men’s doubles before his retirement at the Paris 2024 Olympics – reckons it “makes sense” to work with the Serbian.

“I was as excited as everyone else to hear the news that Andy Murray will be coaching Novak Djokovic at the Australian Open,” the 34-year-old wrote in his Daily Mail column. “It makes sense for Andy – three weeks in the Aussie summer when the weather back home is rubbish for golf!

“As for Novak, he’s not stupid, he hasn’t just picked him because it’s going to make the headlines – Andy is going to be a great coach. He’s pretty obsessive about everything he does – including his golf – and this will be no exception. He loves the stats as well and obviously has an incredible work ethic.

“It’s great that Andy will be back on the tour and, while it’s Novak getting his services at the moment, why can’t a British player reach out to him? I’d like to see that, he’d be a great acquisition for any British player.

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Andy Murray and Dan Evans competed in the doubles tournament at the Paris 2024 Olympics (Image: Getty)

“In the big events and the build-up, no one knows how to prepare for a Grand Slam better than him so for a Brit to have Andy, perhaps alongside their usual coach, could be a priceless resource.”

However, Evans added that he doesn’t see a full-time schedule of being a coach in Murray’s future, citing his enjoyment of retirement and not wanting to travel away from his family for much of the year. “And that’s what Andy will be: a resource. I don’t think he’s ever going to be a full-time coach, travelling 30-40 weeks of the year,” he added.

“He needs time away from tennis with his family and his golf, he’s enjoying retirement. But these short stints around a Grand Slam will be perfect for him and long may it continue because he’s really missed on the tour. Hopefully he’ll be around for Indian Wells because that’s always a good golfing trip!”

Murray arrived in Melbourne this week to get to work with Djokovic. They were seen enjoying their first session together out on court, which the Brit had a complaint about.

But it wasn’t to do with his new mentee. According to The First Serve, Murray spent part of the practice serving into the edge of the court and hitting shadow backhands.

Afterwards, he is said to have complained about pain in his shoulder, a stark reminder of why he hung up his racket. The focus now is on Djokovic, who can move out into unchartered territory with his 25th Grand Slam triumph Down Under.