The Australian Open is currently underway and World No.7 Novak Djokovic is not having a smooth campaign. He unexpectedly dropped a set in the first two matches against Nishesh Basavareddy and Jaime Faria.

During his matches, he communicates with former rival and current coach Andy Murray who chose the coaching pods to watch and analyze the Serb’s game. The Scot has now revealed what has surprised him the most when Djokovic is playing matches.

Murray retired last year at the Paris Olympics. He joined Djokovic’s coaching team following the Serb’s split with Croatian coach Goran Ivanisevic who now is in Elena Rybakina‘s team.

The news of Murray joining Djokovic’s team shocked the tennis community and they eagerly waited to see whether a frustrated Djokovic would yell at Murray during tense moments. Though Murray said he would be ‘absolutely fine’ with Djokovic shouting at him, it has not yet happened.

Novak Djokovic is scheduled to lock horns with 26th seed Tomas Machac in the third round on Friday (January 17). The player from the Czech Republic, who defeated Djokovic and World No.3 Carlos Alcaraz last year, refused to reveal the strategy to upset the 10-time Australian Open champion.

Before setting up the clash with Djokovic, Machac knocked out Sumit Nagal in the first round and battled past Reilly Opelka in five sets which also had three tie-breaks.

The 24-year-old has met Djokovic twice. They first met in the 2023 Dubai Tennis Championships which Djokovic won in three sets. In their last encounter at the 2024 Geneva Open, Machac eliminated the 24-time Grand Slam champion.