French tennis player Nicolas Mahut has stated that Novak Djokovic could benefit greatly from appointing Andy Murray as his head coach. The 24-time Grand Slam champion shocked the tennis world by announcing his long-time rival as his new coach.

Mahut, famously known for playing the longest match in Grand Slam history against John Isner at Wimbledon in 2010, believes Murray could be the “trigger” Djokovic needs. The Frenchman feels that the former British No. 1 will bring fresh ideas to Djokovic’s team.

Murray’s appointment came as a surprise, especially since it was leaked to the public without prior rumors. The three-time Grand Slam champion retired from professional tennis at the Paris Olympics in August, and few expected him to begin his coaching career so soon.

Murray’s first coaching role will be a short-term partnership. It is set to conclude after Djokovic’s campaign at next year’s Australian Open.

Novak Djokovic ended the 2024 season without winning a Grand Slam title for the first time since 2017. It was also the first time since 2005 that he didn’t win multiple titles in a single season. He remains tied with Margaret Court for the most Grand Slam titles in history, with 24.

Djokovic’s best chance to win his 25th Grand Slam could come at the Australian Open. It is his most successful tournament, where he has won 10 titles. This year, he lost in the semifinals to Jannik Sinner, marking his first defeat in Melbourne since 2018. He also missed the 2022 edition due to his vaccination status.

In October, Djokovic admitted that the retirements of Andy Murray, Roger Federer, and Rafael Nadal have affected him emotionally. These rivals played a significant role in shaping his career and the sport.

Despite this, Djokovic has no plans to retire anytime soon. The Serbian star remains focused on continuing his journey and adding to his legacy.