Andy Murray has revealed that he would have chosen to coach Roger Federer over Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal if they all asked him at the same time.
The retired tennis star has been working with Djokovic in recent months including at last month’s Australian Open.
His former rival reached the semi-final at the Grand Slam only to retire against Alexander Zverev due to injury.
Djokovic plans to return to action at next week’s Qatar Open and is likely to work with Murray until Wimbledon.
Murray has opened up on working with Djokovic while speaking on the Sporting Misadventures podcast with Chris Hoy.
Murray Would Coach Federer Over Djokovic
Andy Murray told Chris Hoy on the Sporting Misadventures podcast that he would have chosen to coach Roger Federer over Novak Djokovic or Rafael Nadal.
He explained: “I think coaching Roger would have been fun because he looks like it’s so natural. I don’t like (saying that because) he works extremely hard – but he just had all of the shots.
“You would have been able to ask him to do something and he would have been able to do it.”
Murray told Hoy he enjoyed ‘certain parts’ of coaching Djokovic but also found it ‘demanding’ due to his coaching inexperience.
However, he also praised his long-time tennis rival, as he said: “Lots of people can watch a tennis player and go, this is the strategy, anyone who has good tennis knowledge can do that, but not all of their players can execute what you’re asking them to do.
“That, for me, was the thing that was amazing with Novak. In a couple of the matches, I gave him the strategy I thought would work and be beneficial and the way he’s able to execute that and do what is being asked of him, because of his technical abilities, the way he strikes the ball, the way he moves on the court, and just has no weaknesses really, is that they’re able to execute a game plan better than anyone else because they’re so skillful.”
Federer and Nadal have both retired from tennis alongside Murray – with Djokovic the last of the famous four still competing.
Retired British Star Will Coach Former Rival Through Wimbledon
Novak Djokovic will reportedly continue to be coached by Andy Murray through the French Open and Wimbledon.
The Times reported that they have extended their partnership from the Australian Open through the next two Grand Slams.
There is the chance that this could be extended, though Murray won’t be around for every championship Dj0kovic appears in.
Murray missed the Brisbane International last month and is expected to miss next week’s Qatar Open.
