As he prepares to take his seat in the coaches' box for the first time on Monday, Andy Murray says his goal is to help Novak Djokovic become not only the greatest tennis player, but also the greatest athlete of all time.
“Novak has established himself in recent years as the best tennis player of all time with the records he has achieved,” said the Scot.
“In the next few years, if he can go out at 38, 39 years old and win more Slams, and beat Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner in important matches, he will have the right to be the best athlete of all time and it is exciting for me and his team be part of it.”
On Monday morning at 8am UK time, Djokovic will play 19-year-old Nishesh Basavareddy, twice his age, in the first round of the Australian Open. It's the start of what looks like a big year in the twilight zone of Djokovic's career.
Last year he did not reach a single final on the tour, but he woke up at the Olympic Games, starring in one of his best matches against Alcaraz in the final. That Olympic gold for Serbia has been Djokovic's white whale; finally achieving it was, he said, the crowning glory of his career.
With nothing left to win, he must prove this year that he still has the hunger to succeed and the skill and toughness of mind and body to beat Alcaraz and Sinner.
Andy Murray says his goal is to help Novak Djokovic become the greatest athlete of all time
Murray coaches Djokovic at the Australian Open as the Serbian aims for his 25th Grand Slam
Djokovic will begin his Australian Open campaign against unseeded Nishesh Basavareddy
“In my opinion, after watching his games last year, he was a little lacking at times,” Murray said. 'But there wasn't one at the Olympic Games.
'The injury at the French Open (a torn meniscus) just before the Olympics probably caught his attention. He had a great Wimbledon, a difficult final there (beaten by Alcaraz), but after a knee operation, it is an incredible result.
'When he was fully motivated and fully focused, he won the Olympics. It was only natural that there would be a little disappointment after that, because he had set a goal and a goal for the year and he did it, he achieved the last thing he felt he needed.
“So for me and his team, it's about trying to find that motivation to keep going and strive for more.”
What is unique about this alliance is that Murray and Djokovic, who have had two decades of practice keeping secrets from each other, must now reveal everything.
Djokovic said, “All cards are open on the table,” and Murray agreed.
“It's been incredibly open,” the Scot said. 'The first few days were a bit strange. But we've both been trying to foster that communication and build that trust. “It has been fascinating.”
Murray and Djokovic spent two decades keeping secrets, but now they must reveal them all
Djokovic and Murray benefit from the relationship they previously shared as players
Djokovic hopes Murray's coaching guidance can help him achieve Australian Open glory
One man who has seen the new partnership up close is British number one Jack Draper (pictured), who practiced with Djokovic on Wednesday.
One man who has seen the new partnership up close is British number one Jack Draper, who practiced with Djokovic on Wednesday.
“They keep their secrets internally, but it was amazing to have Andy on the court and I think he will add a lot to Novak's game,” Draper said.
Murray has been a great supporter of British tennis and there is a feeling that if he continues in his new career he will eventually work with one of his compatriots.
As Draper looks to move to the next level, it's far from a huge leap to imagine he could one day bring in his former Davis Cup teammate.
Draper is fully committed to his coach James Trotman, but has not ruled out the possibility of working with Murray at some point in the future.
“We'll see what happens later,” the 23-year-old said. 'I've definitely asked him about my game in the past and he's always been amazing at analyzing my game. He has a great tennis brain.
“Anything he brings to any team is going to have a really positive impact. And his personality too, he's fun to be around and he's a master of all things on the court.
“Right now, I'm happy with my current setup, but it's really exciting to see him come back to tennis and feel like he wants to be a part of it.”