The roles are different, but the setting is familiar to the newly formed double act of Novak Djokovic and Andy Murray.
Melbourne in January was once a regular date, much to the Scot's dismay. The Serb beat Dunblane's best in four Australian Open finals and one semi-final.
However, Djokovic sees his old rival as crucial to achieving a historic Grand Slam victory. Then they meet again under the Australian sun.
The reason behind Djokovic's belief in Murray's coaching talent dates back more than a quarter of a century and involves shared values, different personalities, early friendship, constant rivalry and enduring respect.
The couple first met on the youth circuit when they were both 11 years old. Both were born in May 1987, with the Scotsman being a week older.
Their early experience was marked by trauma: Djokovic endured the NATO bombing of Belgrade in 1999 and Murray survived the Dunblane massacre in 1986 by hiding in the principal's office with other students.
Murray and Djokovic competing in doubles at the Australian Open in 2006
Murray congratulates his rival after losing the first of his four finals in Melbourne in 2011
Djokovic shakes Murray's hand after winning a close 2015 final
Their careers have run side by side, and Djokovic walked away to become the greatest tennis player of all time. Aesthetes may prefer Roger Federer, others may opt for Rafael Nadal, but the numbers are compelling.
Djokovic has a better matchup with both (31-29 over Nadal and 27-23 over Federer) and won the most grand slams.
He is now tied with Margaret Court and Melbourne 2025 is his best chance of breaking the record on his own.
However, Djokovic is on borrowed time. Last season he did not win any Grand Slam titles. He is 37 years old. There are at least two players who believe they can beat him now: Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner.
Once, Djokovic could win and won by simply being Djokovic. Now you need every advantage you can find.
This is what led him to Murray. They have watched each other, on and off the field, since they were schoolchildren.
Djokovic has been Murray's usual enemy (25-11 in head-to-head meetings), but this has never diminished the Serb's respect for the Scot. After all, Murray hurt him. Two of the Scot's three Grand Slam titles came by beating Djokovic in finals at Flushing Meadows and Wimbledon.
In fact, the Serbian always trusted that his contemporary would follow him as a Grand Slam winner.
In a wonderful fireside chat with the press at Wimbledon in 2012, Djokovic, the defending champion, revealed that he had just been on holiday in Perthshire and texted Murray pictures from Dunblane.
Then, more specifically, he said that the Scot would soon win a major. Murray lost to Federer in the Wimbledon final two weeks later, but finished the season by winning Olympic gold and beating Djokovic in the US Open final.
So why Murray as a coach? And why now? The first question reveals a lot about both men. Djokovic, despite his growing invincibility, has always been vulnerable. In fact, early in his career he earned a reputation for frailty by withdrawing from tournaments, citing eye and respiratory problems.
He became extraordinarily fit by changing his diet and, crucially, his way of thinking. You need someone on your side who you know and trust.
Both he and Murray share a tireless work ethic. They are both motivated. Both make opponents work for every point. They understand each other. Murray benefited from this interaction with a Grand Slam winner when Ivan Lendl was his coach. This is a similar move, although one suspects Murray will be more involved in specific details.
The pair appear relaxed ahead of Djokovic's quest for an 11th title in Australia.
The moment has the obvious reason that Djokovic is looking for something different, since he knows that he is not the impregnable force of yesteryear, or even of 2023, when he won three Grand Slam titles.
The world of tennis was once in the hands of the Serbian, but not anymore. He could once win simply by being Novak, the reliable server, the best returner of all time, the most flexible, the fittest, the bravest in decisive moments. But the young gunmen of Sinner and Alcaraz have inflicted wounds. They are not fatal for the Serbian's hopes in Melbourne but they have made him reflect.
He knows that Murray has one of the best tactical brains in tennis. This was evident when we were schoolchildren. Leon Smith, Murray's first professional coach, remembers that his pupil reviewed the girls' and boys' draws in youth tournaments and accurately commented on the strengths and weaknesses of each competitor. This thirst for knowledge was transferred to the professional circuit.
If Murray faced a surprise wild card or a lucky unexpected loser in the early rounds of a tournament, he could immediately talk about his opponent's qualities without resorting to websites. As a player he closely followed both the men's and women's circuits.
Murray will have significant input into the strategy. Djokovic will follow his own path, of course, but there is reason to believe that, at least at times, it will be in the direction pointed out by his coach.
Among them there is a lot of experience from the Australian Open. Djokovic has won 10 of them. Murray has lost in five finals. Both are also masters of how to approach a Grand Slam in terms of preparation and recovery. Djokovic has firm protocols on diet and exercise and it is difficult to foresee drastic changes in this regard, but Murray's greatest strength may be his cheerful and confident nature.
Murray is considered one of the most studious players in the game.
The world has gradually become accustomed to the Scot's dry wit and it shows in the build-up to the Australian Open how relaxed he has been. Djokovic still bears the scars of January 2022, when he was deported from Australia for his stance on not getting vaccinated against Covid.
In fact, the Serbian claimed this week that he had been “fed some food that poisoned me” during his stay in a Melbourne hotel while waiting for his flight home. He has also spoken of “trauma” on subsequent visits to Australia.
Murray will be determined to ensure that Djokovic faces the tests that await him in the best frame of mind.
The scouting and tactical work will be intense on the part of the Scotsman. Djokovic will be fully informed of the details and thoughts on how to exploit the weaknesses. He will be relaxed by his coach's behavior and knowing that Murray knows precisely the difficulty of winning in Melbourne.
The Scot never solved that enigma, losing in five finals. But he only lost to the best. Federer beat him once, Djokovic won four times.
The arithmetic that matters to Djokovic now is winning an 11th Australian and that 25th Grand Slam. Murray will add something significant. Will it be enough?
The double act has intriguing chemistry and has already proven to have some good lines. The drama has not yet unfolded. The only certainty is that it has the power to keep a global audience captivated.