Novkak Djokovic confirms new French Open 2025 coaches and hails Andy Murray for ‘brilliant tennis IQ’ despite pair's split
By James Hilsum
Updated 21/05/2025 at 13:31 GMT+1
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Novak Djokovic appears to have made interim appointments to his coaching team following his high-profile split from Andy Murray. The Serbian is preparing to compete at an ATP 250 tournament in Geneva this week, and begins his campaign against Hungarian Marton Fucsovics on Wednesday. Djokovic will be hoping to turn his fortunes around after a difficult spring, before heading to Paris.
Djokovic felt he 'couldn't get more out of partnership' with Murray
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Novak Djokovic has confirmed his new coach heading into this year’s Roland-Garros and paid tribute to Andy Murray after their short-lived partnership.
Dusan Vemic will take over from Murray, with the 48-year-old having previously worked on Djokovic's team as an assistant coach. He also played with his fellow Serbian as a doubles partner.
Djokovic announced the end of his coaching relationship with former rival Murray last week after six months together.
Murray worked alongside the 24-time Grand Slam champion at the Australian Open, but this collaboration will not continue in Paris or at Wimbledon.
Djokovic is squeezing in some last-minute preparation ahead of the French Open in Geneva, and spoke glowingly about Murray in an interview with L’Equipe.
He said: "We said we weren't in a long-term commitment. Australia was a test. We then said we would work in Indian Wells and Miami. On clay, we would go tournament after tournament. And we agreed on this split.
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Highlights: Djokovic dumped out of Monte-Carlo Masters by Tabilo in straight sets
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"We felt like we couldn't get more out of that partnership on the court. My respect for Andy remains the same and it's even greater now that I've got to know him better as a person. He has a brilliant tennis IQ, a rare champion's mindset.
"He sees the game in an incredible way. But, how can I put it, we didn't achieve together what we hoped to achieve in terms of results. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't. We tried."
Djokovic endured a sobering month in April, suffering exits at the first hurdle in Monte Carlo and Madrid to Alejandro Tabilo and Matteo Arnaldi, respectively.
The 37-year-old admitted he is in a "transition period" of an illustrious career, but highlighted his continuing desire to win more Grand Slams.
"It's a different chapter in my life. I'm trying to navigate these waters. I'm not used to these kinds of circumstances, with two eliminations right from the start [Monaco and Madrid].
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"I don't think that's happened to me in the last 20 years. But I knew that, possibly, this moment would come.
"It's hard for me to sit down and think about everything I've accomplished in my career. Of course, I'm proud of it.
"But I still have the desire to win the biggest titles, to win the Grand Slams, to be one of the best players in the world. That's why I'm here to play in the Geneva tournament, because I'm trying to do things well, to win more trophies. The motivation is still there.
"It's just that in this transition period, I have to understand my body, what needs to be done to maintain my health, while being in optimal condition to play my best tennis in the Grand Slams.
"When I'm in a competition, I want to do my best, but the Grand Slams remain the peaks of our sport."
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Highlights: Djokovic stunned in Madrid as Arnaldi secures shock straight-sets win
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'I'm in no rush'- Djokovic names interim coaching duo
Following his split from Murray, Djokovic confirmed his coaching line-up for Roland-Garros and stressed he is "in no rush" to make a permanent appointment.
When asked who would be his new coach, he replied: "Dusan Vemic, the captain of the Serbian BJK Cup team, was on my team a few years ago.
"He's here and will be at Roland-Garros. Boris Bosnjakovic, who was a team analyst and assistant coach, is sharing the next tournaments with Dusan.
"And after that, we'll see. I'm in no rush to choose, or to know if I'll have someone else by my side or not. I don't know. I feel good with them."
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