Why Novak Djokovic's New Coach Could Change the Game

Novak Djokovic, the tennis superstar from Serbia, has had a disappointing start to the new season after an early exit in Brisbane. Despite his age of 37, he's still aiming high – taking aim at a record-breaking 11th Australian Open title and his 25th Grand Slam win. To help him achieve these goals, he's just hired former rival and champion, Andy Murray, as his new coach. This change has sparked a wave of optimism in the tennis world. Todd Woodbridge, a former doubles World No. 1, shared his insights on Djokovic’s motivation and the current state of tennis. Woodbridge believes Djokovic’s main drive now is to prove he can still compete with the rising stars like Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner, showing them he’s not past his prime. Even at 37, Djokovic remains determined, with Grand Slam wins being his primary focus, not just rankings. Woodbridge praises Djokovic’s consistency but admits his performance in the Grand Slams last year wasn’t his best. Still, he reminds us Djokovic was a finalist at Wimbledon and won Olympic gold. The ex-pro is also confident in the new generation of players, noting that athletes like Alcaraz and Sinner have shown incredible skill. However, Woodbridge suggests they need more finesse and feel, not just power. The Australian Open, Woodbridge explains, plays into Djokovic’s strengths thanks to the Plexicushion surface. It’s fast but balanced, perfect for Djokovic’s all-court game. Woodbridge also sees potential in rising stars like Taylor Fritz and Alex de Minaur, hoping de Minaur can reach a Grand Slam semi-final or final. Stefan Edberg, a six-time Grand Slam champion, believes Djokovic can’t be counted out, despite not winning a major in 2024. His fitness and strategic scheduling keep him in contention, particularly on the hard courts of Melbourne and the grass at Wimbledon.