Andy Murray will not attend Novak Djokovic’s opening tournament of the 2025 season, as he has been appointed the Serbian star’s new coach.
Djokovic is set to kick off his season at the Brisbane International, an ATP 250 event scheduled from December 29 to January 5.
The 37-year-old, who will be making his first appearance at the Brisbane International since 2009, told the tournament’s website: “I’m excited to be kicking off my Australian swing at the Brisbane International and to compete again at Pat Rafter Arena.
“I am looking forward to experiencing the incredible support from the Australian fans and making this tournament one to remember.”
Cam Pearson, the tournament director, said: “We are thrilled to have Novak headlining the Brisbane International 2025 along with [WTA] world No 1 Aryna Sabalenka.
“This is by far the strongest field the tournament has seen with 15 of the top-20 men and women players confirmed.”
Murray, however, is “not expected to accompany Djokovic” for the trip to Brisbane, according to a report by the PA news agency.
Fans eager to see Novak Djokovic with Andy Murray in his coaching box will have to wait until the 2025 Australian Open, scheduled for January 12-26.
Djokovic, who announced Murray as his new coach last month, surprised the tennis world by partnering with one of his fiercest former rivals. Between 2006 and 2017, the two clashed 36 times, with Djokovic leading their head-to-head record 25-11.
The 24-time Grand Slam champion has largely been without a coach since parting ways with Goran Ivanisevic in March, aside from a brief stint with Nenad Zimonjic.
Meanwhile, Murray, a three-time Grand Slam winner and former world No. 1, retired from professional tennis after the 2024 Paris Olympics in August.
Djokovic, now ranked seventh, will be the top seed at the Brisbane International, where defending champion Grigor Dimitrov, ranked 10th, is the second seed.
Other top players in the field include Holger Rune and Frances Tiafoe, both ranked within the top 20, as well as 19 of the ATP top 50 players.
The tournament will also feature the return of Nick Kyrgios, who has been sidelined by injuries for most of the past two seasons. Using his protected ranking of world No. 21, the former world No. 13 is set to make his comeback.
