Andy Roddick thinks Andy Murray is set to face either excessive praise or unfair blame, depending on how his coaching partnership with Novak Djokovic turns out.

The 2003 US Open champion also argued Djokovic hiring Murray “makes sense in so many ways” because he thinks there are few people who the Serb “respects enough to actually consider their opinions.”

In the first round of the 2025 Australian Open, Djokovic battled back from a set down to beat 19-year-old American Nishesh Basavareddy in four sets, marking the 37-year-old icon’s debut match with Andy Murray as his coach.

Djokovic and Murray, once fierce rivals who clashed in 36 memorable matches, stunned the tennis world in November by announcing their unexpected partnership.

Murray, a three-time Grand Slam champion and former world No. 1, ended his illustrious playing career at the 2024 Paris Olympics.

Meanwhile, Djokovic is chasing a record-breaking 11th Australian Open title and his 25th major overall in Melbourne, where he enters the tournament as the seventh seed.

Former world No. 1 Andy Roddick, who faced Murray 11 times and Djokovic nine times before retiring in 2012, shared a fascinating prediction about their collaboration.

“Here’s what I think is going to happen: If Novak does really well, we’re going to give Andy Murray – who I think has one of the highest tennis IQs ever – too much credit,” the 32-time ATP titlist told Betway. “And if something weird happens, we’re going to give Murray too much blame.

“Novak’s not going to change too much from what has got him to 24 Slams and 10 titles in Australia.

“It’s as simple as this – there are very few people that Novak can sit across from at dinner and talk about tennis and strategy, who understand the moment and what he’s trying to do, and whose brain he respects enough to actually consider their opinions. I think Andy Murray is one of those few, so it makes sense in so many ways.

“The common ground with both is that there was never any stone left unturned. They’re both still extremely curious, despite all their successes. It does help that they’ve known each other for so long.

“I worked with Jimmy Connors and we didn’t know each other before we got together, and while it was a super beneficial relationship, there was this ice-breaking part of it. They can just skip right over that, which is a massive benefit for Novak at this point in his career.

“I’m not ever going to undersell anyone making the semis of a Grand Slam, because I know that’s really hard, but I don’t think Novak is playing for quarter-finals now. He might play great and lose, but he won’t leave saying: ‘Well, we did our best.’

“Having Tomas Machac and Reilly Opelka in his part of the draw is brutal, and with Alcaraz potentially in the quarter-finals it doesn’t get any easier. But as my friend Paul Annacone says, you write the greats off at your own peril.”

Djokovic is set to take on 21-year-old Portuguese qualifier Jaime Faria in the second round of the hard-court Grand Slam on Wednesday.

Novak Djokovic has confidently predicted that Carlos Alcaraz will achieve a career Grand Slam “very soon,” applauding the young star’s remarkable accomplishments.

However, the Serbian icon also offered a word of caution to Alcaraz about focusing too much on breaking records and making history.

Seeded seventh and third, respectively, Djokovic and Alcaraz could meet in a thrilling quarter-final showdown at the 2025 Australian Open.

At just 21 years old, Alcaraz has the chance to become the youngest player to win all four Grand Slam tournaments if he secures victory at the ongoing Australian Open or one of the next two editions. The current record belongs to Rafael Nadal, who completed his career Grand Slam at 24 years and three months with his 2010 US Open win.

Meanwhile, Djokovic is chasing his 11th Australian Open crown and a record-extending 25th major title overall.

Alcaraz has openly declared his ambition to challenge Djokovic’s records, with the all-time Grand Slam tally firmly in his sights.

“Obviously, I keep thinking about Nole’s 24 Grand Slams, that’s clear,” Alcaraz admitted in February last year.

“I’m a very ambitious guy and I always want to think big, and I dream big — obviously Djokovic’s 24 is a goal at the end of my career.

“It is something that is inevitable to think about. I am very competitive and that is also what drives me to the highest level to try to be at the same level as the Big Three. The truth is that I dream big.”

In an interview with GQ, Djokovic discussed the possibility of Alcaraz, who already holds four major titles, surpassing his records.

“It’s too early. But, you know, people say my records will never be broken. I doubt that. I mean, Carlos could already be the next guy. Even Jannik [Sinner],” the former world No 1 said.

“If they take care of the body, if they do things in a proper way, focus on longevity, focus on the long-term, then they can do it.

“Carlos has done something no one has done in history for such a young age. So the odds are with him. He is going to complete his [career] Slam very soon.

“He’s even said himself, he wants to make history. He wants to be ‘the best in history.’ I respect that kind of mentality of, ‘Hey, I think I got the goods.’ But maybe it’s a little bit early for him to think about history.”

Novak Djokovic found himself in an awkward spot during a quiz about his new coach, Andy Murray, leaving the 24-time Grand Slam champion feeling embarrassed.

Djokovic recently added his former rival to his coaching team, with Murray joining him in Melbourne for the Australian Open. However, during the quiz, Djokovic discovered he didn’t know much about his colleague, joking that they needed to “have a chat” after learning about Murray’s favorite athlete.

The tennis world was stunned in late November when Djokovic and Murray announced their high-profile partnership, just months after Murray retired at the Paris Olympics. Murray joined Djokovic for a 10-day pre-season training camp and has traveled to Melbourne to support him during the tournament. The duo spent the past week practicing together, with Murray set to sit in Djokovic’s player box for his opening match.

Before his first match with Murray in his corner, Djokovic took part in a quiz to test how well he knew his new coach. Despite their long-standing relationship—having known each other since childhood and competed on the sport’s biggest stages—Djokovic struggled with the questions. Laura Robson began by asking him to name Murray’s four children, but the world No. 7 was left stumped.

“Oh my god. Jesus. This is not good. This is not a good start. No I can’t. Oh Andy, I’m embarrassed,” he laughed.

Robson tried to help out. “There’s a Sophia, she’s the oldest. Do you know the name of the boy?” she asked. But Djokovic still had no clue.

He replied: “No. I am so embarrassed right now, I’ve got to work on it.” Robson reeled off the names as Djokovic recited them, trying to burn them in his brain.

“Sophia, Edie, Teddy and Lola,” he repeated. The rest of the quiz went a little better – Djokovic knew that Murray had played in 11 Major finals and that his cheat meal involved chocolate.

But he was stunned to learn who Murray said his favourite athlete was during the recent Paris Olympics. “Favourite athlete? I know he appreciates and loves female athletes a not, so was it a female?” Djokovic asked.

Robson revealed that Murray’s favorite athlete was a male tennis player. When Djokovic incorrectly guessed Nadal, she hinted that the person in question was younger.

“Alcaraz?” Djokovic asked as Robson confirmed he was right. The world No. 7 added: “That’s his favourite athlete? Andy, we have to have a chat after this interview! I do understand, that was before he accepted to work with me.”

As he left the interview, the 24-time Grand Slam champion was still in disbelief over not knowing the names of Murray’s children.

“Oh my god, I don’t know the names of his children,” he muttered, before reciting them with Robson again.