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.
