Equally so, when they split earlier this month, that excitement was replaced by sadness, that these two legendary figures and great rivals could not make history together.
It did feel inevitable, given the 38-year-old had been struggling throughout 2024, but few can argue with the results since.
After all, Novak Djokovic’s first tournament after their split saw him win the Geneva Open, his 100th title.
Reunited at Rafael Nadal’s tribute ceremony at the French Open on Sunday, the day could not pass by without a few jokes on that matter from Andy Murray.
Andy Murray on Novak Djokovic’s new coach
Speaking ahead of his Roland Garros campaign, which gets underway today, naturally much of the focus remained on Nadal’s ceremony.
After all, it will be hard for anything to top the emotion and history of that afternoon, honouring the greatest player in the tournament’s history.
However, it was actually Murray who Djokovic sought to tell one story about, relaying a conversation they shared whilst at the event: ‘We joked around a little bit about his dress code yesterday because I never saw him dress up well and so we kind of joked around, talked a little bit about golf, family of course. Also had time to speak to him and Roger about reflecting on some of the nice memories we had and rivalries, playing Nadal here at Roland Garros. That was quite special.
‘In terms of the joke about the tournament, yeah he did congratulate me. He told me yesterday that now I have a proper coach it’s great, I’m winning titles again. I didn’t take that as a joke [laughs].
‘Of course, he was joking but I think I’ve said enough, I’ll say it again: Andy’s just an amazing person, someone that I have spent most of my career with since a very young age on the tour, travelling, playing him in the earliest days.
‘For him to join my team and for us to give a shot to this player-coach relationship was really an incredible thing, for tennis and for both of us. I was very privileged and honoured.’
Novak Djokovic seeking ultimate glory at Roland Garros
Fresh from creating history in Geneva, Djokovic will be hungry for more.
After all, it really feels like the extension of his career, especially after winning Olympic gold, centres around snagging that coveted 25th Grand Slam title.
Once he has that, the Serbian will have officially completed tennis.
But, as he ages and his body becomes less robust, those chances are slimming. Tim Henman rated Djokovic’s chances of winning Roland Garros, and was not too confident.
He currently remains tied with Margaret Court for the most major titles ever won, and few expected him to push ahead of her with a title at Roland Garros.
However, with a fresh clay-court title under his belt, he should be brimming with confidence and ready to cause a few upsets in the French capital.
