Australian Open 2025: Novak Djokovic ‘grateful’ to coach Andy Murray after defeating Carlos Alcaraz in Melbourne

First a terrible roar was heard. Then a gentle embrace.

Novak Djokovic’s emotions ran high after his Australian Open quarter-final win over Carlos Alcaraz made a mockery of predictions, logic and expectations.

Feeling happy and relieved, Djokovic went straight to his coach Andy Murray and buried his head in the British’s chest.

The biggest success of Murray’s surprise first coaching job was followed by celebrations from rivals to colleagues.

“It was a sign of appreciation and respect for him for the fact that he’s there and he doesn’t need to be,” said Djokovic, 37, who was born a week after Murray in May 1987.

“He accepted to work with me. He is giving his full support to me, the entire team and is trying to make it successful.”

When 24-time major champion Djokovic announced in November that he was hiring the recently retired Murray as his new coach, it felt like a joke.

But for both men there is nothing more serious than winning a tennis match.

Murray has regularly found himself in tense situations during Djokovic’s run at Melbourne Park and is delving into how he can help the seventh seed clinch a record 25th Grand Slam title.

The relief of the Serbian player who crossed the 21-year-old Alcaraz was visible with a heavy sigh of relief.

Then came the moment when Djokovic, who battled an upper left leg injury to beat Spanish third seed Alcaraz, stepped forward to embrace his fist-pumping coach.

“It was a big win for all of us, including Andy and me, for the relationship,” Djokovic said.

“So I went to him because I felt so grateful that he was there.”