Andy Murray is jetting off to California today (Monday) to join Novak Djokovic at the Indian Wells Masters, with plans to stay in the U.S. for the Miami Open later this month. Murray guided Djokovic at the Australian Open in January, where a leg injury forced the Serb to withdraw from his semi-final against Alexander Zverev.
After a first-round loss at the Qatar Open in February, Djokovic hopes to rediscover his spark at Indian Wells—often dubbed the ‘fifth major’—before tackling the Miami Open, an ATP Masters 1000 event he’s claimed six times.
Murray, a three-time Grand Slam winner, teaming up with ex-rival Djokovic for his first full-time coaching role stunned the tennis world. Post-Australian Open, they assessed their partnership and opted to extend it ‘indefinitely.’
“We spoke the day after I was done,” Djokovic told ATP Tour. “We looked back on our time together and agreed he’d take a breather, talk it over with his family, and decide. I wanted to keep going with him, so I’m thrilled he’s on board. It’s open-ended for now, but we’re set for the U.S. and some clay events. We’ll see where it leads.”
Djokovic, chasing a sixth Indian Wells title, hasn’t won there in nine years. Carlos Alcaraz has ruled the last two, topping Daniil Medvedev in both finals.
Meanwhile, Murray’s compatriot Emma Raducanu returns at Indian Wells after a disturbing incident in Dubai last month, where a man’s ‘fixated behaviour’ left her rattled. Dubai police detained him and issued a restraining order. Now ranked 55th in the WTA, Raducanu secured a direct entry into the women’s draw. Main draw action starts Friday, with Djokovic and Raducanu awaiting their first-round foes.
