5 coaches Novak Djokovic can hire after shock split with Andy Murray

Novak Djokovic made a surprising announcement on Tuesday (May 13), revealing that he and Andy Murray have ended their coaching partnership. The split came as a shock, especially since the two had only joined forces six months ago.

Neither Djokovic nor Murray has revealed the reason behind their split, but the timing couldn’t be more critical for the Serb. He’s been struggling with form this season, suffering early-round exits, with the French Open around the corner and Wimbledon not far behind.

Hence, the 24-time Grand Slam champion might not want to take any chances by coaching himself during such a crucial stretch. Instead, he could consider bringing someone new on board.

With that in mind, here are five coaches Novak Djokovic could potentially hire right now:

Coaches Novak Djokovic can hire ahead of French Open

#5 Rick Macci

Rick Macci | Image Source: Getty

Rick Macci could be a smart pick for Novak Djokovic. A veteran in the tennis world, Macci has worked with legends like Serena and Venus Williams, Maria Sharapova, Andy Roddick, and Jennifer Capriati, among others.

Macci is also highly active on X (formerly Twitter), where he regularly analyzes current players and offers tactical insights. He’s spoken about Djokovic before, backing him to win more Slams. With that belief and experience, he could bring both strategy and motivation to the Serb's corner.

#4 Rennae Stubbs

Rennae Stubbs pictured with the legendary Serena Williams at the 1011 US Open | Image Source: Getty

Rennae Stubbs could be another compelling option for Novak Djokovic. A former doubles World No. 1 with four Grand Slam titles to her name, she’s worked with some big names, including Karolina Pliskova, Samantha Stosur, and Eugenie Bouchard. But her most high-profile stint came in 2022, when she coached Serena Williams during her farewell run at the US Open.

The Aussie has also made it clear that she’s open to new coaching opportunities. Back in February, when asked whether she’d consider coaching Emma Raducanu, she said she wouldn’t turn down the chance to work with a Grand Slam champion.

“I would consider it, of course. I would never say no to an opportunity of working with a Grand Slam champion," she said during an episode of 'The Rennae Stubbs Tennis Podcast.'

Djokovic began his tennis journey with a female coach, Jelena Gencic, who discovered his talent at the age of six. Ending his career with a female coach would be a poetic full circle.

#3 Brad Gilbert

Brad Gilbert pictured with Coco Gauff at the 2024 French Open | Image Source: Getty

Brad Gilbert has long been a go-to name when it comes to top-tier tennis coaching. He first made waves when he teamed up with Andre Agassi, helping the American win six of his eight Grand Slam titles. He later played a key role in Andy Roddick’s career, guiding him to his only Slam win at the 2003 US Open.

Fast forward to 2023, and Gilbert was back in the spotlight, this time in Coco Gauff’s corner during her dream run to the crown at Flushing Meadows. However, after a year together, he parted ways with the young American.

The 63-year-old is currently available and could be a strong fit for Djokovic. His coaching philosophy leans on motivation and match strategy over technical tweaks, something that could suit a player of the Serb's caliber, who doesn't need to reinvent his game but sharpen his edge.

#2 Carlos Moya

Rafael Nadal and Carlos Moya | Image Source: Getty

Carlos Moya is a former Grand Slam champion and World No. 1, and shares a history with Novak Djokovic, as their careers overlapped for several years. Having coached Rafael Nadal to multiple Grand Slam victories, he also has plenty of coaching experience.

Moya took over as head coach of Nadal when the Spaniard’s uncle Toni left in 2017. He played a crucial role in the team that secured eight Grand Slams, staying by Nadal’s side until the legend’s retirement in 2024.

Bringing Moya on board could be a game-changer for Djokovic. After years of studying the Serb's game closely, he is already familiar with his strengths and weaknesses, which would make the transition seamless.

#1 Boris Becker

Novak Djokovic and Boris Becker pictured together in 2016 | Image Source: Getty

Boris Becker is a name Novak Djokovic knows well, having worked together in the past. Becker joined Djokovic's team in 2013, and their partnership lasted until 2016, securing six Majors and 14 ATP Masters 1000 titles.

Although Djokovic and Becker parted ways on good terms, reuniting could be a smooth transition since they’ve already worked together successfully. At this stage of his career, the Serb might prefer a familiar face over experimenting with someone new.

Becker has expressed interest in coaching again, recently hinting at potentially working with Alexander Zverev. But if his former protege calls, there's a good chance he would choose him over Zverev.