As Andy Murray steps in to coach Novak Djokovic, Gilles Cervara – coach to one of the Serbian’s rivals, Daniil Medvedev– expresses doubts about the Brit’s capabilities for the role. Having hung his racket up after the 2024 Paris Olympic Games, the door was left open where Murray’s future was concerned, and it hasn’t taken long for him to bite at an opportunity.

Djokovic, who has previously been coached by tennis heavyweights Goran Ivanisevic and Boris Becker, has taken a punt on the reportedly in-demand Murray as he looks to claim another major title, his career dwindling.

Yet Cervera, coach of Medvedev – who has played the Serbian star 15 times in total, losing 10 but besting him in the 2021 US Open final – revealed he isn’t surprised Murray is back in the game so soon but expressed doubts over whether the two-time Wimbledon winner is cut out to coach at the top.

“Knowing Murray, I’m not surprised by what’s happened,” Cervara told L’Equipe. “Because I knew he wouldn’t be able to sit still for more than two or three months after his retirement.”

After a career that saw him collect three Grand Slam titles, and the hearts of British tennis fans, Murray called it quits in Paris, his final match a doubles loss alongside Dan Evans.

“Andy knows nothing about coaching,” Cervera harshly added. “He doesn’t have what you might call a coaching methodology, so he’s going to learn as he goes along.”

However, Cervera’s critique has foundations. He went on to reveal that he feels Murray will act more like an advisor than a coach, as Djokovic already has enough faith in his ability.

“That’s not why Novak wants to work with him,” Cervera admitted. “As far as the coaching is concerned, either Novak knows himself so well that he doesn’t need anyone else, or he’ll ask the rest of his team for help.

“Because, you always need someone to take you to areas where you wouldn’t go on your own and where training methods allow you to explore.

“Anything is possible between the two. I imagine that this collaboration will bring things to Djokovic. After that, there’s a physical and energetic reality, in the scheme of things, which means that it’s going to be tough for him, and also for some people against him!”