'Maybe he felt like he needed another trigger': Jim Courier shares thoughts about possible impact on Novak Djokovic of ending partnership with Andy Murray

Former world number one Jim Courier has expressed his views about the partnerships that ended between Serbia’s Novak Djokovic and Britain’s Andy Murray. The two former world number ones' unique partnership ended just after six months.

Many were surprised by Murray's decision to start such a unique partnership. Murray, a former world number one who retired from the sport in 2024 after representing his country at the Paris Olympics, decided to join his former rival Djokovic less than six months after retiring from the game.

Their partnership, however, did not last long as on Tuesday, both players took social media to thank each other. "Thank you, coach Andy, for all the hard work, fun and support over last six months on and off the court. Really enjoyed deepening our friendship together," wrote Djokovic in the post. "Thanks to Novak for the unbelievable opportunity to work together and thanks to his team for all their hard work over the past six months. I wish Novak all the best for the rest of the season,” Murray responded.

Djokovic, who is regarded as the greatest player in the history of men’s tennis in the singles category in the Open era, having won as many as 24 Grand Slam titles, is going through a lean patch according to his high standards. This season, the Belgrade-born star has featured in seven different events but has only managed to get past the semifinals stage on one occasion. Former world number one Courier spoke to Tennis Channel about Djokovic and Murray’s partnership. The 54-year-old was of the opinion that the two getting together was a ‘stunner’ to begin with, but remains unsure about the impact of this on the former world number one, who is already going through a hard time.

"The biggest surprise was that they ever got together in this relationship,” he said. “In the first place, that was certainly the stunner. The end of last year, when it was announced that they were going to work together and my thought, and I think a lot of people's thoughts, were, 'this is good for Novak. It's going to light a fire. It's going to give him something new to think about' In Australia, it was working awfully well when he beat Alcaraz. Unfortunately, he got injured in that match, and we did see him play well again in Miami. And the clay court season hasn't been what either Murray or Novak would've wanted. I don't know what's exactly going on. Where does this leave Novak now? Did he ever really need a coach? No. Did he need motivation? Does this provide a spark now? If you're him you just have to be looking for motivation because it seems like his health is where it needs to be, his tennis is not where he wants it to be. Maybe he felt like he needed another trigger to get ready for this next run of Roland Garros and Wimbledon, when it matters the most."