MELBOURNE, Australia — Novak Djokovic and Andy Murray have known each other for a quarter of a century. They played from the age of 12, meeting 36 times as professionals, including 10 Grand Slam matches. Yet they've never been able to talk shop and freely trade all sorts of thoughts — about tennis and otherwise — until now.

Andy Murray's unexpected role as Novak Djokovic's coach mirrors a Messi-Ronaldo partnership, turning fierce rivalry into strategic collaboration ahead of the Australian Open, marking a bold new chapter in tennis history.

That is the claim of former US Open champion Daniil Medvedev before the start of the Australian Open. The Scot will help the Serbian superstar as he bids to win his 11th Australian Open title and a record 25th Grand Slam singles.

If the prospect of facing Novak Djokovic in a Grand Slam wasn't difficult enough, adding British tennis great Andy Murray as his head coach only makes it tougher, Daniil Medvedev said on Friday.

Novak Djokovic's former rival-turned-coach Andy Murray does not want the Serbian to suppress his emotions on court and is even willing to be the target of any angry outbursts as long as the 24-times major winner gives his all at the Australian Open.

It will be all business when Andy Murray coaches Novak Djokovic at the Australian Open. While the partnership between two of the biggest rivals in recent men’s tennis history has awakened feelings of shock,

Andy Murray insists that he will be only too happy to face the wrath of Novak Djokovic, should he find himself on the receiving end of a few mouthy outbursts at next week’s Australian Open.

Novak Djokovic opens up about his former rival and new coach Andy Murray’s role at this stage of his career. Latest: The California fires have burned more than 10,000 structures. The blazes could become the state's most costly ever.

Novak Djokovic enlisted a former foe and longtime friend, Andy Murray, to become his new coach starting this year at the Australian Open.This news rocked the tennis world back in November, mostly because the two legends were often considered rivals on the court.