ANDY MURRAY has provided the much-needed “spark” to Novak Djokovic’s remarkable quest for a record-breaking 25th singles Slam.
That is the opinion of Jim Courier – a former tennis world No1 and two-time Australian Open champion – who has been watching coach Muzza this past fortnight in Melbourne.
Incredible Djokovic, 37, rolled back the years when he eliminated two-time Wimbledon champion Carlos Alcaraz, 21, from the quarter-finals.
Assuming he has recovered fully from that bruising battle, he now faces Alexander Zverev in the semis and if he gets through that – and the German is a serial choker – then it might be world No1 Jannik Sinner in the final.
Beating the top three players in a row and winning a record-extending 11th title in Oz would be an extraordinary achievement, even for someone like the successful Serbian.
Murray, 37, has played an enormous role behind-the-scenes, with his calm demeanour and tactical nous, even though he is typically unwilling to take much credit.
American Courier, 54, is part of the Eurosport tennis commentary team and he told SunSport: “When I walked out for the on-court interviews, I walked right by the player pod where Novak’s team were.
“I saw Andy. I congratulated him and he said, ‘I had very little to do with that.’
“I do think he was being a little bit tongue-in-cheek and probably modest.
“I would say definitely that Andy’s presence in Novak’s camp is inspirational.
“The inspiration came and went with Novak last year. It was crystal clear that he was motivated at Roland Garros, Wimbledon and especially at the Olympics.
“But come the Fall, he was flagging a little bit. At the US Open, he wasn’t as dialled in.
“Well, he certainly seems dialled in here. I think Andy has a lot to do with that.
“I wouldn’t put anything past Novak but I think he knew he needed a spark and Andy has provided some of that spark.
“He will definitely deserve some of the credit, though Novak is the one hitting the balls. He’s going through the toughest draw possible.
“If he is able to pull this off, I’d put this in the same type of cannon as Roger Federer coming back from injury and beating Rafa Nadal in that 2017 final.
“This would be one of his most significant achievements if he wins. One because of the strength of the field and two, because he gets to 25. And that has never been done, in male or female tennis.”
Sinner, the defending champion, takes on American No11 seed Ben Shelton in the other semi-final on Friday with £1.75million on the line for the singles champion on Sunday.
Yet there is a doping trial hanging over the Italian’s run and he will find out later this year if he will serve a lengthy ban as his case is taken to the Court of Arbitration for Sport by the World Anti-Doping Agency.
Watch every moment of the Australian Open live on discovery+ with the men’s semi-finals take place on Friday
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