Google News
The round of 16 of the Mutua Madrid Open will feature one of the 'classics' in tennis history, the match between world number one Novak Djokovic and former number one and Grand Slam champion Andy Murray. Both have a very different recent history, Novak, except for this start of 2022, has been dominating the circuit for years, while the Briton, who has beaten Novak even in very important matches, is no longer what he was.
Murray's career has been conditioned by serious injuries and operations that have slowed his rise and his career in the Slams. In Madrid it will be the 37th match in history between Andy Murray and Novak Djokovic, one of the most beautiful rivalries that have been played.
Murray hadn't won a match on clay in years before this tournament, but is now through to the round of 16 after beating Dominic Thiem and Canadian Denis Shapovalov in the third set. Andy joked after the match in response to those who reminded him of his upcoming challenge against the world number one: "In theory, I have zero chance against him.
He is the best in the world and I play with a metal hip. But it is a great opportunity for me, because I can understand my condition and it will be nice to play against him again, after the various challenges of the past."
Djokovic is a true champion
Marian Vajda recently delved deeper into his split with former ward Novak Djokovic, revealing that the World No.
1 felt it would be better to play Slams with just one coach. "We were together for a long time, he wanted to focus more on Grand Slam tournaments and the team was no longer important in such quantity," Vajda said. "He wanted to reduce it and have only one coach.
He chose Goran IvaniševiÄ. There was no reason for us to be more. However, we have never talked directly about it, I am only based on an analysis of the program that you have prepared for the near future." Upon being further probed about the 34-year-old's chances at Roland Garros, Vajda admitted that the former might find the going tough in Paris as well.
However, he sees Djokovic back in full form for Wimbledon. "I don't know if it's Roland Garros," said the Slovak. "There will be players running and Novak still lacks wrestling experience. It is visible. But he could be ready for Wimbledon. It is his surface, he can use its advantages there."