Novak Djokovic has opened up on his partnership with Andy Murray, admitting it’s “not easy” for the Brit to coach him. Murray joined his old rival’s team during the off-season and is joining him at this week’s Madrid Open, where Djokovic is looking to bounce back from a brutal opening-round defeat in Monte-Carlo.

There have already been plenty of highs and lows in their partnership. Djokovic finished runner-up in Miami and reached the Australian Open semi-final, beating Carlos Alcaraz. But the Serb has also suffered several shock early exits and went on a three-match losing streak earlier this year.

As he prepares to play his first Madrid Open match in three years, Djokovic has explained why Murray’s job can be difficult.

“I think the priority for us is to always try to approach the training session with the right kind of mentality. It’s not always easy,” the three-time former champion told Sky Sports.

“Some days I feel excited and really motivated, some days less. So then he, as a coach, also has to manage that which is not always easy.”

On top of worrying about Djokovic’s motivation levels, Murray still provides plenty of technical and tactical analysis.

The 24-time Grand Slam champion continued: “And then it’s obviously about specific elements in the game, certain shots that are maybe happening in a certain pattern for days or weeks already.

“Or there is also something that kind of appeared in yesterday’s practice, or it comes up in the moment and we address it.

“So it’s really a combination of things, I would say. And as we are coming closer and closer to the first match, obviously we are working on more of the specifics to fine-tune the game, to be ready to play points, match. Not just from the game standpoint but also mentally and emotionally.”

After losing his opening match in Monaco to Alejandro Tabilo, a tournament Murray was absent from, Djokovic came to Madrid early to start practising and adjusting to the conditions in the high altitude.

The Serb is focused on peaking for the French Open, the next Grand Slam tournament of the season, and admittedly has low expectations this fortnight.

“The priority is obviously trying to take the level of tennis that is currently maybe not where we want it to be to the higher level so that I can peak at the French Open,” Djokovic said of his work with Murray.

“That’s really where I want to play my best tennis, Roland Garros and Wimbledon.

“But, of course, we are in Madrid, we came in early, we’re putting in a lot of hours in the court and in the gym trying to perfect the body and the game, and basically every aspect of my game to be a few per cent better than it was in the previous weeks.

“If I can reach that desired level in this tournament, that would be amazing. I don’t have really high expectations and I really hope that I can get through the first hurdle and then we’ll take it from there.”

Djokovic will open his campaign against Italian world No. 44 Matteo Arnaldi. The Serb is competing in Madrid for just the second time in six years. On his last appearance in 2022, he lost to Carlos Alcaraz in the semi-final.