Whatever happens in Australia and the rest of 2025, Murray taking the role of Djokovic’s corner man is a unique and somewhat joyful coda to this golden era in the sport

In June 1990, just minutes after his shocking first-round defeat to upset specialist Derrick Rostagno at Wimbledon, a suddenly aging and forlorn John McEnroe sat down with NBC’s Bud Collins, along with rival Jimmy Connors, for an interview. Connors was working for NBC that summer as an analyst while nursing a wrist injury.

It was a rare moment of revealing, subdued reflection from the usually fiery McEnroe. The loquacious New Yorker spoke about his disappointment with himself and his level of play and how difficult it had become to balance family life and a pro tennis career. Connors pointed out that his fellow Irish-American seemed to be lacking direction and was in need of advice on how to proceed.