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.

MELBOURNE - Novak Djokovic has been pleasantly surprised by the professionalism of new coach Andy Murray in the leadup to the Australian Open but said sharing his deepest thoughts with his former rival had initially been a challenge.

Novak Djokovic alleged in a lengthy GQ interview that he was “poisoned” by lead and mercury in his food while he was briefly held in Melbourne in 2022.

Novak Djokovic failed to deliver a convincing answer to Zheng Qinwen when asked about Andy Murray and the Briton made sure to let the Serb hear it. On Thursday, the record 24-time Grand Slam champion teamed up with the Chinese tennis star for a charity mixed doubles match versus the newly retired Briton and Victoria Azarenka.

MELBOURNE - Novak Djokovic has been pleasantly surprised by the professionalism of new coach Andy Murray in the leadup to the Australian Open but said sharing his deepest thoughts with his former rival had initially been a challenge.

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.

Defending champion Jannik Sinner and 10-time Australian Open winner Novak Djokovic have landed in opposite sides of the draw for the season's first major, with Carlos Alcaraz in the same quarter as Djokovic.