Jessica Pegula, commonly known as one of the wealthiest figures in the tennis world, has hinted that Andy Murray might have taken on the role of Novak Djokovic’s coach out of sheer curiosity. Just a few months after retiring in the summer of 2024, Murray surprised the tennis community by announcing his decision to step into coaching for the 24-time Grand Slam champion.

The duo collaborated before the Australian Open, where Djokovic reached the semi-finals before withdrawing due to injury. In May, it was revealed that their partnership had ended by mutual agreement, only six months after they joined forces.

During an episode of The Players Box podcast with Jennifer Brady, Desirae Krawczyk, and Madison Keys, Pegula, with a net worth close to £15 million and an expected inheritance of £5.5 billion, suggested that Murray might have embraced the chance to gain insights into Djokovic’s mindset.

Pegula stated, “I believe he was very intrigued. He probably thought, ‘This is so bizarre, I’m so curious. Why do you want me to coach you, but I’m also fascinated by how your mind works on the court’. I witnessed their interactions.”

Keys also found the partnership unusual, supporting Pegula’s views that Murray may have wanted to understand what makes Djokovic a formidable opponent.

Reflecting on their split, Murray and Djokovic have shared their perspectives. Murray, in an interview with The Times in June, disclosed that he saw coaching Djokovic as a unique opportunity that he decided to explore despite initially enjoying his time at home.

Djokovic, on his part, discussed their separation, mentioning that they both felt they had reached the limit of what they could achieve together on the court. He expressed gratitude for the learning experiences he had with Murray and emphasized the valuable insights the former champion brings to the game.