The Australian Open’s new “coaching pods” have continued to raise eyebrows after a conversation between Novak Djokovic and his new coach Andy Murray left fans in disbelief.

As the 24-time grand slam champion and 10-time Australian Open victor was surprisingly taken to four sets by 19-year-old Nishesh Basavareddy before he claimed the opening round win, Djokovic made full use of the new rule brought in for the 2025 Australian Open.

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In the past, players have largely been on their own on court with coaching banned from grand slams until the 2022 US Open.

The remaining three grand slams followed suit the following year.

While there had been plenty of instances of coaching in the past, it was the 2018 US Open women’s final that the conversation really came to a head when Serena Williams was given a code violation for receiving coaching during the match she ultimately lost to Naomi Osaka.

Williams had a meltdown after receiving the violation, doubling down in her post-match press conference, claiming sexism against umpire Carlos Ramos.

But the Australian Open has now taken it to a wild new level with the introduction of the “coaching pods”, allowing coaches to sit in a mini player’s box complete with seats for four members of players’ support staff and screens for live statistical analysis located on the court.

The introduction of coaching pods comes after the ITA (International Tennis Federation) in October announced more relaxed rules surrounding the coaching players are allowed to receive during matches.

Under the new rules, coaches are allowed to communicate with players verbally or via hand signals at any time — except during live points.

While the move hasn’t been universally taken up with several players including Alexander Zverev saying “I hate it”, while defending women’s champion Aryna Sabalenka saying she’s “not a fan”, one player who has made use of the change is Djokovic.

Having hired recently retired three-time grand slam champion Murray ahead of the season’s first grand slam, Djokovic’s team sat courtside.

And while the world had seen the move at the United Cup, it was something else to see Murray and Djokovic chatting during the match.

Djokovic also appeared unwilling to completely lose his cool with his new coach but appeared frustrated at times.

But the pair had a long chat after the Serbian had claimed the third set to take a two sets to one lead in a moment that raised a few eyebrows.

Andy Murray fan and podcast host Scott Barclay tweeted: “Imagine showing this video to someone a year ago and telling them that this is the reality 12 months from now. They’d genuinely think you’d gone mad.”

See the video in the player above.

Earlier, he’d written: “Alright, seeing Novak Djokovic just casually chatting with Andy Murray as his coach court-side between sets is absolutely insane to see. What reality are we all living in where this has happened?!”

Canadian tennis insider Stephen Boughton tweeted: “What world am I living in?

Andy Murray is coaching Novak Djokovic in a courtside box where they are allowed to talk between points. 2010 me would never believe this.”

Even the official ESPN account wrote: “Still needs getting used to.”

While much of the tennis world was getting used to the new look, The Tennis Podcast’s Catherine Whitaker was more angry that the new coaching pods meant the coaches could be more secretive with their coaching.

Instead of yelling out from the coaching box or gesticulating wildly which could lead to someone in the stadium being able to relay what was said for the commentators, Djokovic and Murray had a seemingly polite chat without the tennis world none the wiser about what was said.

“I found it absolutely maddening that we couldn’t hear the exchanges between them,” said The Tennis Podcast’s Catherine Whitaker.

“There was a big one at the end of the third set, which looked absolutely intriguing. Looked like they were having a really in-depth chat about tactics and strategy, and I couldn’t hear a single word of it.

“What is the point of that position if not to gain extra insight into the exchanges between coach and player?”

Co-host David Law called the lack of insight “immensely frustrating”, but said it was clear the pair were still getting used to the new dynamic in their relationship.

“The first hour and 24 minutes of that match, I did not see Andy Murray and Novak Djokovic share two words. And in that period, Djokovic was behind,” Law added.

“And I just got the sense looking at his body language that he doesn’t really know Andy Murray very well.

“They’ve shared the court together for 20 years. They’ve played juniors together.

“And Djokovic is often referred to him as a friend when they were growing up and a rival, from when they were 11 years of age. But they’re kind of strangers still.

“They’re both being polite. And that is not really what you want when you’re out there in the heat of battle, I don’t think. You need to be able to lean on your coach.

“I thought that as the match evolved, they both loosened up. Because you had that conversation at the end of the third set.”

Despite the fact Murray won two of his grand slam titles against Djokovic — although he also lost another five to the Serbian including four at Melbourne Park — the new relationship got off to a shaky start.

With Djokovic uncharacteristically losing the first set to the 19-year-old American, Simon Briggs from London’s The Telegraph wrote: “Well, it was not exactly the dream debut for tennis’s new celebrity double-act. Sir Andy Murray’s first match in the coaching box found him looking on awkwardly as Novak Djokovic struggled to put away the world No. 107.

“After about an hour’s play, when 19-year-old Nishesh Basavareddy had established an unexpected lead, Djokovic looked towards his player box, made a talking sign with his hand, then held out his arms in obvious dissatisfaction.

“The message? One could probably put it in Delia Smith terms: ‘Let’s be ‘avin’ you!’ Or, to be more formal, ‘Please could you provide me with a little more verbal encouragement’.”

After the match, Djokovic was all praise for Murray.

“It was a bit of a strange experience to have him court side in my box,” Djokovic said.

“We played for over 20 years against each other at the highest level. Great to have him on the same side of the net. He gave me great advice mid match.

“It’s good we have an opportunity now to have allowed coaching on the same side. It’s a completely different angle when you’re watching from the side.

“A few times I did approach Andy, asked him something about whatever it was, whatever shot. He was giving me his feedback, his guidance and opinion.

“It’s important. I enjoy talking to Andy. I mean, he knows tennis as well as anybody out there.

“I think he was doing great today. He was standing up several times, trying to encourage me and support me. I enjoyed it.”

Djokovic will next play Portuguese qualifier Jaime Faria in his bid to win one more Slam and surpass Margaret Court’s 24 as the best ever.

Should he go all the way, it will be his 100th career title, just the third man in the Open era to reach the milestone behind Jimmy Connors (109) and Roger Federer (103).

With AFP