Murray coaching Djokovic has surprised Laura Robson, with the pair having gone from rivals to partners after the Scot retired earlier this year.

First, however, the Serbian is partnering with another former rival in Nick Kyrgios, with the duo set to play doubles at the Brisbane International.

Both players are then set to take on the Australian Open, which will get underway in Melbourne in mid-January.

Chris Eubanks names Grigor Dimitrov as Australian Open dark horse

Their fellow ATP Tour star Eubanks has now made a big prediction for the first Grand Slam of 2025, having been asked on Tennis Channel for his dark horse to win the Australian Open.

“I’m going Gregor Dimitrov,” said Eubanks. “He is going to be my dark horse, he’s played some phenomenal tennis last year, especially on the hard courts.

“We’ve seen, granted not the career-high ranking that he’s achieved earlier in his career when he got up to number three in the world, but I think the level that he played at last year is a little bit higher.

READ MORE: Grigor Dimitrov’s coach tells the game plan that he has to try and beat Jannik Sinner

“He’s moving into the forecourt area, played a phenomenal match in Miami against [Carlos] Alcaraz, in which he kind of showcased what the variety can do to offset some of the best players in the world.

“He’s currently in his off-season training, doing a lot of training with Jannk Sinner, and to me that’s also a big point.

“If he’s practising with the best player in the world on a day-in, day-out basis for a week or two, I think the rest of the competition is going to be a little bit weary of Dimitrov coming in.”

Chris Eubanks and Jason Goodall clash over Novak Djokovic claim

Former player Jason Goodall then shared his dark horse prediction, which certainly didn’t go down well with Eubanks.

“Compelling argument, but he’s got zero chance,” Goodall said of world number 10 Dimitrov. “Great player, love him, very stylish individual.

“He hates me, I’m not going to get any Christmas cards from Grigor, but I just don’t think he has what it takes upstairs.

“He’s talked about getting really anxious over the course of the last couple of seasons as well. In the big matches, he gets very, very nervous. There’s no way he can bring it when it really matters at the tail end of a major.

READ MORE: The time Novak Djokovic suffered his heaviest ever Grand Slam defeat at the Australian Open when he won just three games

“If you’re talking about dark horses, players that have the opportunity to win, it’s going to sound ridiculous, but I’m taking Novak. I’m telling you, if there’s a chance of him winning, it’s going to be in Melbourne.”

A bemused Eubanks responded: “Dark horse?” with Goodall replying: “Below Novak, then [Alexander] Zverev, he’s played well there last year.”

Eubanks interjected: “Give me a dark horse!” with Goodall responding: “That’s the next category. We’re talking about guys that could win it… they’ve been so dominant in the men’s game.

“Dimitrov has no chance of winning the Aussie Open! Okay? So we’re talking about players other than Sinner and Alcaraz that would win that title, and that’s a short list.

“Even if you get down to Taylor Fritz you’re saying okay it’s a bit of a long shot. But those are great players.

READ MORE: Tim Henman says why he wants Novak Djokovic to ‘struggle’ at the 2025 Australian Open

“They’ve been so dominant at the highest levels of the game, splitting the majors last season, that there are so few players that can win, hence my argument.”

Baffled, Eubanks noted: “When picking a dark horse, you’re supposed to ruffle some feathers, you’re supposed to sit there and have people go huh, that’s a bit of a risky call. But go right ahead with Novak.”

Goodall then asked: “How was Novak’s season last year?” with Eubanks simply responding: “Made history.”

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