Andy Murray’s secret retirement party and talks that led to Novak Djokovic role

Andy Murray might have been shocked to receive the call to join Novak Djokovic’s coaching team, but the British hero’s return to tennis didn’t come as a surprise to those who truly know him. The bombshell dropped in November that Murray, who retired in August after bowing out of the Paris Olympics, would be joining the Serbian’s team ahead of the Australian Open in 2025.

It marked only four months since he hung up his racket for the final time to spend some quality time with his family after three Grand Slams, 46 ATP titles and two Olympic gold medals. Ironically, it was at his retirement party that the building blocks began to fit into place for his comeback. Murray hosted an exclusive bash for his family and close friends at his £5million mansion in Surrey, where he resides with his wife Kim and four children, just a week after stepping away from tennis.

With around 30 people attending, including Wimbledon hero Tim Henman, the summer rendezvous offered a chance to weigh up his options for the years ahead. After chatting away with his fellow Brit, Henman said Murray felt comfortable with his decision to call time on his playing career.

“He had a sort of a retirement bash for about 30 people at his house with Kim and his family,” Henman told Express Sport. “He was in great form there and I think he appreciates that this is absolutely the right time for him to stop.” What became clear after his star-studded mixer was that Murray unknowingly began to write the next chapter of his distinguished career. He almost tricked fans into thinking he was mounting a potential venture into golf after playing at a Pro-Am event with his Scottish golfer pal Robert McIntyre.

He also enjoyed taking his clubs out onto the golf course in a more leisurely capacity with fellow retirees Gareth Bale and Kevin Pietersen, who like Murray had achieved so much in their respective sports, football and cricket.
Being in and amongst such esteemed company might well have convinced Murray that his time in tennis wasn’t over just yet.

The Scot found himself itching to get back on the court and, while he had put his playing days firmly behind him, there was nothing to stop him taking the first step into coaching from the sidelines.