Behind the scenes: a first look at Djokovic and Murray together on court
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As one of the first to witness the two legendary rivals as player and coach, our correspondent gives his take from their grand slam practice session. During his short time as one of the leading tennis players of his generation, Carlos Alcaraz has methodically built a reputation for his fearlessness and nerve. Even in the face of some of the most accomplished opponents and lofty occasions, the pressure has so often elevated his game to greater heights.
![[Tumaini Carayol]](https://i.guim.co.uk/img/uploads/2022/03/01/Tumaini_Carayol_v2.png?width=75&dpr=1&s=none&crop=none)
On Tuesday afternoon in a near-empty Margaret Court Arena, however, the 21-year-old could have been forgiven for feeling slightly intimidated. Across the net stood not one but two of the greatest tennis players in the history of the sport, two legendary rivals who have joined forces with the obvious goal of holding him and his contemporaries off for as long as they can. For the first time ever, Andy Murray joined Novak Djokovic in a grand slam practice session as the 24-time grand slam champion’s coach.
![[Novak Djokovic and Andy Murray talk at the side of the court]](https://i.guim.co.uk/img/media/ba3a2c2f9d049968b5d4e73e693e8b2d1c489257/0_0_5914_3549/master/5914.jpg?width=445&dpr=1&s=none&crop=none)
This year, the Australian Open has opened up its qualifying week to fans, allowing them to follow the top players’ training sessions and final preparations, as they continue to turn the event into a three-week occasion. At the same time that thousands of fans filled Rod Laver Arena to watch Jannik Sinner sharpen his toolkit against the home favourite Alexei Popyrin in a practice match, Djokovic and Alcaraz, now the two most successful active male tennis players, were tussling directly next door in front of about five people in an arena closed to the public.
