Andy Murray has dismissed the latest Djokovic split with Murray coach pay claim, calling a report that he earned $100,000 a week for working with Novak Djokovic “top 5” lies. The rebuttal landed on Instagram after the short 2025 partnership was put under the microscope again.
Frédéric Verdier said Murray gave Djokovic 10 weeks at $100,000 a week, putting the total at $1 million. Murray answered on the Instagram account Tennis Forever with, “I’ve read a few lies over the years but this is for sure top 5” alongside several laughing emojis.
Australian Open Start
Djokovic and Murray worked together during the 2025 season after Murray retired a year earlier, with the partnership starting at the Australian Open. Djokovic reached the semi-final there, then went on to reach the final at Indian Wells while still with Murray.
The pair did not win a title together. Their split came in May 2025, and Djokovic won his first ATP title of the season in Geneva immediately after that. He also reached a semi-final at Roland Garros after the breakup.
Verdier’s $1 Million Claim
Verdier’s version of the story was blunt. Speaking to We Love Tennis, he said: “I know Murray’s rates; they’re monstrous” and “He gave Djokovic 10 weeks at $100,000 a week. So that’s 10 weeks for $1 million. But, in any case, the kid doesn’t travel for less than $1 million. Did he make an effort? Are you kidding me? He doesn’t give a damn.”
That claim is the part Murray rejected publicly. The argument now sits between the reported fee, the short length of the partnership and the results that followed: a semi-final at the Australian Open, a final at Indian Wells, then Djokovic’s title in Geneva after the split.
Draper Move Before Wimbledon
Murray has already moved on to coach Jack Draper for the grass court season. Their partnership is set to begin at the Eastbourne Open, where Draper starts against Marcos Giron, before they head to Wimbledon.
That run gives Murray an immediate second act on grass, and it starts before Wimbledon in. Draper has never got past the second round there, while Murray won the tournament in 2013 and 2016. His 2013 title ended a 77-year wait for a British men’s singles winner, with Fred Perry last doing it in 1936.
