Novak Djokovic says his decision to appoint former rival Andy Murray as his coach was "a surprise to everyone" but is "exciting for tennis".

Novak Djokovic described his decision to team up with recently retired rival Andy Murray as a surprise to everyone but said he could not be more excited by the prospect of the two former world number ones working together.

Djokovic admitted that his phone call with Murray caught the Scot "a little off guard" but stressed that the pair "connected really fast". The 37-year-old is said to have only taken a few days to agree to the role, less than four months after retiring at the Paris Olympics.

Novak Djokovic has taken on Andy Murray as his coach for the Australian Open. It makes sense to put half of the original Big Four in men's tennis together again.

The American said the Scot said 'no' to offers from many tennis players - women and men - in order to work with the Serbian champion

Earlier this week, Qatar Airways announced Novak Djokovic as its latest Global Brand Ambassador. Shortly after the announcement, Djokovic was spotted attending official events ahead of this weekend's Qatar Grand Prix.

Murray will coach his long-time rival at the Australian Open in January after the pair announced a surprise alliance

Novak Djokovic said shared experiences with Andy Murray make the Scot the "perfect coach" as he bids to win a record 25th Grand Slam in Australia in January. I still have motivation to win Grand Slams,

Novak Djokovic believes that Andy Murray’s experiences and similar mindset made him the perfect profile for his new coach. Djokovic stunned the tennis world last weekend when he appointed Murray as his new full-time coach just four months after the Scotsman hung up his racquets.