Andy Murray has split with Novak Djokovic less than two weeks before the French Open. And the Scottish legend will now be available to coach a British player for the grasscourt season and Wimbledon. The two tennis superstars announced they would work together last year and teamed up at the Australian Open this January.

But Djokovic failed in his latest quest to win his record-breaking 25th Grand Slam singles title after pulling out of his semi-final with a left leg injury. Since Melbourne, the world No.6 has struggled for form and has twice lost three times in a row - the last time in his first match at the Madrid Masters to world No.44 Matteo Arnaldi in straight sets.

This caused Djokovic, who turns 38 next week, to pull out of the Rome Masters - the final event before the clay-court Grand Slam in Paris. And this morning comes the surprise announcement that they two will “no longer be working together”.

Djokovic said: “Thank you, coach Andy, for all the hard work, fun & support over last six months on & off the court, really enjoyed deepening our friendship together.”

Murray said: “Thanks to Novak for the unbelievable opportunity to work together and thanks to his team for all their hard work over the past six months. I wish Novak all the best for the rest of the season.”

The Scot, who turns 38 on Thursday, retired at Wimbledon last year and will be keen to remain in tennis. Emma Raducanu is looking for a permanent coach and his services will be in demand.

Djokovic has not won an ATP Tour-level match on clay this season after losing in the first round of Monte Carlo and Madrid.

Djokovic won his 24th and last Grand Slam singles title at the 2023 US Open title and has since shared the record with Margaret Court. And his 99th and last ATP title came when he won gold at the Paris Olympics but he did not win a regular tour event last year.

The Serbian superstar played fewer events as he tried to peak for Majors but this season added more tournaments to his schedule.

Speaking to Sky Sports before Madrid, Djokovic said: “The priority is obviously trying to take the level of tennis that currently is maybe not where we want it to be to the higher level, so that I can peak at French Open. That's where I really want to play my best tennis, Roland Garros and Wimbledon.”

Djokovic claimed he had enjoyed working with Murray because he understood the pressures of top-class tennis, and he had helped keep him motivated at the end of his career.

“The priority for us is always trying to approach the training session with the right kind of mentality - it's not always easy,” Djokovic added.

“Some days I feel excited and really motivated, some days less. He [Murray] as a coach also has to manage that, which is not always easy.”