If you think the idea of Novak Djokovic having Andy Murray in his coaching corner might just be a little intimidating for any prospective opponent, then Alex de Minaur can sniff: "Well, that's nothing…"

Because instead of having to face the combined tactical acuity of two former world no.1s, Australia's top player will offer you the tale of how he once had to face a brains trust of four of the greatest players of all-time.

"I was playing Andy (Murray) at the Laver Cup, and was walking over at the change of ends, and glanced over to see who Andy was getting advice from in Team Europe," explains 'Demon'.

It was then he did his double-take.

"He was being coached by Roger (Federer), Rafa (Nadal) and Novak, right!? For me, that was one of the most surreal moments in my life.

"I'm playing Andy Murray, one of the big four, while he's being coached by the other big three - all against me!

"And I'm sitting there, wondering, 'Jeez, how many weaknesses and holes have they picked in my game that they are telling Andy about?'"

He chuckles at the memory but recognises that, actually, the idea of a player of Murray's rare ability and famed tactical acumen, helping teach an old 'GOAT' new tricks could be a masterstroke for Djokovic as he seeks to land a world record grand slam No.25 in Melbourne.

"The Andy and Novak news was a complete shock to the whole tennis world. It was pretty crazy to see," says de Minaur.

"I can only imagine how that dynamic is going to go, but it's going to be fun to watch."

He sees the link-up as being another part of Djokovic's ceaseless quest to find those marginal gains that can help him keep mixing it with the soaring Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz - 14 and 16 years his junior, respectively.

"To see someone like Novak still adapting and evolving as a tennis player throughout his whole career when he has, in fact, won everything, is incredible," shrugs de Minaur.

"He has all the career records, and the exact reason why he's got all those records is because he's constantly been adapting.

"He's dealt with the Rogers, the Rafas, the Andys and now he's still tweaking areas of his game to compete against the younger generation."

To that end, Murray could represent a weapon, reckons Thanasi Kokkinakis, who admits that if he were to have any past or present great in his coaching corner, it would have to be a toss-up between Murray and Lleyton Hewitt.

"I think Andy would be a real good coach and I feel like he and Novak would be really good as a team," says Kokkinakis.

"They're guys who would use every part to win matches and really think about how to break the opponents down a little bit tactically.

"I don't know how Djokovic gets any better, but I think there's not a whole lot of people that can tell Novak anything because he's been there and done it all and will probably go down as, if not the best ever, then definitely one of the best.

"But if someone could tell him anything, maybe it's Andy who played against him and beat him (11 times).

"So I'm sure Andy knows some things that he probably thinks could help, and he will do a good job, for sure."

Hopefully, not too good a job, though, as Djokovic keeps tormenting the youngsters.

"It's annoying," smiles de Minaur ruefully. "Because we gotta still find ways to try to take him down."

Djokovic will be in action at the Brisbane International where he will also partner Nick Kyrgios in the doubles.