Andy Murray throws Novak Djokovic shade in Instagram comments

Legitimate shade? Looks like it…

Andy Murray popped up in the comments of a TennisTV Instagram video revisiting the 2014 Shanghai Rolex Masters final between Novak Djokovic and Roger Federer, in which a shot from the former hit the latter at net.

Answering the question posed in the caption, Murray brought receipts.

“Totally legitimate play. Great shot,” opens the former world No. 1 before adding, “However when Rafa clocked him in Canada and Norrie in Rome he reacted like ‘How dare you?’”

Murray first refers back to a 2013 clash between Djokovic and Rafael Nadal in Montréal, where Djokovic appears to reject Nadal’s apology for striking him with a passing shot at net:

The three-time Grand Slam champion’s second example is more recent, one that kicked up its own debate following Djokovic’s Internazionali BNL d’Italia encounter with Cameron Norrie.

“Maybe you could say he didn’t hit me deliberately,” Djokovic said after knocking out Norrie in straight sets, taking further issue with a medical time out and generally amped on-court demeanor from the Brit. “I don’t know if he saw me. I mean … you can always see where the player is positioned on the court.

“He was doing all the things that we’re allowed. He’s allowed to take a medical timeout. He’s allowed to hit a player. He’s allowed to say ‘come on’ in the face more or less every single point from basically first game. Those are the things that we players know in the locker room it’s not fair play, it’s not how we treat each other. But, again, it’s allowed.”

At the US Open earlier this month, Djokovic tied the all-time Grand Slam record hitherto held only by Margaret Court, winning a 24th major victory and fourth title in Flushing Meadows.

Murray and Djokovic have effectively grown up together on tour, famously teaming up for a 2006 Australian Open doubles campaign as teenagers. The two went on to contest seven Grand Slam finals, with Djokovic winning five to Murray’s two. They were even practicing together ahead of the Wimbledon Championships back in July.

But after this surprising “shots fired!” moment, where might Djokovic and Murray be aiming the next time they face off on the tennis court: for the lines or each other?