Boris Becker thinks Novak Djokovic lost his mojo in his final match of 2023 but has tipped the 24-time Grand Slam champion to rediscover his form at Roland Garros.
The German while talking to a tennis news publisher at a Eurosport and discovery+ ahead of the French Open suggested last November’s Davis Cup defeat against Jannik Sinner hit the his former charge different.
Djokovic served for that match in Malaga but couldn’t lose his nerves which was unusual as he allowed Sinner to storm back in the clash and eventually guide Italy to the Davis Cup glory.
For Sinner that proved to be a watershed moment as the Italian never looked back to become a standout performer in men’s tennis since that match. Djokovic who remained under the tutelage of Boris Becker between 2013 and 2016 lost his way after an uncertain start to 2024, however, the legendary coach is backing the Serbian to silence the critics at the red dirt slam in Paris.
“I think losing the Davis Cup for Serbia hurt him a lot. That took a lot of juice away from him and some of his magic,” said Eurosport tennis commentator and analyst Becker.
“This year he has not been the same. He has never got his best form and every match has been a struggle.
“This is the overriding question, what keeps on driving him as he prepares to join the
“After the year he had last year when he won three out of four Grand Slams, being in the final of all four and then winning the ATP Finals, you ask what is next.
“He got to the semi-finals at the Australian Open and lost to Jannik Sinner and you say, okay he a very good player.
“Then you think he will pick it up. He will win one of Indian Wells and Miami, then he goes into the clay court and again, it didn’t happen.
“Then comes the split with Goran and I see his match in Monte Carlo against (Casper) Ruud and he didn’t look the same old, as he did before.
“He has not lost how to play tennis, of course not, but he is only playing for the majors now and trying to cover the time in between with a few tournaments is tough, but I think he will get his mojo back.
“He is coming back to Roland Garros, where he won last year and it’s always good to go back to somewhere where you have won last year.
“I know he hasn’t won this year, but he has won 24 majors so everyone will see a different Novak Djokovic when the first round starts at Roland Garros, I’m sure about that.”
The 6-time Grand Slam champion questioned the timing of Djokovic’s split with long-time coach Goran Ivanisevic as he suggested the World No. 1’s new coach Nenad Zimonjic may not have the same experience to help the 37-year-old at a Grand Slam event as former staffers.
“I was very surprised about the split with Goran. More importantly, the timing of it in March,” added Becker.
“All good things come to an end and they have had an incredible partnership together. I think they have won 12 Grand Slams.
“But normally you make this kind of change in November, December. So to do this in March was surprising for me.
“Also, the fact that he doesn’t have another big name coach was surprising to me.
“Even Novak needs words of wisdom from time to time. Not every day, but in important moments and usually a Grand Slam is an important moment for him
“So I’m surprised by the situation right now. I know Zimo (Nenad Zimonjic) and he knows a lot about tennis, but Novak has been used to having a guy in his corner like Goran or me who has won Grand Slams. So it’s a different approach you have with a player.
“Novak is a very good friend of mine, so I wish him nothing but the best, but this is a surprising moment in his career.”