Boris Becker suggests his former charge Novak Djokovic’s holds the stealth ability to “divide up his forces” in order to play the biggest tournaments in top form.
The German also believes that the 24-time Slam champion’s love for representing his country is what makes him exclusive among others. Becker who coached Djokovic between 2014 and 2016 guided him to won 6 majors and 14 Masters 1000 titles.
The Serb won a 24th Grand slam title earlier in September when he beat Medvedev in straight sets to settle the score of 2021 Final loss at the same venue in Flushing Meadows. Djokovic is now two clear of Rafael Nadal and has four more majors than former rival Roger Federer as he looks to extend the big title race.
The 36-year-old won three of the four major titles this year after earlier securing Australian Open and Roland Garros. He lost to Carlos Alcaraz in the final of Wimbledon and the All England Club in July – his first loss at the grass major since 2016 – marking his first loss at SW19 center court since 2013.
The world No. 1is set to make return to the action after taking a month away at Paris Masters next week. After sealing the US Open crown, Djokovic competed against Alejandro Davidovich Fokina in the Davis Cup group stage in Malaga to earn Serbia a win at the team event and help them progress to the quarterfinals. Serbia will face Great Britain in the quarters next month.
Talking on Eurosport Germany’s Das Gelbe vom Ball podcast, Becker lauded Djokovic’s craft of peaking at the right time i.e., during majors and his love to represent the motherland.
“Novak Djokovic’s secret recipe [is that he], now at 36 years old, divides up his forces, bundles them up, and plays in the important tournaments, which are the Grand Slams, in top shape. Afterwards he usually makes a radical cut,” declared the former world No 1.
“Novak then played the Davis Cup and qualified for the final tournament of the best eight with Serbia. He is a proud Serb. He always was. Novak always enjoyed representing his country. That speaks for his attitude, his love for his fatherland, that’s what sets him apart.”
6-time Grand Slam champion Becker last week revealed that he has joined forces with Holger Rune, after a week of provisional coaching work. The ATP #6 seed is competing at the Basel Open this week where he will face Martin Etcheverry in the final 8. The 20-year-old currently sits at the eighth and final slot in the year-end ATP Finals race to Turin that get underway next month.
Before entering the Swiss Indoors, the Dane expressed his hopes to get the useful tutelage from the 55-year-old German great.
“It would be good to steal a bit from what they did. They got so many things right. Boris did well as a coach of Djokovic and as a player. I’m excited to hear what he has to say,” said Rune.
“Boris is teaching me things that are basic but important. It’s gonna be nice, you’ll see. I hope he can give me as much advice as possible and help me to do better.”