On this day, 12 years ago, Novak Djokovic received his first ever Laureus Sportsman of the Year award, for his accomplishments in 2011 season. Award was presented by Boris Becker, his future coach, on a ceremony held in London. #NoleFam #Djokovic
Boris Becker says Novak Djokovic has 'lost some of his magic' after Davis Cup defeat
ATPFriday, 24 May 2024 at 20:00
Boris
Becker opined that Novak Djokovic lost his rhythm since his last match in the
Davis Cup against Jannik Sinner, but believes the French Open will be the ideal
stage for the 24-time Grand Slam champion to dazzle once again. The German
coach recently commented on Djokovic's form in Tennis365.
Becker,
who coached Djokovic from 2013 to 2016, mentioned that the defeat against
Sinner in Malaga was key, as the world No. 1 seemed to lose his nerves against
the Italian's level and ended up defeated in the Davis Cup semifinals, which he
had targeted as one of his challenges for the year. However, his loss to Sinner
was crucial for Italy to reach the final and then win the title.
The painful defeat in the Davis Cup
The
2023 semifinals pitted Italy against Serbia, led by the two players in the best
form on the Tour, who had played two matches in the ATP Finals a week earlier.
Although Sinner won in the Round Robin, it was Djokovic who triumphed in the
final and took the title.
In the
Davis Cup, Lorenzo Musetti's withdrawal in the first singles match against
Miomir Kecmanovic gave Serbia the advantage, needing only one win to advance.
However, Sinner played the hero, won his match against the world No. 1, and
then Italy claimed victory in the doubles, where both Sinner and Djokovic
played.
“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,” stated Boris Becker. “This year he has
not been the same. He has never got his best form and every match has been a
struggle.”
Novak Djokovic fell in the Geneva Open semifinals against Tallon Griekspoor 4-6, 6-0, 1-6. The Serbian made 27 unforced errors
“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,”
the German former world No. 1 added. “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,” Becker added.
Boris
Becker also commented on Djokovic's chances in the upcoming French Open. The
Serbian has to defend his 2023 title, and the threat of Sinner leaving Roland
Garros as the world No. 1 seems increasingly likely: “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,” Becker said.
“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.”
On the
other hand, Becker was absolutely surprised by Djokovic's split with his
longtime coach Goran Ivanisevic: “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,” Becker claimed. “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.”
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