Over the years we have become accustomed to strong coaching teams that have helped the greatest players in the world. The partnership of Novak Djokovic and Boris Becker is no different, but have we seen the best of this coalition?
Becker decided to join the Djokovic coaching set up in December 2013. With Becker’s assistance and guidance he has helped Djokovic in one of the most dominant periods of any career. Djokovic has won six Grand Slam singles titles and 25 of his 66 career titles while aligned with one of the greats of the game.
Are we seeing the conclusion of one of tennis’ greatest partnerships to date?
Since that historic win at Roland Garros, where he completed the career Grand Slam by holding all four at the same time, Djokovic has slumped in results by his standards. The Serbian won a Masters title in Canada, made the quarter-finals in Paris, semi-finals in Shanghai and finished runner-up to Andy Murray in London. By most player’s standards that is a very promising return – but Djokovic is not most players.
The most pleasing thing to watch about the Djokovic and Becker partnership was that the Serbian could often win tennis matches without playing his best tennis. In recent months, Djokovic has struggled to find that winning formula and solution when he is not waving his tennis wand with majestic backhand winners. Is this down to a coaching set up that has effectively turned stale?
Becker has brought a lot of undeniably positive benefits to Djokovic’s game. Many wondered how Becker could improve the game of someone that has achieved so much and lived an embarrassment of riches like Djokovic has since his ascension to the higher echelons of the Men’s game – but Becker has delivered on a number of counts. In tennis it is often overplayed how a coach restructures a particular shot and adjusts a serve, but Becker has helped Djokovic most in the mental aspect of the game of tennis. Becker has provided that mental edge that all top players search for. The German has been there and done it and that is exactly why Djokovic picked Becker to be that man to assist him in his search for legendary status in this sport.
Has the mental edge that Becker gave Djokovic suddenly drifted away?
Now that Djokovic seemingly has lost his grip on the world #1 ranking and lost one of the biggest matches of his career in the final of the World Tour Finals – is it safe to say that the mental edge that Becker had given him has suddenly drifted away?
Djokovic historically has held the mental edge over all of his closest rivals because of the physical requirements it takes to get the victory against him. The loss to Murray to some people could look like a regular defeat, but the significance that loss has psychologically could prove even more pivotal in the months to come. With Becker seemingly not delivering that mental superiority that has benefited Djokovic so much – what purpose does Becker have in the following months?
Despite Djokovic’s imperious form dwindling in the months gone by, it can be argued that that fault does not lie solely with Becker. Injuries have set the Serbian back for long portions of the season, which can also be levelled as one of the reasons for his standards dropping considerably.
The now world #2 had just achieved a goal in winning Roland Garros that he had been gunning for for a number of years. A slip up in form, results and commitment can be seen as ‘normal.’ Sometimes people lose their perspective. Djokovic is human just like you and I. Every professional athlete has their low moments during a decorated and memorable career and Djokovic is no exception to that pattern.
Is there anyone to replace Becker?
The next conundrum that will arise is whether Djokovic wants a new voice, a fresh opinion and someone to provide a different outlook in their approach to tennis. Becker’s career accomplishments and coaching record speaks for itself, but every coaching partnership runs it’s course after a sustained period of time. Perhaps Djokovic wants to take that next step into the latter stages of his career with a new face. The problem is that those faces, like Becker, come around very rarely. Not every coach is a Grand Slam champion that know the ins and outs of the game of tennis and not every Grand Slam champion is available to coach even the best of players like Djokovic.
Becker will still feel he has a lot to offer, but whether Djokovic pulls the plug on such a successful combination remains to be seen.
Main Photo:
