Djokovic Hires Becker To Be His Head Coach

Written by: Bob Larson Tennis on 18th December 2013

Boris Becker new coach of Novak Djokovic as media reports

Djokovic Hires Becker To Be His Head Coach

epa03994925 (FILE) A file picture of German tennis legend Boris Becker during the German television show 'Wetten, dass...?' ('Bet, that...') in Augsburg, Germany, 14 December 2013. As media reports 18 December 2013 Becker will join the coaching team of Novak Djokovic of Serbia as new head coach. EPA/SVEN HOPPE |

World no.2 Novak Djokovic, determined to once again unseat Rafael Nadal from the top spot in world tennis, issued unexpected news this morning by declaring Boris Becker would become his head coach in the build up to the Serb’s Australian Open title defence next month.

The 46 year-old London-based German, winner of six Grand Slams, 64 ATP World Tour titles and world no.1 for 12 weeks, would be promoted over the head of Djokovic’s long-term coach Marian Vajda who will stay with the team.

Vajda insisted the appointment of Becker was a mutual decision reached by himself and Djokovic, said: “In a few weeks Novak and I will start the eighth year of our cooperation. During that period we have achieved almost all the goals we had.

“I realized that Novak needed a new head coach in order for him to continue improving certain parts of his game.

At the same time I will have more time for my family.”

Vajda has worked with Djokovic for nearly eight years although in that term there have been several additional coaching appointments such as Mark Woodforde, Todd Martin and this year Wojtek Fibak. All were short lived.

“Becker’s assignment will not affect much my position in the team, since I will do all I can for Novak, just like I did before,” continued Vajda.

“On the other hand, choosing Boris as the head coach is a good solution, I am sure we will get along very well, and that Novak will continue to progress.”

Becker is contracted to work with Djokovic at the Australian Open, the Dubai Duty Free Championships in February, and the Sony Open in Miami a month later. The most curious part of the German’s appointment will come in the European spring when he coaches Djokovic at the Monte Carlo Rolex Masters, the Internazionali BNL d’Italia in Rome, and the French Open at Roland Garros.

Djokovic is insistent his biggest ambition in 2014 is to finally win the French crown but the clay court Grand Slam was the one major title Becker never managed to capture. Thereafter the pair will be together at Wimbledon, the Western and Southern Open in Cincinnati, the US Open, the Shanghai Rolex Masters, the BNP Paribas Masters in Paris and the Barclays ATP World Tour Finals in London (assuming Djokovic qualifies to defend his title).

Becker, who has been working primarily as television analyst and commentator with both the BBC and Sky Sports in the United Kingdom, commented on his new role by saying: “I am proud Novak invited me to become his Head Coach. I will do my best to help him reach his goals, and I am sure we can achieve great things together.”

Vajda, formerly coach to fellow Slovak Karol Kucera, will fulfill the role of main coach at the BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells, Madrid’s Mutua Open, the Rogers Cup in Toronto and Beijing’s China Open.

Djokovic said: “I am really excited to have the opportunity to work with Boris. He is a true legend, someone who has great tennis knowledge and his experience will help me win new trophies from the Grand Slams and other tournaments. Becker is a great person, too, and I am sure he will fit in our team in the best possible way. Boris brings a new fresh approach, and together with Vajda he will make a winning combination.

“My goal for 2014 is to play my best tennis and to get in shape for the Grand Slams and Masters 1000. These tournaments have the most weight in our sport, and I want to prove my worth there. The team is now strengthened and we hope for maximum results.”

Physiotherapist Miljan Amanovic and physical trainer Gebhard Phil-Gritsch will continue with the Djokovic team.

Topics: 10sballs, Atp World Tour, Australian Open, Boris Becker, Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal, Sports, Tennis, Tennis News, Wimbledon