Doubts Arise As Becker As Coach, Is His Ego And Entourage Bigger Than Novaks

Written by: Bob Larson Tennis on 23rd December 2013

Promotion of the ABN AMRO Tennis Tournament in Rotterdam

Doubts Arise As Becker As Coach, Is His Ego And Entourage Bigger Than Novaks

epa03575611 Former German tennis player Boris Becker attends a promotion event of the ABN AMRO Tennis Tournament in Rotterdam, Netherlands, 09 February 2013. The tournament will take place from 11 until 17 February. EPA/KOEN VAN WEEL |

If anyone doubted Boris Becker’s level of commitment in his new role of head coach to Novak Djokovic, the news six times Grand Slam champion has resigned from his prominent role with BBC TV’s tennis commentary team in Britain should serve as confirmation.

London-based Becker, aged 46, has worked with the BBC alongside former Wimbledon champions John McEnroe and Pat Cash, and Britain’s own Tim Henman and John Lloyd since 2002. However now he insists a media role would conflict with his position as Djokovic’s mentor.

“I can’t analyze games on television and then the next day be a coach,” said Becker who was also a member of the rival Sky Sports commentary team that covered the US Open and Barclays ATP World Tour Finals at the London 02 Arena.

Speaking to the German newspaper Bild, Becker continued: “At this level, it is the small things which will decide whether you win the tournament or come second.”

And Becker maintained he had the full backing of his second wife Lily in his new job. She and young son Amadeus will join him on the road at certain tournaments. “Without Lilly’s support I wouldn’t have taken this job on,” said Becker.

However commentary box colleague Pat Cash is dubious whether the Becker/Djokovic partnership will work. “Surprise, amazement, initial disbelief — these were probably the best words to describe my thoughts when I heard my old nemesis Boris Becker had been appointed head coach to Novak Djokovic,” wrote Cash in his Sunday Times column.

“I’ve tried to get my head round the reasoning. Yet although I believe somebody like Novak who has already won six Grand Slam titles probably couldn’t find a better person to teach him the finer points of volleying, the thought keeps coming back to me: this is a strange match.”

Cash continued: “Coaching can be a demanding job. After several operations Becker is no longer physically fit enough to do daily hard work on the court with somebody in such great shape as Djokovic. Does he really believe he’s going to be there for the long haul, spending something in excess of 25 weeks a year away from his London home, forgoing the many things he already has in his life?

“He loves a holiday, he savors a good meal in an expensive restaurant, he appreciates a fine bottle of wine and a cigar. Is he prepared to make the sacrifices necessary, knowing he might have to be on the practice court at 8am or even earlier the next morning?

“As long as I’ve known Becker, even before he became that wonder kid who dived, volleyed and powered his way to becoming the youngest Wimbledon men’s singles champion at the age of 17, he has done things on his own terms. That was the way when he was at the top. He truly was a great champion, who introduced an entirely new aspect to the men’s game and merited far more than the 12 weeks he spent as world No 1. I regard him as the best overall player I have faced. He was cocky, confident and the hero to a nation.

Can he put all that aside and be a coach? It’s a role he has never attempted. I recall, with an ironic grin, the time at the annual Albert Hall legends tournament when he demanded for himself alone the locker room normally shared by several players. And the countless times he hasn’t shown up for scheduled legends events, throwing organizers into disarray.”

Topics: 10sballs.com, Barclays ATP World Tour Finals, BBC TV, Boris Becker, Grand Slam, John Lloyd, John Mcenroe, Novak Djokovic, Pat Cash, Sky Sports, Tennis, Tennis News, Tim Henman, US Open, Wimbledon