Djokovic / Becker Time Will Tell

Written by: Bob Larson Tennis on 30th December 2013

Mubadala World Tennis Championship in Abu Dhabi

Djokovic / Becker Time Will Tell

epa04002713 Former professional tennis player from Germany Boris Becker (R) watches Novak Djokovic of Serbia during the final match against Spain's David Ferrer at Mubadala World Tennis Championship in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, 28 December 2013. EPA/ALI HAIDER |

Novak Djokovic is intent on winning the upcoming Australian Open for the fourth year in succession and the fifth time since 2008. And with new coach Boris Becker integrated into his team, he is more than content than another unbeaten run at Abu Dhabi’s.

Mubadala World Tennis Championship is sufficient match practice to stage another march to victory at Melbourne Park in two weeks’ time.

The Abu Dhabi/Melbourne scenario worked perfectly as 2011 turned into 2012 and again at the beginning of this soon to end year, albeit with another exhibition stop at Perth’s Hopman Cup. Once again the Serb has opted not to play any ratified ATP World Tour event in the lead up to the year’s opening Grand Slam and is this time heading straight to Melbourne rather than taking the short journey along the Arabian Gulf coast for the Qatar ExxonMobil Open in Doha like his rivals Rafael Nadal and Andy Murray.

Djokovic is more than convinced he has made the correct decision, and as an independent judge Jo-Wilfried Tsonga believes the defending Australian champion is in the best shape to defend his title. The Frenchman, beaten by Djokovic in the 2008 final as the Serb won the first of his four Australian Open titles, played three of the top four in succession at the Mubadala World Tennis Championship and was asked who made the biggest impression. There was little hesitation.

Tsonga also played Murray (winning 7-5, 6-3) and Nadal (losing 7-6, 6-3 in the third-place play-off) but maintained: “I would say Novak. He’s impressive.”

The Abu Dhabi victory, coming with a 7-5, 6-2 win over world no.3 David Ferrer, might not have brought Djokovic any ATP World Tour ranking points in his bid to win back the world no.1 spot from Nadal but it was his fifth title in succession since losing September’s US Open final.

Though there may be plenty of doubters who wonder about the longevity of the Djokovic/Becker partnership, the player is more than happy to have his illustrious German coach aboard.

“I have to say I’m really glad to have Boris on the team,” he said. “It’s great that it started with winning this trophy right here. Hopefully, we can win more.

“Where does it go from here? Good question. We’ll see, ask me in half a year. It’s still too early to say where he is going to take us.”

And there was a feeling of distinct satisfaction as Djokovic left Abu Dhabi with the 900,000 dirhams ($US 245,000) winners’ check. “Well, there’s no real secret or rational explanation,” he said. “It’s just that I feel good here. The people welcome and support me.”

Topics: 10sballs, Abu Dhabi, Andy Murray, Atp World Tour, Australian Open, Boris Becker, David Ferrer, Jo Wilfried Tsonga, Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal, Sports, Tennis, Tennis News