Djokovic and Becker. Two Champions. Two Big Heads. Two Stallers.

Written by: Staff on 5th January 2014

Mubadala World Tennis Championship in Abu Dhabi

Djokovic and Becker. Two Champions. Two Big Heads. Two Stallers.

epa04002642 Former professional tennis player from Germany Boris Becker (L-Front row) watches Novak Djokovic of Serbia serving 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 |

Sidenote: 10sballs team agreed with the comments from Stepanek that the Serbs left the Ferrari in the garage…. They needed Novak to play that Saturday for the doubles in the Davis Cup.

Yes, Boris stall was always walking to the chair to get a towel to wipe his forearm. No wristbands for him. A big stall. Maybe Novak will start bouncing more again?

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.” (Editors note: they always say that , Hogsted said that after the break up with Maria , but now he is out there with Caroline)

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. We wonder , Does this mean Novak will bring Dusan Vemic back into the picture ? Dusan left the team after Cincy last summer. He was the glue that held the group together. He and Novak share a special bond that has always been evident. Even at the last Davis Cup loss.

Topics: 10sballs.com, Atp, Atp World Tour, Australian Open, Boris Becker, French Open, Grand Slam, Marian Vajda, Mark Woodford, Novak Djokovic, Radek Stepanek, Tennis, Tennis News, Todd Martin, Wojtek Fibak