DJOKOVIC AND BECKER PART WAYS AFTER THREE SEASONS AND SIX GRAND SLAM TITLES

Written by: Staff on 8th December 2016

Novak Djokovic, Boris Becker part company

DJOKOVIC AND BECKER PART WAYS AFTER THREE SEASONS AND SIX GRAND SLAM TITLES

epa05663142 (FILE) A file picture dated 17 January 2016 shows Novak Djokovic of Serbia (L) and his coach Boris Becker during a practice session of the Australian Open Grand Slam tennis tournament in Melbourne, Australia. Djokovic on 06 December 2016 confirmed he is parting ways with his coach, German tennis legend Boris Becker. |

By Ricky Dimon

Novak Djokovic announced earlier this week that he is no longer working with Boris Becker as one of his coaches. Djokovic hired Becker to join Marian Vajda in December in 2013 and the Serb won six of his 12 Grand Slam titles from January of 2014 through this season.

Boris Becker, coach of Novak Djokovic of Serbia, watches him in action against Dominic Thiem of Austria during their men’s single semi final match at the French Open tennis tournament at Roland Garros in Paris, France, 03 June 2016. ? EPA/CAROLINE BLUMBERG

In wake of the decision, Djokovic wrote the following on Facebook: “After three very successful years, Boris Becker and I have jointly decided to end our cooperation. The goals we set when we started working together have been completely fulfilled, and I want to thank him for the cooperation, teamwork, dedication and commitment. On the other hand, my professional plans are now directed primarily to maintain a good level of play, and also to make a good schedule and new goals for the next season. In this regard I will make all future decisions.”

Becker posted the following on his social media channels: “Thank U ! We had the time of our life …#teamdjokovic”.

Djokovic’s recent dominance extended through the first half of this year, when he won the Australian Open and completed the career Grand Slam by lifting the French Open trophy for the first time in his career. But he slumped after departing Roland Garros and that combined with Andy Murray’s amazing hot streak resulted in the loss of the No. 1 ranking. Djokovic will be seeded second at the upcoming Aussie Open for just the second time in the last five seasons.

Becker indicated that a dip in Djokovic’s work ethic and overall practicing contributed to the downturn in his results from June through November.

Novak Djokovic of Serbia returns the ball to David Goffin of Belgium during their men’s singles match at the ATP World Tour Finals tennis tournament at the O2 Arena in London, Britain, 17 November 2016. EPA/FACUNDO ARRIZABALAGA

“He didn’t spend as much time on the practice court in the last six months as he should have, and he knows that,” the German commented. “Success like this doesn’t happen by pushing a button. Success like this doesn’t just happen by showing up at a tournament. You have to work your bottom off because the opposition does the same.

“He has got to go back to work. He has to go back to the office and practice these hours and refocus on what made him strong in the first place.”