Novak Djokovic Has A New Coach, His Name Is Boris Becker!
Novak Djokovic announced today that he has added Boris Becker as his new head coach entering 2014. Becker will join longtime coaches Marian Vajda, Miljan Amanovic and Gebhard Phil-Gritsch on the team Novak next season, and will travel with the World No. 2 to the Australian Open, Dubai, Miami, Monte-Carlo, Rome, Roland Garros, Wimbledon, Cincinnati, the US Open, Shanghai, Paris and London.
“I am really excited to have the opportunity to work with Boris,” said Djokovic. “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.
“Boris 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 1000s. 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.”
The 46-year-old Becker is a former No. 1 and six-time Grand Slam champion. But is unproven in coaching.
“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,” Becker said.
Vajda, who will not be travelling as much next season, also helped picked Boris.
“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,” said Vajda who missed several events to tend to a sick family member in 2013. “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.
“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. 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.”
With some brief help from Wotjek Fibak, Djokovic finished second in 2013. The Serb won the Australian Open, reached the finals at Wimbledon and the US Open and was a semifinalist at the French, and also won the ATP Finals. But failed to win a single title during the crucial May-September period.
Since retiring in 1999, Becker has been involved in several ventures including TV and Poker. This will be his first foray into coaching.
The move follows a line of recent high profile hook ups. Andy Murray hired Ivan Lendl. Maria Sharapova tested Jimmy Connors and just last week Roger Federer trained with Stefan Edberg.
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