Boris Becker: I Was Surprised Djokovic Called Me

Boris Becker admitted that he was “surprised” to get a call from Novak Djokovic in October inquiring about his availability to coach the Serb

Speaking to BBC Sport yesterday, Becker revealed how the coaching partnership came to be.

“I was approached by Novak and his manager while he was playing in Beijing,” Becker told BBC Sport.

“I was surprised – I didn’t expect the phone call. I was very honoured.”

Becker, who has never coached a player before, insisted he would give 100% to Djokovic in his new role.

“This isn’t a half-hearted job, it wouldn’t be right for him or for me,” Becker said. “You’re in it to win it. You either go at it fully or you don’t – either I commit myself or I don’t commit myself.

“I said ‘I want to meet you and see how much you want it, how much that fire is burning inside you, how much is left, and what I can bring to the table’.”

Djokovic finished the season strong, but was still behind Rafael Nadal in the final rankings, a fact that weighed heavily in Novak’s decision.

“The fact Nadal has taken over and Murray has moved up a gear, he was left behind a little bit – I’m talking on a really high level, the last five or 10% that maybe has been missing for whatever reason,” Becker told the BBC.

“He decided he needed somebody in his corner that had been there and done it, and that’s why I’m coming in.”

Yesterday, Becker tweeted out a photo of the new team (with David Ferrer cameo) already practicing in Spain.

Team@djokovic pic.twitter.com/WHbylLE14L

— Boris Becker (@TheBorisBecker) December 20, 2013