Novak Djokovic hires Boris Becker as his new coach
In a surprise hire by the No. 2 player in the world, Novak Djokovic has added Boris Becker to his team of coaches for the 2014 season and will bring Becker with him when he heads to Melbourne next month to defend his Australian Open title.
Djokovic, who is coming off a solid season that saw him snag his third straight Aussie Open title, lost in the finals at both Wimbledon and the U.S. Open and is bringing Becker in to help him win more Grand Slams, something Becker knew a lot about during his prime.
“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 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 at them. The team is now strengthened and we hope for maximum results," Novak said on his website.
The addition of Becker doesn't mean that Marian Vajda will be shoved out, as the coach plans to enter his eighth season alongside Djokovic and Becker and hopes that the addition of a new face will help bring something fresh to the now 26-year-old as he continues his quest for not only more majors, but a career Grand Slam with a win at the French Open.
The move seems like a smart one for Djokovic, who played some great tennis in '13 but was outplayed in two important finals at Wimbledon and at the U.S. Open. With Andy Murray taking his tennis to new heights over the last 18 months and Rafael Nadal returning to the game stronger than ever, a lot of people are looking at Novak and wondering when he will go back to competing, and beating those two guys in the matches that count.
Novak plans to bring Becker to the Australian Open, Dubai, Miami, Monte Carlo, Rome, the French Open, Wimbledon, Cincinnati, the U.S. Open, Shanghai, Paris and London in 2014, so expect to see a lot of the 46-year-old in the coming year.
- - - - - - -
is the editor of Devil Ball Golf and Busted Racquet on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at shanebaconblogs@yahoo.com or follow him on Twitter at @ShaneBacon!
