New Season, One Coach Less

After many speculations on the topic, Novak Djokovic has confirmed that his three-year coaching relationship with Boris Becker is over. The moment had been approaching for some weeks, after Djokovic’s dramatic loss of form in the second half of the season, and it was confirmed via a message on the player’s official Facebook page. For those of you who still haven’t heard the news because you were hooked to William Hill Android app, look away from your phones for a moment and check this important announcement Djokovic has recently made.

“Boris Becker and I have jointly decided to end our cooperation,” wrote Djokovic in the post. “The goals we set when we started working together have been completely fulfilled, and I want to thank him for the co-operation, teamwork, dedication and commitment.”

Following the news, Becker told Sky: “It was mutual, a decision like this doesn’t happen overnight. The last six months have been challenging on many levels, the fact that he was winning his lifelong dream – the French Open – where he held four grand slams in a row, the first since 1969, naturally he wanted to spend more time with his family. He wanted to pursue other off-court interests, rightfully.

He then continued: “He needed time to reflect on that, he needed time to be with his loved ones. As a coaching staff our hands were tied a little bit, we couldn’t do the work we wanted to do because he had more important things to do, so then we questioned ourselves. Why are we going to New York? And once you raise that question, that is the beginning [of the end].”

Becker finally added: “I am sure he is going to refocus for next year, I am sure the loss of the No 1 ranking to Andy Murray is going to hurt. I know the US Open loss in the final against Stan [Wawrinka] hurt. So I think that’s what he needed in a funny way, just to realize what it’s like to lose, because he hasn’t been losing for two-and-a-half years. I’m convinced – and I’m his No 1 fan for next year – for him to come back and regain the No. 1 ranking and regain being the No 1 player in the sport. But he’s got to back to work, back to the office and refocus on what made you strong in the first place.”

Despite the skepticism that surrounded Becker’s appointment, just before Christmas in 2013, his arrival was followed by a flowering of Djokovic’s incredible career.

When they started working together, Djokovic had lost four of his previous five grand slam finals. And although their first major tournament ended non so good (Australian Open of 2014), with a quarter-final exit to Stan Wawrinka, things began to turn for the better after a dinner at Wimbledon.

As Becker would later write: “We had a three-hour conversation: Jelena, his brother Marko, Novak and me. It was after that conversation that I felt I really belonged in the inner circle.”

The results began to pick up. Djokovic won Wimbledon four days later, and set off on a streak which landed him six of the next eight majors. He thus doubled his amazing collection of grand slams, putting himself in the focus whenever the “greatest of all time” debate comes around.

How much did Becker contribute? Not much in technical terms. That area was left to Marian Vajda, the long-term mentor who has been working with Djokovic for more than a decade, but who wanted to spend less time on tour for family reasons. Still, Djokovic seemed to tap into Becker’s competitive spirit and to enjoy his company.

After last year’s Wimbledon semi-final, Djokovic said: “He [Becker] is going through the emotions with me like when he was playing. It’s just the connection, the link that you make. There has to be that kind of chemistry in order to really deliver, team-wise.”

Many people wonder what 2017 holds for Novak Djokovic. Will he be able to return to the Number 1 spot or perhaps win all four Grand Slams again? Is he going to show his incredible mental strength that he is so famous for? Of course, it’s not possible to know all these things. But, one thing is for sure – with proper guidance and support of his lifelong coach and right-hand man, Marjan Vajda, Djokovic will most certainly show even bigger strength and motivation to be the best of the best – which he is!