World number two Novak Djokovic has appointed six-time Grand Slam winner Boris Becker as his new head coach. Djokovic will start working with Becker before the Australian Open, which starts on 13 January. Djokovic's long-time coach Marian Vajda will continue as part of his coaching team. "I am proud Novak invited me to become his head coach. I am sure we can achieve great things together," said Becker.
Defending Australian Open champion Djokovic has been working with Vajda since 2006 but other coaches have been hired and fired since then. "Boris brings a fresh approach and together with Vajda he will make a winning combination," said Djokovic. "Boris is a true legend, someone who has great tennis knowledge, and his experience will help me win new trophies, Grand Slams and other tournaments. He is a great person too, and I am sure he will fit in our team in the best possible way. The team is now strengthened and we hope for maximum results. 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."
Becker made history by winning Wimbledon as an unseeded 17-year-old player in 1985. He managed to win 64 ATP Tour titles in a 15-year long career, including three Wimbledon singles titles. Djokovic will be hoping to regain his world number one spot from Rafael Nadal in 2014. Vajda welcomed Becker's arrival: "I realised that Novak needed a new head coach in order for him to continue improving certain parts of the game."
The first major tournament of 2014 is the Australian Open and Novak Djokovic is the favourite to win it according to the bookmakers, he is 5/4 to retain the crown at Bet365 while Rafael Nadal is 2/1 and Andy Murray 4/1.
11/05/14, 06:11:22 PM
