The former coach of Djokovic says he has been impressed by the Serb's progress this summer.
Wimbledon, England—Boris Becker has joined Andy Murray in the Novak Djokovic fan club. Yesterday on BBC Murray commented about Djokovic's good chances of winning here at SW19 despite the hot play of Federer and Nadal. On Wednesdsay the German, who helped guide Djokovic to six of his 12 Grand Slam titles during a three-year coaching stint, penned a column for Fox Sports expressing the same sentiment — he believes Djokovic is in good enough form to win Wimbledon.
“The fact that Murray is out now, and Novak was gone, also is responsible for how Roger has won so much over the past 18 months,” Becker wrote. “Remember, when they started the Australian Open last year, No. 1 in the world was Novak; No. 2 in the world was Andy. Roger was nowhere, coming back from injury. So, in 18 months, a lot has happened for both players. A lot can happen in 18 months for Novak.”
Becker says that he began to see the difference in Djokovic when he reunited with Marian Vajda, and as the spring has turned to summer he has seen more signs that the former World No.1 is ready to break out in a big way.
Boris Becker on why Novak Djokovic can win #Wimbledon https://t.co/0XMIGoBXp5
— TennisNow (@Tennis_Now) July 11, 2018
“When I saw him in Rome, he started playing better,” Becker said. “I saw the semi-final against Rafa. It was the first time I felt as if he was starting to be competitive again. He had a little bit of a flunk at the French, losing to Cecchinato. But again, he made the second week, and finally when I saw him at Queen’s, I said ‘wow, he’s playing tennis again.’”
Becker believes that Djokovic, who faces Kei Nishikori today and would face either Rafael Nadal or Juan Martin del Potro in the semifinals on Friday, can win it all for the fourth time at SW19.
“I don’t see why Novak can’t win this tournament,” he wrote. “He has to put himself in the position for him to win in straight sets against Kei Nishikori. He’s also a bit older, and needs the day off to recover.”
He added: “Nishikori is not a bad draw for him. He likes playing Nishikori. Then he’s in the semis, potentially against Rafa, or del Potro. A great matchup. They’re the matches he’s looking for. I think he can go all the way.”
