Federer, Nadal absence affected Djokovic, coach says

Following Novak Djokovic’s loss to Andy Murray at the ATP World Tour Finals, Djokovic’s coach Boris Becker has said that the absence of Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal from the tour this year has significantly affected Djokovic, causing him to lose motivation.

The slipping form of the former World No. 1 has been a thing of concern lately, as many theories have surged from mere burnout to perhaps a potential marital struggle.

Djokovic however has refrained from giving a clear comment on the matter.

Coach Becker however suggested in an interview with CNN earlier this week that Djokovic misses his opponents.

“He doesn’t have opponents anymore,” Becker said. “His time was with Rafa, with Roger, Andy was always the fourth guy,” he said. “So he lost a bit of his opponents.”

Read Also: Murray destroys Djokovic, ends year as World No. 1

Becker also spoke of his strong support for Djokovic, and suggested that the Serb’s loss to Any Murray at the ATP finals could be beneficial to him.

“Novak is a competitor at heart,” he said.

“If I have to have one guy who has to play for my life, I would pick Novak. That’s how much I trust him.”

“As much as this loss is going to hurt him, it’s probably going to motivate him to be re-energized for next year. Maybe it was a good thing in the end,” he stated.
By Ben Fidelis…

Ripples Nigeria…without borders, without fears

Join the conversation

Opinions

Support Ripples Nigeria, hold up solutions journalism

Balanced, fearless journalism driven by data comes at huge financial costs.

As a media platform, we hold leadership accountable and will not trade the right to press freedom and free speech for a piece of cake.

If you like what we do, and are ready to uphold solutions journalism, kindly donate to the Ripples Nigeria cause.

Your support would help to ensure that citizens and institutions continue to have free access to credible and reliable information for societal development.

Donate Now