Boris Becker’s opinion: "I love Novak like a brother"

Novak Djokovic is my brother from another mother. We call ourselves “family” and that’s as close as two people can get.

I knew Novak on and off the court during the period of three years in which I was his coach, between 2013 and 2016. Since then our relationship has only grown stronger. I have seen your behavior with your family and friends. Your sense of humor. The important work that he does, together with his wife, Jelena, in its Foundation. I’ve seen a lot more than the machine-like ‘technical guy’ we all see on the pitch. I have been able to see your heartforks Well.

Novak is 36 years old now. That longevity It is his greatest strength and he shares it with Roger Federer and Raphael nadal. Anyone can have a good week, even a good year, but having 15, 16, 17, 18 good years is exceptional. That is what distinguishes those three players.

Novak keeps winning: he is the reigning champion of the Opens of Australia and France and who would bet against him in Wimbledon? His game has changed since he was brought in. I had to: your rivals do not sleep. They observe you, they study you, they look for your weaknesses. If you don’t constantly improve, you will be left behind.

How did Novak do it? When you have 36 years and the guy you have on the other side of the network, 22You don’t want to hold too many 20-shot rallies. His service has improved, as has his game in the grid. That leads you to earn points a little more fast.

Another thing that distinguishes Novak, Roger and Rafa is the mindset. Much of tennis is in the mind and they use the slightest sign of weakness opponent to gain advantage. It is party management: how you react to a certain situation or to what your opponent does. And that must be learned by the generation emergentmore than the forehand, the backhand and the serve.

But they are learning it. i like jannik Sinner and Holger runes. Sinner has everything it takes to be a successful tennis player: the equipment, the attitude, being good at all things. surfaces and fighting spirit. Rune could also go far: it’s a bit more aggressive that Sinner. I like to see them play with each other.

But let’s talk about Carlos alcaraz. From the first time I saw it I already appreciated that it was something special. You always look for the ‘X factor’ with youngsters and he definitely had it. He is not just a young player with talent: is already number 1 in the world. It is very difficult to win your first Grand Slam, especially being Teen. It is even more difficult to win again. Of Hunteryou become prey. But Alcaraz is already a commanding presence in tennis, and he comes from Spain, where they have a guy called nadal. It’s quite a load heavy to carry, but does it with ease. Nadal won his first Slam at the age of 19. alcaraz too. Nadal won the Laureus World Breakthrough of the Year award in 2006 and was logical that Alcaraz would win it this year, 2023, after obtaining his first Grand Slam, the US Open, in 2022.

I have been involved with laureus From the beginning. In 2000 I had the honor of being invited to become a founding member of Laureus World Sports Academy, the former champions who run the Laureus Sport for Good Foundation. Since then he formed deep friendships with all the other members of the Academy. Now we are 71. We are colleagues, friends and people who fight for the same cause: use sport as a tool for change. I have been in projects in India, Germany and the United States. And every time I see how sport is a stronger communication tool.

Boris Becker is a member of Laureus, a sports movement supported by the world’s best athletes, which celebrates and harnesses the power of sport. @LaureusSport