Novak Djokovic has admitted that Holger Rune has made a “very good choice” in appointing former tennis icon Boris Becker to his team. The Serbian tennis star revealed that it will be difficult for him to see his former coach working for another player, but admits it’s a smart decision for everyone involved.
Djokovic and Becker enjoyed a successful working relationship together during a dominant spell between 2013 and 2016. The current US Open champion worked with the six-time Grand Slam winner to lift six of his 24 Grand Slams and 14 ATP Masters 1000 tournaments.
During this period Djokovic also enjoyed a spell as World No. 1 for a staggering 122 consecutive weeks. However, a third-round Wimbledon exit against Samuel Querrey, a U.S. Open final defeat to Stan Wawrinka and a quarterfinal defeat to Marin Čilić in the Paris Open saw the pair part ways.
Despite ending on a poor run of form, the Serbian still speaks highly of his former coach and believes that Rune has made a wise decision in appointing the former tennis great.
“I think it’s a very good decision from Holger to invite Boris to join his team,” Djokovic said when asked by reporters in the French capital ahead of the Paris Masters. “Boris is legend of our sport, someone that understands the game so well from a player’s perspective, coaching perspective.
“He’s been around the game for so many years. He’s seen and played against different players in different generations. Incredibly intelligent, smart man, very confident, obviously composed. He was famous for his mental strength and ability to come up with his best game when he was facing the biggest pressure.”
Djokovic went on to add that he has high expectations for Rune having played against the Dane in practice sessions. The pair have also played against each other three times in recent years, with Rune getting the better of his opponent on two of the three occasions.
“I have known Holger for quite a few years,” he added. “We trained when he was younger than he is now in Monte-Carlo, and I really like his game. I think he’s got huge potential, potential to be a Grand Slam winner, no doubt. So I’m sure that Boris will be able to help improve his game overall.”
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Rune is yet to win a Grand Slam title, but at just 20 years old time is on his hands. The current World No. 6 has impressed on the courts this year having reached the quarterfinals of both the French Open and Wimbledon, and also winning the BMW Open for a second consecutive year.
Speaking on what it will be like having his former coach working with another player, Djokovic admitted that it will be strange to see him working on a rival team. “Boris is a dear friend, someone who has been through a lot in the last several years of his life. I’m really glad to see him back on the tour as a coach,” Djokovic added.
“It’s probably not going to be that nice and comfortable for me seeing him, if I face Holger, seeing him in the opposite box, because that hasn’t happened yet. If it does, obviously that’s not a great feeling. But at the same time, I have maintained a friendly relation with Boris and he knows I really love him a lot and his family. I’m really glad that they came together.”
Rune has already worked under Becker when he reached the semifinals of the Swiss Indoors Basel before being knocked out by Canada’s Felix Auger Aliassime. Both Rune and Djokovic are set to play in the upcoming Paris Masters which will start on Monday (Oct. 30).
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