• Tennis

Becker to become head coach of Djokovic

ESPN staff
December 18, 2013
Novak Djokovic ended 2013 on a high © Getty Images
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Boris Becker has been announced as Novak Djokovic's head coach, and will start working with the world No. 2 ahead of the Australian Open.

Becker, a six-time grand slam champion, will accompany the Serb to all four majors in 2014, as well as selected Masters 1000 events. Becker will join Djokovic's current coaching team of Marian Vajda, Miljan Amanovic and Gebhard Phil-Gritsch. Vajda is set to be with Djokovic in Indian Wells, Madrid, Toronto and Beijing.

ESPN's Best of 2013: Tennis

Novak Djokovic successfully retained his trophy at the O2 Arena © Getty Images

"I am really excited to have the opportunity to work with Boris. He is a true legend, someone who has great tennis knowledge and his experience will help me win new trophies from the grand slams and other tournaments," Djokovic said.

"Becker is a great person, too, and I am sure he will fit in our team in the best possible way. Boris brings a new and fresh approach, and together with Vajda he will make a winning combination. My goal for 2014 is to play my best tennis and to get in shape for the grand slams and Masters.

"These tournaments have the most weight in our sport, and I want to prove my worth at them. The team is now strengthened and we hope for maximum results."

Djokovic has lost the last two grand slam finals, to Andy Murray at Wimbledon and Rafael Nadal at the US Open. However, he ended 2013 on a high after retaining his ATP World Tour Finals crown at London's O2 Arena, defeating world No. 1 Nadal in the final.

And with Murray teaming up with another legend, Ivan Lendl, both Murray and Djokovic will now be coached by players who have faced one another in three major finals, with Becker coming out on top at Wimbledon in 1986, the 1989 US Open and 1991 Australian Open.

On the appointment, Becker said: "I am proud Novak invited me to become his head coach. I will do my best to help him reach his goals, and I am sure we can achieve great things together."

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