• Australian Open

Djokovic calls on Becker for 'mental edge'

ESPN staff
January 9, 2014
Novak Djokovic will be aiming to win a fourth straight Australian Open © Getty Images
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Novak Djokovic hopes the arrival of Boris Becker as his new head coach can help him develop a "mental edge" during the grand slams.

The world No. 2 has lost in the final of the last two majors he has competed in, to Andy Murray at Wimbledon and to Rafael Nadal at the US Open. He also lost top spot in the rankings to Nadal, but ended the season on a high by retaining his ATP World Tour Finals crown.

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And with six-time grand slam champion Becker on board, Djokovic hopes the legend's influence will aid him at the majors in 2014 and beyond.

"I'm really glad and honoured to have Boris in our team as my head coach," Djokovic said after his victory over Juan Monaco at the Kooyong Classic invitational event, where he also entertained the crowd.

"I sincerely hope he can bring that mental edge because he recognises the situations that one top player is facing, especially during the grand slams and the pressures and expectations, and the clutch moments. That's what we're hoping to work on and improve the most. And of course a couple of other elements of my game. I can never serve as well as he did, but I can just hope to improve."

Djokovic will be aiming to lift a fourth consecutive Australian Open title, and is pleased to return Down Under at the scene of his maiden grand slam triumph in 2008.

"It's great to be back, I love Australia, I love coming back here. I miss it," he said.

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd
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