12-time Grand Slam champion Novak Djokovic’s former coach Boris Becker has warned the Serbian superstar against having high expectations in the lead up to his return to action after elbow surgery.
Becker, who coached Djokovic from 2014 to 2016, guiding him to six Major titles, claimed that his former charge is unlikely to emulate World No. 1 Roger Federer and French Open champion Rafael Nadal’s success after his comeback on the ATP tour.
Both Federer and Nadal made stunning comebacks after returning from their respective injury layoffs in 2017, splitting the four Grand Slam titles among them. However, Becker isn’t backing Djokovic to achieve the same kind of instant success once he is back on the court.
“Mentally is going to be the biggest challenge,” Becker told journalists at the Laureus Awards in Monte Carlo.
“How much you accept to do the dirty work like Monday morning practice, the first and second round of tournaments you are expected to win and it is hot and windy conditions.
“Usually they say the amount of time you have been away takes you the same amount to come back to your previous level and I hope that is not the case for Djokovic because that would mean the end of the year.”
“It would be a lot to expect him (Djokovic) coming back and winning his first tournament at a Grand Slam,” said Becker.
“Rafa and Federer have set examples of coming back but they are not normal. Usually it takes time.”
Becker said: “Tennis players don’t only have one injury.”
“If you play a Grand Slam, you go seven matches over two weeks, more than just the elbow hurts. It stops when you can no longer take the pain or have a serious problem, as it was in Novak’s case. It’s part of it.
“If you go to the locker room on a Monday morning in the first week of a Grand Slam you’d be amazed how many players have their ankles and elbows taped and are discussing with the trainers who is fit.”
“Tennis is a very physical game, period,” Becker added.
“And you can’t admire the top guys enough for playing 75, 80 matches a year.
“In most other sports, that’s not possible. Roger and Rafa have done that. Serena and Garbine have done that. It’s a tough sport. Injuries happen.
“It was a bit unfortunate that last year at the same time Murray and Djokovic called it a year after Wimbledon. It’s because of years and years and years of abuse.
“Unfortunately at the same time you have Stan Wawrinka, Kei Nishikori and others taking some time off to come back.
“It’s the nature of the beast of being professional.
“You’ve had it in the 90s, you’ve had it in the 80s. It’s just part of our game.”
