Belgrade (dpa) – Novak Djokovic on Tuesday confirmed a long-rumoured split with coach Boris Becker after three seasons and six grand slam titles together.
The number two Serb, 29, who lost the top ranking last month to Andy Murray, will carry on with longtime mentor Marian Vajda, who has guided him through most of his career.
Becker’s fate had been hinted at for some weeks, with the German referring to the relationship in the past tense during recent interviews.
A statement on Djokovic’s website said that the player’s goals with the six-time grand slam champion German, 49, had been «completely fulfilled.»
Becker joined the Djokovic team in December, 2013 and the Serb won six of his dozen grand slams since hiring Becker.
«After three very successful years, Boris Becker and I have jointly decided to end our cooperation,» said Djokovic. «The goals we set when we started working together have been completely fulfilled, and I want to thank him for the cooperation, teamwork, dedication and commitment.»
Djokovic’s camp and those around him remain confident of his return to top form in 2017.
«I am sure he will be back in form next year. I am sure that the finals loss would have hurt, that losing the number one title would have hurt, that the ATP Finals loss would have hurt,» Becker told Britain’s Sky Sports.
«Sometimes you need to know what it feels like to lose. Novak hasn’t lost anything in two and a half years. So I’m convinced, as his number one fan for next year, for him to regain his form.
«But he has to go back to the office, he has to get back to work and practise. He needs to refocus on what made him number one. Success doesn’t happen just by showing up at a tournament. You have to work your bottom off, it won’t just come to you.»
Djokovic now heads into the 2017 season guided by his longtime coach plus a newly acquired Spanish «love guru» Pepe Imaz onside.
Imaz brings his «long hug» therapy and touchy-feely style to the team, an addition which evidently must please Djokovic.
The new-age Spaniard who once played on the ATP, was added to the team this year to combat Djokovic’s fall in enthusiasm for the sport after completing his grand slam title collection by winning the French Open for the first time.
Despite the major change, Djokovic still emerges as a main title contender for the Australian Open next month along with Murray.
