Djokovic coach choice surprises even Becker

Boris Becker said Novak Djokovic approached him to become his head coach the day the Serb lost the world No. 1 ranking to Spaniard Rafa Nadal in October. Djokovic’s announcement this week that the German six-time Grand Slam champion was to become his coach was greeted with surprise, and Becker himself said it had been unexpected.

“I was approached by Novak and his manager while he was playing in Beijing,” London-based Becker told BBC Sport on Friday. “He decided he needed somebody in his corner that had been there and done it.

“I was surprised - I didn’t expect the phone call. I was very honored.”

Marian Vajda, who was the 26-year-old Djokovic’s coach for each of his six Grand Slam titles, will continue as part of the team, but Becker is set to assume head coach responsibilities at the Australian Open, which starts on Jan. 13.

It will be Becker’s first foray into coaching a top-level player and he said he would put 100 percent into it.

Becker joins another former world No. 1 and multiple Grand Slam winner, Ivan Lendl, in the coaching circle after the Czech-born American teamed up with Andy Murray at the start of 2012 and has since guided the British player to two major titles.

Reuters