Becker: Djokovic a more offensive, complete player than before

[Livedeath]

http://www.tennis.com/pro-game/2016...offensive-complete-player/57128/#.VotD6VJLhSQ

One of the points that Boris mentions is that Novak had weaknesses in his game and he addressed those issues. I don't think Boris ever mentioned this so bluntly, he along with other tennis pundits generally refrain from calling weaknesses of the top players. Is it because Novak under his tutelage has considerable success hence he considers that he has a bit more liberty to be a bit a more candid?

Another interesting point he mentioned is that Novak was open to the criticism and he knew that the changes which he was trying to bring in, were once one of Boris abilities and he was successful in those in his hey days.

It will be interesting to see what changes will he bring in 2016, i don't expect big changes, but tightening of screws here and there.

 

[nolefam_2024]

Right, I hated people questioning Becker in 2014. He was giving great insights on Djokovic's failures during Wimbledon and especially USOpen commentary in 2013. He is here to make Novak become Rafa beater again.

 

[Deleted member 688153]

Credit to Becker, he's doing a great job as a coach.

 

[Doctor/Lawyer Red Devil]

Got to say I doubted him in the first few months too. However, Becker proving me (and many others) wrong was a very sweet feeling in 2015.

 

[Noleberic123]

Got to say I doubted him in the first few months too. However, Becker proving me (and many others) wrong was a very sweet feeling in 2015.

I wasn't convinced even after 2014 had ended. I was like okay he won Wimbledon but did he really play any better than 2013?

 

[CYGS]

great defense + great offense = COMPLETE

 

[Doctor/Lawyer Red Devil]

I wasn't convinced even after 2014 had ended. I was like okay he won Wimbledon but did he really play any better than 2013?

Well he got back to number 1 spot. I think he played better.

 

[OhYes]

I've believed in Becker from the start. He is just too iconic figure in tennis and Novak didn't bring him because he was deluded. As always, players need some time and patience with new coaches.

 

[DerekNoleFam1]

I wasn't convinced even after 2014 had ended. I was like okay he won Wimbledon but did he really play any better than 2013?

Actually had similar thoughts, and that Becker may have to go if they were unsuccessful at the 2015 AO.
Never regarded Boris as much of a strategist as a player either, just a boom and bust type.
Perseverance pays off though, and everything gelled in 2015.

 

[Sir Percival Blakeney]

Djoker needs to take on another coach who won FO (preferably more than once).

Spoiler

 

[jm1980]

Honestly for guys like Federer, Nadal, and Djokovic I don't think the coach really matters. Look at what Nadal has been able to accomplish with Tio Toni as his coach.

 

[Steve0904]

No offence because this thread is not a particularly bad one, but this was obvious to anybody who watched closely enough last year. Of course he never changed his game completely, but he did serve a lot better and was generally more aggressive. Not sure about the complete part though. He's a perfect player for this baseline era, but I'm not sure that makes him "complete" in the entire sense of the word.

 

[Mainad]

I must concede that, despite some initial misgivings, Becker has undoubtedly been a great success for Djokovic. But there still remains a question mark over his ability to coach him to a first RG title. After all, Boris never won a single clay title in his career and never made a final at RG. Despite this, can he finally get him over the finishing line of the one tournament Novak is still desperate to win? We will see.

 

[Luka888]

Well, kudos to Becker but let's not forget, most pro tennis players are already developed. A very good coach can only tweak a few things here and there. Boris was able to tweak Djokovic's serve (his second serve is so much better/effective now, net game improved too) little bit by pushing him to be more aggressive etc. Those very small improvements can mean a lot when you are a top player.

Djokovic said it himself in one of his interviews that he had 'clicked' with Becker. That mental part is very important to all top players (no, I'm not talking only about top 4 divas).

However, Becker didn't 'invent' Djokovic.

Having said how 'the mental part is so important' just look at what Ivan Lendl managed to do with Murray. I still believe it was more about Murray's confidence than anything else. Lendl didn't really change anything drastically regarding Andy's game, yet Murray won 2 majors and it looked like Ivan did all hard work for Murray (of course that's not the case).

 

[Livedeath]

He's a perfect player for this baseline era, but I'm not sure that makes him "complete" in the entire sense of the word.

I reckon Becker opined that the changes he has incorporated in Novak has made him become more complete in relative to his previous years or to his previous level of baseline play. But it is also to be noted that the changes and adjustments brought in by Boris resulted in improved skill in certain areas which are outside the realm of baseline play, as a consequence expanded his overall offensive game, hence perhaps his game is nearing the 'complete' game if we consider all aspects.

I must concede that, despite some initial misgivings, Becker has undoubtedly been a great success for Djokovic. But there still remains a question mark over his ability to coach him to a first RG title. After all, Boris never won a single clay title in his career and never made a final at RG. Despite this, can he finally get him over the finishing line of the one tournament Novak is still desperate to win? We will see.

I reckon RG was not the only reason he was hired, he was losing GS finals to Andy and Rafa and had created a mental block in his ability to clear the final hurdle at GS, hence it was about the having the upper hand in those moments. If RG would had been the only priority a clay specialist would had been hired just like Roger did by hiring Tony Roche. What i believe is this might had been considered, that Novak has already a great clay game, and if Boris through his rich experience in those tough moments could alleviate this issue or even further remove it completely, and if he is also able to help Novak translate his success(in mental terms) in non clay surfaces to clay especially RG, their objective will be achieved.

 

[Steve0904]

I reckon Becker opined that the changes he has incorporated in Novak has made him become more complete in relative to his previous years or to his previous level of baseline play. But it is also to be noted that the changes and adjustments brought in by Boris resulted in improved skill in certain areas which are outside the realm of baseline play, as a consequence expanded his overall offensive game, hence perhaps his game is nearing the 'complete' game if we consider all aspects.

If that is how he meant it then that makes sense, but as far as being complete in the entire sense of the word, Djokovic's overall net game is still not quite good enough for him to be a "complete" player, by my definition.

 

[Doflamingo]

I must concede that, despite some initial misgivings, Becker has undoubtedly been a great success for Djokovic. But there still remains a question mark over his ability to coach him to a first RG title. After all, Boris never won a single clay title in his career and never made a final at RG. Despite this, can he finally get him over the finishing line of the one tournament Novak is still desperate to win? We will see.

It'd be amazing if Novak/Becker could emulate Murray/Lendl regarding their missing slams.

> Lendl never won Wimbledon, Murray, his apprentice won it.
> Becker never won French Open, Djokovic, will the apprentice win it? ​

 

[donquijote]

More offensive than before? roflol

 

[donquijote]

http://tt.tennis-warehouse.com/inde...ic-be-better-if-he-was-more-offensive.525316/

 

[Shaolin]

I hope Djokovic is a little more aggressive. Would be nice to see him break the double-digit mark in total winners for the year.

 

[jm1980]

More offensive than before? roflol

Another one who doesn't actually watch his matches and just parrots the same things over and over again

 

[TheGhostOfAgassi]

I hope Djokovic is a little more aggressive. Would be nice to see him break the double-digit mark in total winners for the year.

Yeah I just thought about it. His newly reformed game style of aggressive play will maybe make his percentage of winners pr set will increase from 0,9 to 1,1. Such massive improvements will for sure make tennis more interesting again.

 

[jm1980]

Yeah I just thought about it. His newly reformed game style of aggressive play will maybe make his percentage of winners pr set will increase from 0,9 to 1,1. Such massive improvements will for sure make tennis more interesting again.

Already better than Nadal

Incredible how even in a 4-set win on his beloved clay Nadal manages to hit fewer winners than Djokovic

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2012_French_Open_–_Men's_Singles_final

 

[nolefam_2024]

Yeah I just thought about it. His newly reformed game style of aggressive play will maybe make his percentage of winners pr set will increase from 0,9 to 1,1. Such massive improvements will for sure make tennis more interesting again.

Better than Nadal anyway but mostly you will see less of Nadal anyway so hang on to hate.

 

[Doctor/Lawyer Red Devil]

Fedal darlings acting like they know and watch Djokovic and his game.
May the 2016 be the year of Murrovic terror!

 

[nolefam_2024]

Fedal darlings acting like they know and watch Djokovic and his game.
May the 2016 be the year of Murrovic terror!

Lol. Murray is applying for Finland passport I heard.

 

[nolefam_2024]

And I don't wish anyone Murrovic year. There are so many guys you can support instead of Murray. Let's feel the power of POSITIVITY.

 

[Doctor/Lawyer Red Devil]

And I don't wish anyone Murrovic year. There are so many guys you can support instead of Murray. Let's feel the power of POSITIVITY.

You can support anyone you want.
Murray can go mad with his f words but I like the guy still...

 

[TheGhostOfAgassi]

Better than Nadal anyway but mostly you will see less of Nadal anyway so hang on to hate.

Just for fun, do you know where to find statistics of W-UE of the players in previous years? Would be interesting.

 

[nolefam_2024]

You can support anyone you want.
Murray can go mad with his f words but I like the guy still...

That Cincinnati was final straw for me. He is measuring stick in today's tennis. If you beat him, you are good. But he is boring as ****.

 

[nolefam_2024]

Just for fun, do you know where to find statistics of W-UE of the players in previous years? Would be interesting.

Impossible for full year.

 

[mavsman149]

Well he got back to number 1 spot. I think he played better.

I think that had more to do with Nadal falling apart after the French than anything in 2014.

 

[nolefam_2024]

I think that had more to do with Nadal falling apart after the French than anything in 2014.

Yep. Sure. Nadal having bad year even on clay while Novak doing IW-Miami double makes sense that Nadal was going to be no.1. Let's see what rd he stays in Doha.

 

[mavsman149]

Hilarious to see any Nadal fan ever trying to say that Novak doesn't hit winners or play aggressively enough.

 

[Doctor/Lawyer Red Devil]

I think that had more to do with Nadal falling apart after the French than anything in 2014.

Well he did take the number 1 ranking at Wimbledon, and Nadal was still playing then. Do you think he would have defended all 3 American titles if he was fit?

 

[nolefam_2024]

Well he did take the number 1 ranking at Wimbledon, and Nadal was still playing then. Do you think he would have defended all 3 American titles if he was fit?

He wasn't even defending his clay turf mostly. The RG run was impressive for him.

 

[TheGhostOfAgassi]

Impossible for full year.

Im considering going through all matches since wimbledon up to end season 15 and check out which one of them that has most winners. But id rather not do it. Lol. Must be someone that is all in for all this numbers?
Is ATP protecting Novak since they don't show this stats? Reading Novaks winners statistics can cause severe depression? Who knows

 

[nolefam_2024]

Im considering going through all matches since wimbledon up to end season 15 and check out which one of them that has most winners. But id rather not do it. Lol. Must be someone that is all in for all this numbers?
Is ATP protecting Novak since they don't show this stats? Reading Novaks winners statistics can cause severe depression? Who knows

Yep, just like WTA is protecting all players by not showing unforced errors. Novak is son in law of ATP chief so they are protecting him

 

[mavsman149]

Well he did take the number 1 ranking at Wimbledon, and Nadal was still playing then. Do you think he would have defended all 3 American titles if he was fit?

Just to get the official numbers out their to compare Djokovic's 13 and 14

2013
74-9
7 titles: AO, Dubai, Monte Carlo, China, Shanghai, Paris and WTF
Lost in the SF of RG to Nadal in the epic and the finals of USO to Nadal
Lost in the Finals of Wimbledon to Murray

1 Major, WTF, 3 Masters and 2 500's

2014
61-8
7 titles: IW, Miami, Rome, Wimbledon, China, Paris and WTF
Lost in the QF of AO to Wawrinka, Lost in the RG F to Nadal and the SF of the USO to Nishikori

1 Major, WTF, 4 Masters and 1 500

Really there isn't that much of a difference, slightly better tournament victories with 1 more Master and 1 less 500. He didn't perform as well in the Majors though however. I don't really think the Becker effect fully took effect till 2015.

 

[TheGhostOfAgassi]

Yep, just like WTA is protecting all players by not showing unforced errors. Novak is son in law of ATP chief so they are protecting him

Hehe Yes. ATP & WTA have a responsibility there for tennis fans mental health.

 

[nolefam_2024]

Just to get the official numbers out their to compare Djokovic's 13 and 14

2013
74-9
7 titles: AO, Dubai, Monte Carlo, China, Shanghai, Paris and WTF
Lost in the SF of RG to Nadal in the epic and the finals of USO to Nadal
Lost in the Finals of Wimbledon to Murray

1 Major, WTF, 3 Masters and 2 500's

2014
61-8
7 titles: IW, Miami, Rome, Wimbledon, China, Paris and WTF
Lost in the QF of AO to Wawrinka, Lost in the RG F to Nadal and the SF of the USO to Nishikori

1 Major, WTF, 4 Masters and 1 500

Really there isn't that much of a difference, slightly better tournament victories with 1 more Master and 1 less 500. He didn't perform as well in the Majors though however. I don't really think the Becker effect fully took effect till 2015.

It took place already that he won Wimbledon. He was too stupid to not concentrate on USO series, granted his main rival was gone.

 

[Doctor/Lawyer Red Devil]

It took place already that he won Wimbledon. He was too stupid to not concentrate on USO series, granted his main rival was gone.

Wedding hangover was a big one.

 

[nolefam_2024]

Wedding hangover was a big one.

Yep, anyway, he is allowed to prioritize what he wants.

 

[DerekNoleFam1]

I reckon Becker opined that the changes he has incorporated in Novak has made him become more complete in relative to his previous years or to his previous level of baseline play. But it is also to be noted that the changes and adjustments brought in by Boris resulted in improved skill in certain areas which are outside the realm of baseline play, as a consequence expanded his overall offensive game, hence perhaps his game is nearing the 'complete' game if we consider all aspects.


I reckon RG was not the only reason he was hired, he was losing GS finals to Andy and Rafa and had created a mental block in his ability to clear the final hurdle at GS, hence it was about the having the upper hand in those moments. If RG would had been the only priority a clay specialist would had been hired just like Roger did by hiring Tony Roche. What i believe is this might had been considered, that Novak has already a great clay game, and if Boris through his rich experience in those tough moments could alleviate this issue or even further remove it completely, and if he is also able to help Novak translate his success(in mental terms) in non clay surfaces to clay especially RG, their objective will be achieved.

Agree, Boris knows his own limitations on clay, but does not mean he cannot devise a game plan to win RG.
He was actually quite critical of the RG final in this interview after Wimbledon:

In saying that, it would not be a bad idea to add somebody else in an advisory role during the clay court season.

 

[NoleFam]

Agree, Boris knows his own limitations on clay, but does not mean he cannot devise a game plan to win RG.
He was actually quite critical of the RG final in this interview after Wimbledon:

In saying that, it would not be a bad idea to add somebody else in an advisory role during the clay court season.

Having an advisor like Guga would be an excellent idea. Just the fact that someone in his corner knows what it takes and has done it would give him a mental boost.

 

[donquijote]

Indeed more OFFENSIVE than before..