Vitamin B4 for Novak: Bring Back Boris Becker!

[uscwang]

The loss to Istomin in the 2nd round of his favorite slam should serve as a wakeup call for Novak. I watched part of the match. Istomin played courageously, serving and hitting big, and bring big plays in many critical moments. Novak played quite well too, but was rather passive and one-dimensional (relying on FH crosscourt for offense) during some stretches of the match. Losing both tiebreakers was a bit unlucky for Novak, but Istomin deserved the win.
It could very well be that Novak is a bit slower in step and response due to age, which starts to neutralize his return of serve (a big weapon for him). It happened to Rafa, whose decline has not been pretty.
I have hoped for the last couple of years that Novak and his team would let his game evolve with age, shifting towards offense from defense (not easy for sure). Boris Becker is the perfect person to help him with the transition but was fired. Novak seemed to be motivated and focused during the match. But he is not 25 anymore and cannot hope to always outlast his opponent.
My call for Novak: bring back Boris Becker before it is too late. Vajda appears to be more of a defensive coordinator/coach (as in American football) to Novak. He needs Becker for more offense and for psychological support from a been-there-done-that champion.

 

[Shaolin]

Nah...I like the direction Pepe is taking Novak's game.

 

[tennis_pro]

Dude, Djokovic is almost 30, get over it. Nobody is in their prime their whole career. The best coach ever won't make Djokovic as good as he was in 2015 again. Becker did a great job to "extend" Djokovic's prime as much as he did.

There were a lot of people who were surprised (including me) that Djokovic kept winning everything when he was 27-29 years old. Why does his sudden decline which was inevitable suddenly surprise Djokovic fans so much?

 

[mike danny]

Well it's not like Novak has forgotten everything Boris taught him. He should still implement the same strategies even without him there.

 

[uliks]

I'm afraid his winning mentality is gone for good. Physically he'll be ok for couple of more years, but mentally he will never be the same again...

 

[Steve0904]

Dude, Djokovic is almost 30, get over it. Nobody is in their prime their whole career. The best coach ever won't make Djokovic as good as he was in 2015 again. Becker did a great job to "extend" Djokovic's prime as much as he did.

There were a lot of people who were surprised (including me) that Djokovic kept winning everything when he was 27-29 years old. Why does his sudden decline which was inevitable suddenly surprises Djokovic fans so much?

It's called denial. And it's a strong drug.

 

[NuBas]

He's probably bored of winning grand slams

 

[SpinToWin]

But don't you see the HARMONY in Novak's game now?

 

[uliks]

It's called denial. And it's a strong drug.

Whatever it is, you should relax a bit also. Your God's record is safe now.

 

[Steve0904]

Whatever it is, you should relax a bit also. Your God's record is safe now.

I'm very relaxed. I'm just rubbing it in a bit like you guys do when Federer loses. Don't worry. He will before the tournament is over.

 

[Deleted member 716271]

Dude, Djokovic is almost 30, get over it. Nobody is in their prime their whole career. The best coach ever won't make Djokovic as good as he was in 2015 again. Becker did a great job to "extend" Djokovic's prime as much as he did.

There were a lot of people who were surprised (including me) that Djokovic kept winning everything when he was 27-29 years old. Why does his sudden decline which was inevitable suddenly surprise Djokovic fans so much?

It looks like theres something wrong mentally with him as well. Look how he got rid of Becker, Pepe, his marital problems. This is a pretty stunning fall from grace, doesnt seem just physical. If it was, then how come Murrays still good? Is he just good relative to the mug field or what?

Bill Burr is good on Joe Rogan, cant stand Rogan otherwise

 

[Doctor/Lawyer Red Devil]

He achieved a lot before Becker came, Beckher helped him achieve even more. But for a new wave of dominance, Novak would need a time machine.

 

[mike danny]

I'm afraid his winning mentality is gone for good. Physically he'll be ok for couple of more years, but mentally he will never be the same again...

Don't say that. Players usually find new ways to motivate themselves. That's what Djokovic has to work on.

I think he will return at a decent level mentally at one point.

However, he will never be the same player he was in 2011-2016 and especially in 2011 and 2015, his peak years. He is entering his post prime period.

 

[Dope Reign]

It's called denial. And it's a strong drug.

And an old egyptian river.

Ba Dum Tss!.

 

[sarmpas]

The loss to Istomin is a sign of the strong era his fans around here have been drumming on about for ages. Now I believe it.

 

[Shaolin]

But don't you see the HARMONY in Novak's game now?

LOL Novak's face =

 

[Crocodile]

At the end of day to be so consistent for such a long time, something's got to give and I think we are seeing this now. The body and soul all get a work out and an athlete at an elite level is under so much load.
I'm amazed how long some tennis players careers last. You could also say this about the Olympians, how they manage to back up 4 years later. Swimmers like Phelps is pretty amazing.

 

[Tennis Rules]

djokovic on court behaivor is a shame.... and not a former number 1 like.

that should he change first. becker was good for him but i don´t know i he would come back...

 

[Poisoned Slice]

LOL Novak's face =

 

[sarmpas]

Well it's not like Novak has forgotten everything Boris taught him. He should still implement the same strategies even without him there.

On that point by my own observations when Lendl parted from Murray, he Murray for a time stopped being as aggressive and went back to hitting those lame forehands for Novak to tee off on.

 

[tennis_pro]

It looks like theres something wrong mentally with him as well. Look how he got rid of Becker, Pepe, his marital problems. This is a pretty stunning fall from grace, doesnt seem just physical. If it was, then how come Murrays still good? Is he just good relative to the mug field or what?

It looks more mental than physical to me. I don't think Djokovic is stupid, he's just burned out and Pepe is just an experiment to see if he can remotivate himself.

I think he could show more fire in the future but by the time he recharges his batteries it might be too late to catch up. This AO loss might actually be a blessing in disguise, who knows.

Bill Burr is good on Joe Rogan, cant stand Rogan otherwise

Bill Burr is a F comedy genius. I just heard he's releasing a new special, can't wait!

 

[Mainad]

Well it's not like Novak has forgotten everything Boris taught him. He should still implement the same strategies even without him there.

For some reason that never seems to work out too well when the motivator is no longer physically present. Ditto Murray during the split with Lendl. The physical presence of these former champions or at least being a member of the team seems to be essential to inspire their pupils to implement their tactics on a consistent basis.

Personally, I wouldn't rule out the possibility of an eventual reunion with Becker at some stage if Djokovic's form continues to slump drastically. After all, it happened with Murray and Lendl. I had never expected that to happen but it did.

 

[Gazelle]

It's the curse of every pusher. Eventually they get bored of their own game. Even when GOAThood is within reach.

Novak can only save his career if he becomes a S&V player.

 

[Shaolin]

It's the curse of every pusher. Eventually they get bored of their own game. Even when GOAThood is within reach.

Novak can only save his career if he becomes a S&V player.

He's literally boring himself off the tour. Actually does sound legit.