Boris Becker hails Novak Djokovic's 'miracle' achievement as he eyes up Olympic glory
07/23/2024 11:04 AM
Novak Djokovic is preparing for what he has suggested will be his most important tournament of the year at the Olympic Games and his former coach Boris Becker has suggested his build-up to Paris 2024 was ‘close to a miracle’.
Djokovic underwent knee surgery on June 5 after suffering an injury at the French Open, but he was back on court in time to play at Wimbledon just three weeks later.
The seven-time Wimbledon champion did more than just play at the All England Club, as he highlighted his enduring brilliance by making it through to the final against Carlos Alcaraz.
A comprehensive defeat against the young Spaniard was a blow to Djokovic, but tennis great Becker has suggested the Serbian had the perfect warm-up for the Olympics by playing on grass.
“He got injured at the French Open and had a small surgery, so to make the final at Wimbledon was close to a miracle,” said Eurosport tennis expert.
“For him, it was vital to come back as quickly as possible as he has said all year that the Olympics in Paris will one of his big focuses for this year.
Novak Djokovic's Olympic Games record: Will all-time great finally strike gold?
Boris Becker makes candid revelations after he witnessed Novak Djokovic's Olympic agony
“What he did at Wimbledon was great because it meant he had competition, he had matches. He was able to test his knee in match-like conditions and that is the best thing that could have happened to him.
“There is enough time between Wimbledon on grass and the first round of the Olympics in Paris on clay for him to adapt and he will know what to do now.
“Wimbledon was important for him to ensure he is one of the favourites for Paris.”
Djokovic has yet to win a title in 2024 and that is something of a new emotion for a player who has been used to winning consistently over the last decade and more.
Becker was around Djokovic during rare defeats when he was coaching the Serbian and he admits the pain of losing so many matches this year will have hurt him.
“He won’t like that he is losing so much, he will find it frustrating,” added Becker.
“There were reasons why he lost in Melbourne against Jannik Sinner, then he was injured in Paris and was well beaten by an unbelievable player in Carlos Alcaraz at Wimbledon.
“Early on in the season, he said the Olympics was his main goal and that is one of the reasons why I expect to see a very good Djokovic in Paris.
“Look, the competition never sleeps. Even if you have been used to winning every year, this will not last forever for anybody.
“It is normal that you have Alcaraz and Sinner and Zverev coming up and knocking at the door. This is evolution.
“What I can say is I’m happy Novak is still around because you want to see the King, which is Novak, playing against the future kings. These are always the best matches.”
With Sinner’s fitness levels in doubt as he struggles to recover from a fever that has delayed his arrival in Paris, Serbia’s leading man may well be heading for another showdown with Alcaraz as he targets Olympic gold to complete his collection of titles.
Stream every medal and every moment of the Olympic Games Paris 2024 on discovery+
The post Boris Becker hails Novak Djokovic’s ‘miracle’ achievement as he eyes up Olympic glory appeared first on Tennis365.
