ONE SLUMP OR TWO
Becker says Murray is going through same dip Djok suffered as Agassi admits he will need time as Novak’s new guru
BORIS BECKER has claimed Andy Murray is suffering from the same slump in motivation as Novak Djokovic last year.
And the German legend confessed his surprise that old rival Ivan Lendl has not been “around more” to lift the world No.1.
Murray won Wimbledon, Olympic gold and then five consecutive tournaments to finish 2016 as world No.1 for the first time.
But he has suffered the worst start to a season as a top-ranked player since Pete Sampras in 1999 and before the French Open starts on Sunday said: “I got to No.1 at the end of last year and there’s been some times this year where it has been difficult to keep up the motivation and set new goals.” Becker helped Djokovic complete his career Grand Slam in Paris last year but split with the Serb in December after his dramatic loss of form. The world No.2 held his first training session with new coach Andre Agassi in Paris yesterday. And six-time Grand Slam winner Becker said: “Andy is struggling for motivation like Novak last year. It is tough for these guys – I understand his struggles.” Lendl teamed up with Murray in Paris this week for the first time since the Scot’s early exit at the Australian Open. The agreement is to work for 18 weeks a year.
“I am a little bit surprised that Ivan is not around more,” said Becker (left). “When I was first asked to work for Novak, the original idea was the Grand Slams only.
“But I said, ‘I have to see you more than just a couple of days before Grand Slams. I have to know the ups and downs and really get to know you in lesser tournaments’.
Agassi said: “I hope to support Novak mentally and technically but give me time to learn.”
Becker was speaking at the announcement of a new four-year title sponsorship of the ATP World Tour Finals at The O2, by Japanese company Nitto.