Becker: Novak better get back to work

BELGRADE: Novak Djokovic lost his momentum in the second half of last season and was toppled as the world No 1 by Andy Murray because his work rate dropped, the Serbian’s former coach Boris Becker said yesterday.

Speaking a day after the two terminated their co-operation, Becker said Djokovic’s need to spend more time with his family had derailed him on the court.

“He didn’t spend as much time on the practice court in the last six months as he should have and he knows that,” said Becker, who helped Djokovic to six Grand Slam titles after they teamed up in December 2013.

“The profession of a tennis player is probably the most selfish one in sports because it has to be about you and he is the first to say he is a family man, so of course his wife and the rest of his family had to take back seats.”

Having completed a career slam when he won his maiden French Open title in June, Djokovic suffered an astonishing loss of form.

“I know the US Open loss in the final against Stan (Wawrinka) hurt,” Becker said.

“I think that is what he needed maybe in a funny way was to lose a little bit. I am sure the fact that he lost the number one ranking to Andy Murray is going to hurt (too).

“But he has got to go back to work.

“He has to go back to the office and practice these hours and refocus on what made him strong in the first place.” – Reuters