The mastermind behind Novak Djokovic’s incredible career isn’t just one person; it’s a dynamic team of champions and experts who have come together to shape his journey. He had a solid partnership with coach Marian Vajda that lasted more than 15 years, setting the stage for his greatness. But you know, Djokovic’s journey is really marked by some bold strategic changes, especially when he’s faced with challenges.

One of the biggest game-changers was when six-time Grand Slam champion Boris Becker joined the team at the end of 2013. It was a surprising move, especially since it seemed like the Serb’s dominance was starting to slip a bit. Now, in a revealing recollection, the German legend has detailed the startling moment Djokovic’s team first approached him, a conversation he initially met with blunt skepticism.

According to We Love Tennis, Becker recently shared his thoughts on that crucial call from late 2013. “It was a spectacular moment,” Becker said. “I was surprised he called me because in October 2012, he had lost his number 1 ranking to Rafa and was now only number 2. So his manager called me and asked, ‘Could you imagine becoming his coach?'”

Becker’s candid response highlighted the perceived crisis point in Djokovic’s career. “And I replied, ‘Why?’ He’s no longer number 1 and he’s lost all the Grand Slam tournaments to Rafa Nadal, and, you know, that’s a problem at the highest level.” But you know, their partnership turned out to be super successful in modern tennis, bringing in six Grand Slam titles and helping them get back to the world No. 1 ranking.

It was a relationship grounded in a shared champion’s mindset, and Becker later highlighted the hard work needed to maintain that top position. So, not too long ago, Becker shared a memory he had with the Serb, even though they weren’t actually together at that moment.

This Novak Djokovic moment is something that he can never forget

Boris Becker has frequently called Novak Djokovic his “brother from another mother,” highlighting a bond that has shown its strength away from the spotlight of Centre Court. During his toughest times, this deep connection really became Becker’s lifeline, showing that their relationship was about more than just winning; it was all about sticking together through the rough patches.

Back in April 2022, Becker found himself facing a two-and-a-half-year jail sentence for hiding assets after going bankrupt. It was quite a fall from grace for the tennis legend, who ended up spending time in HMP Wandsworth, known as one of the toughest prisons in the UK. So, Novak Djokovic made sure that Becker’s partner, Lilian, and his oldest son, Noah, were in his player’s box for every match.

This way, Becker could catch a glimpse of his loved ones on TV from his cell. The peak of this support happened during the 2022 Wimbledon final, where Becker caught the match on a small TV from prison. While Djokovic was going head-to-head with Nick Kyrgios, something surprising happened—people started to feel a sense of community within the prison walls.

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“I wasn’t afraid any more. And when Novak won, and raised his arms, I stood up and raised my arms too. As I did so, the noise along the wing broke out again, louder than ever before. The banging didn’t stop for 10 minutes. On walls, on doors. With cups, with chairs. It had taken me two weeks to educate them that this was my man, and now I realised. They had understood. I stood there and I cried,” Becker remembered.

This moment was more than just a celebration of victory; it was a deep human experience where Becker’s past wins and current struggles came together, tearing down the walls of his isolation with a rush of shared feelings and reminding him that he wasn’t forgotten. This experience, thanks to a friend’s loyalty, really changed things for Becker during his 231 days in prison. Even though he’s not his coach anymore, their bond is still really strong.