Boris Becker: 'Novak Djokovic made right and legitimate move'

Novak Djokovic and Boris Becker were among the most successful player & coach duo in the game's history during their time together. The German led the Serb towards a Career Grand Slam, six Majors and 14 Masters 1000 crowns, working with Djokovic throughout his dominant seasons on the Tour. Becker and Djokovic have remained friends, and Boris was there to congratulate Novak when he won that epic Wimbledon title against Roger Federer in July 2019. In his recent interview, the six-time Major winner defended his former pupil and his letter to Craig Tiley. Becker said that Novak didn't have bad intentions and only wanted to improve the players' quarantiner ahead of the season's first Major. Seventy-two players can't leave the room during the Melbourne quarantine, making their Australian Open preparations extremely difficult. Novak pointed out some things that could have been improved. Still, the Austrian government and health authorities didn't even want to listen to that, saying they are already doing everything they can for the players inside the bubble.

Boris Becker stood on Novak Djokovic's side after another controversy.

"The points he wrote down were absolutely right and legitimate. You get the feeling Djokovic can do whatever he wants at the moment; he just gets a lot of criticism. In this case, really unjustified. He tried to stand up for the players and create fair conditions for everyone but was sharply criticized, even by the country's prime minister. I think it's vital for Australia and primarily Melbourne that the players come to Melbourne. It's good for the city and for the economy. The country and the city benefit, and then you have to treat the players more fairly and respectfully. There are 70 players affected, out of a field of 128 players. A third is certainly in adverse conditions in Australia.

When they come out of quarantine, they haven't even been out in the fresh air, haven't played tennis. No matter how many steps they've taken in the room, they haven't played ball, and then they have a week to prepare for best-of-five matches, at least for the men, in the warm conditions. That task doesn't really work. All the winter preparation was for nothing. You have to ask yourself whether these are fair conditions for everyone. As an organizer, you have to ask yourself: is this right, is this reasonable?" Boris Becker said.

from Tennis World USA https://ift.tt/2KGGPga