Boris Becker: Novak Djokovic’s “lifetime dream” to win the goat debate, “the perfect” Roger Federer is “too good to be true”

[ad_1]

Boris Becker says Novak Djokovic is one step closer to achieving the “dream of his life” after his recent success at the Australian Open.

Djokovic was in strong form in Melbourne, dropping just one set on his way to a record-tying tenth title at the event.

The win also saw him move level with Rafael Nadal’s 22nd Grand Slam title as the two male players with the most Grand Slam titles in the Open Era.

Australian Open Championship

What makes Djokovic so hard to beat at the Australian Open?

9 hours ago

Speaking on Eurosport Germany’s ‘Das Gelbe vom Ball’ tennis podcast, Becker said that Djokovic’s entire career thus far has been focused on being the absolute best and that this latest win will only help him achieve that goal.

“Novak is 35 and he knows that at 40 he won’t manage this performance,” he said. “I think it will be a hell of a ride after the Australian Open. It will be a completely different job and a completely different load in Paris and Wimbledon.

“Success is his life’s dream, he wants to become the most successful player in history.

“Even as a child he said: I will be the best – and he was right. Now he has reached his limit.”

Djokovic and Nadal are still locked in a battle for Grand Slam supremacy after Roger Federer retired last year.

The Swiss superstar called time on his career by reaching 20 majors – a feat he fared ahead of his court rivals – with his last title also at the 2018 Australian Open.

Despite not finishing with the most Grand Slams, Becker believes Federer’s legacy remains untouched and that his influence does in fact extend beyond the sport.

“Maybe he’s an ambassador of sports, not just tennis. The world hasn’t seen anything like this yet. You can take soccer players, basketball players, track and field athletes. That’s the whole package Roger Federer – then he also grew up in neutral Switzerland.”

“With Roger, everything is fine, almost too good to be true. This will never happen again in tennis and that is also why tennis has become a global sport. Good luck to the guys who want to take charge.”

McEnroe on Djokovic’s Grand Slam tally: ‘I could easily see him win at least three more’

Becker believes that no matter what happens in the pursuit of the most Grand Slam titles, time will be against both Djokovic and Nadal.

The six-time major winner expects their illustrious and respected careers to come to an end, which means the door is open to a new generation of superstars.

Still, Becker believes the ‘Big Three’ have effectively outgrown the sport, and the task for the latest batch of talent to replicate what we’ve seen from Federer, Nadal and Djokovic is daunting.

“We are witnessing a generational change right now,” he added. “Roger Federer is already gone, Rafael Nadal is one step away for me. He will play Paris, after that I see a question mark.

Novak Djokovic will definitely go through this season, but if he makes 23 [Grand Slams] And he turns 36 next year, so it’s only a matter of time. Generational change is happening now.

“I mean, that’s a hurdle from hell. One is winning Grand Slams, the other is representing the sport. With Federer, Nadal and Djokovic, we had three idols who not only appealed to tennis fans, but sports fans in general. This made our sport more global and richer. This The reason for having this prize money is advertising investment.

“That becomes the big challenge for the boys: not only to win, but also to represent something – and that’s a whole other construction site.”

Australian Open Championship

Djokovic makes history as he returns to world No. 1 after winning the Aus Open

12 hours ago

Australian Open Championship

“I broke down emotionally” – Djokovic opens to a box hug amid wild celebrations

Yesterday at 15:08

[ad_2]