Exclusive - Boris Becker on Novak Djokovic Grand Slam chase: ‘When you’ve licked gold you’re not satisfied with silver'
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ByEurosport
Updated 13/01/2023 at 17:52 GMT
Speaking ahead of the 2023 Australian Open, the former two-time winner of the first Grand Slam of the year, Boris Becker, has told Eurosport that he still thinks that Novak Djokovic is the favourite for the tournament, even if he is maybe not an overwhelming favourite. He also said that the Serbian star is still being driven by his pursuit of Grand Slams in a race to be the best ever.
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Two-time Australian Open champion and Eurosport expert, Boris Becker, has said that Novak Djokovic can feel the quest to be the best ever “in the depths of his soul” ahead of the first Grand Slam of the year.
Djokovic, who was unceremoniously excluded from last year’s tournament due to not being vaccinated against Covid-19, has returned to Australia in 2023 and enters the men’s draw as the favourite, ahead of long-time rival and defending champion, Rafael Nadal.
And Becker, who will work as an expert for Eurosport during the event, believes that whilst Djokovic is the favourite, he is not an outright favourite like he has been in the past.
“The favourite, yes, also the top favourite, but not as clear as in the past,” Becker told Eurosport of Djokovic.
"The Rod Laver Arena is his living room, he feels most comfortable there and has won the title nine times.
“He recently won the preparatory tournament in Adelaide by beating Sebastian Korda in the final, and before that, defeated strong opponents Daniil Medvedev and Denis Shapovalov in the semi-finals and quarter-finals, respectively.
"Novak had a very unhappy time in Australia last year and was eventually expelled. I'm glad that this episode is no longer the main topic and that it's all about sport again.
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“But it won't be an easy tournament. The expectations are high, and Novak wants to equal Nadal's Grand Slam record. In addition, he seems to have something wrong with his thigh and is probably not at 100 per cent.”
With Roger Federer retired, the race for the men’s Grand Slam singles record is now a two-horse race between Nadal and Djokovic. At the start of 2023, Nadal leads the race by one, 22 to 21.
Becker thinks that will drive Djokovic on from the very depths of his soul.
When you've licked gold, you're not satisfied with silver.
“In the depths of his soul, Novak wants to become the most successful tennis player of all time. At the moment, that's Nadal, you have to say that clearly.
“This record of Nadal's is the highest priority for Djokovic. Anything else would not be credible.”
There are some doubts over Nadal’s form coming into the tournament he won last year, but Becker says that after that remarkable win in 2022 you cannot bet against the Spaniard.
“As long as this guy is around, I would never bet against him," he said. "Let's remember last year: he actually had no chance, arrived in Australia and played a Challenger competition to prepare. Nobody took that seriously, many even smiled. Two weeks later, Nadal won the Australian Open.
“He is an incredible competitor, and if he didn't have a chance, he wouldn't play. On top of that, he can see Djokovic rushing in with one eye. Maybe Rafa thought he had him beat in Grand Slams, but then Novak won at Wimbledon. Fabulous, that duel!
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“I am a big Nadal fan. He is an absolute role model for young players and exemplifies what can be achieved with attitude, discipline and pure will. In my ranking of the favourites for Melbourne, he comes in second.”
Becker was also asked who he was looking at as a potential favourite should neither Djokovic or Nadal end up winning in Melbourne.
For him there was a clear third favourite behind the two legends.
“Daniil Medvedev is flying under the radar, but for me he is the third favourite. He had a somewhat weaker second half of 2022 by his standards, but he should never be underestimated.
“He has reached the final in Melbourne in the past two years, and even if no one says it, no one likes to play against Daniil, especially in three winning sets.
"He is not called the chess player of the tennis scene for nothing and is a formidable opponent."
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