Despite winning six Grand Slam titles together, Novak Djokovic and coach Boris Becker have parted company after a hugely successful three years together. Having lost his position as world number one to Andy Murray at the end of 2016, Djokovic is now without a coach, and having held all four Grand Slam titles at the same time just a matter of months ago, will now head into the new season with plenty of unanswered questions. The twelve-time Slam winner exited Wimbledon at the third-round stage earlier this year, before being defeated by Juan Martin Del Potro in the first-round of the Rio Olympics, with Becker questioning the Serbian’s commitment since their parting.
Despite appearing to criticise his former clients work rate, Becker admitted that the decision had been mutual between both parties, with the German continuing to express how much he enjoyed working with Djokovic. Despite losing his world number one spot after 122 weeks at the top, and losing to Murray in the final of the ATP World Tour Finals in London recently, Djokovic will still be among the favourites to defend his Australian Open crown in January, with bookmakers Betway having already 2/1 joint favourite alongside Murray.
Having beaten Murray in the final of both the Australian and French Open, Djokovic seemingly struggled with his fitness for large proportions of the remainder of the campaign, failing to reach the US Open final in September also. Becker has called upon Djokovic to rediscover his commitment for the game, with the German also pointing to ‘personal issues’ that have affected his game. Both Djokovic and Murray are coming to terms with dealing with a young family as well as being at the top of the game, with the Scot seemingly adapting to life the better at the moment.
Murray is one of six British players in the singles draw for the Australian Open, joining Kyle Edmund and Dan Evans in the men’s draw and Johanna Konta, Heather Watson and Naomi Broady in the women’s. Having failed to win the tournament in Melbourne, despite reaching five finals in the past, Murray will finally be hoping to secure the title that has eluded him for so long. Both Andy and Jamie Murray are the favourites to win their respective tournaments, with the brothers ending 2016 at the top of singles and doubles rankings.
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