Novak Djokovic has had a turbulent 2022 season. Earlier this year, he was denied a chance to defend his Australian Open title after his deportation from Australia. Subsequently, he had early exits at the tournaments that saw him lose his world number one ranking. However, the Serb came back strongly to win the Rome Masters title.
Earlier this year, tennis legend Boris Becker was sentenced to prison for two and a half years for hiding £2.5m worth of assets and loans to avoid paying debts after declaring bankruptcy. Becker is a former coach of Djokovic and the duo share a strong bond. The former helped the Serb in winning several Grand Slam titles during their partnership. Recently, Djokovic opened up about being in touch with his former coach.
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Novak Djokovic on supporting Boris Becker during tough times
In an interview at the ongoing 2022 Wimbledon Championships, the former world number one talked about supporting his former coach. Djokovic said, “We haven’t communicated directly, but we have through his girlfriend and his son (they were in Novak’s box). I consider Boris a family member, I care about him, we have been through a lot together. Little gesture of friendship, he knows he can count on me.”
#Djokovic on Becker: We haven’t communicated directly, but we have through his girlfriend and his son (they were in Novak’a box). I consider Boris a family member, I care about him, we have been through a lot together. Little gesture of friendship, he knows he can count on me.
— Saša Ozmo (@ozmo_sasa) June 29, 2022
Boris Becker’s girlfriend Lily de Carvalho and son Noah watched Novak Djokovic beat Thanasi Kokkinakis on Centre Court yesterday. Becker coached Novak Djokovic for three years starting in December 2013. Their partnership resulted in Djokovic winning six of his 20 Grand Slam titles.
Djokovic advances at the Wimbledon Championships 2022
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Yesterday, the 35-year-old had a commanding win over Thanasi Kokkinakis of Australia in the second round of the grass-court Grand Slam tournament. Djokovic was dominant right from the word go, breaking his opponent’s serve in the second game of the opening set. He carried the momentum to take the first set 6-1.
Further, the second set began on a similar note as the first set. The Serb broke Kokkinakis’ serve in the third game of the second set. The break proved to be enough as Djokovic went on to win the set 6-4.
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The tale repeated in the third set, with Djokovic applying pressure early on and taking a 2-0 lead. A backhand error from the Australian gifted Djokovic the set 6-2 as he advanced into the third round of Wimbledon. In the next round, Djokovic will face compatriot, Miomir Kecmanovic.