Boris Becker, a six-time Grand Slam champion and former coach of Novak Djokovic, has always been an ardent supporter of the world No. 1. However, this year, Becker has revealed that he does not see Djokovic as the clear favorite to win the French Open. This shift in opinion comes after observing Djokovic’s struggles and the competitive landscape of the current tennis season.
Between 2013 and 2016, Becker coached Djokovic to multiple Grand Slam victories and has remained a close friend since. Despite this strong connection, Becker expressed doubts about Djokovic’s ability to defend his title at Roland Garros this year. Reflecting on Djokovic’s recent performances, Becker highlighted that the Serbian star has not secured any tournament wins so far this year, casting uncertainty on his chances at the French Open.
Becker discussed the unpredictable nature of this year’s tournament during an event for Eurosport. He noted that in previous years, Rafael Nadal or Djokovic would have been his go-to picks for the French Open. However, this season has seen various players excelling on clay, making it difficult to single out a dominant contender. Becker mentioned impressive victories by Stefanos Tsitsipas in Monte Carlo, Andrey Rublev in Madrid, Casper Ruud in Barcelona, and Alexander Zverev in Rome as indicators of a more open competition.
The former champion emphasized that the fitness and form of top players, combined with the draw, will significantly influence the outcome of the tournament. Becker admitted that he would typically favor the defending champion, but Djokovic’s lack of titles this year and a challenging early round against Lorenzo Musetti have left the tournament wide open. Djokovic’s five-set win over Musetti, concluding after 3 a.m. in Paris, showcased his tenacity but also highlighted the physical toll of such matches.
Looking ahead, Djokovic aims to regain his rhythm and push for another major title. Yet, with rising stars like Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz in formidable form, the road to victory is fraught with challenges. Becker’s candid analysis underscores the evolving dynamics of men’s tennis and the heightened competition at this year’s French Open.
