Boris Becker has given an interview to the British newspaper The Guardian in which the winner of six Grand Slams has wanted to rule on some of the hottest topics in tennis today.
A Becker who sets himself up as an example of how to achieve success, no matter how complicated it may seem. “If I had asked someone in 1985 ‘can I win Wimbledon?’ the answer would have been ‘no’. And I think 99% of people would have said it would be impossible to defend a title at 18, but I did. So good advice is a double-edged sword. I have children and I give them the best advice I can, but they are the ones who have to find out what is wrong, what is true and what is not, what is possible and what is impossible”.
The German tennis player also spoke about the situation of Emma Raducanu, another figure who, like him, has begun to shine very young but has now stagnated due to injuries: “I think the operations he’s had are, in my opinion, a threat to his career. Having surgery on both wrists and then on the ankle is hard for such a young girl to bear. In addition, tennis is a very different sport when you jump on the court and you have nothing to lose, anyone can play like that. But it changes completely when you are the target to hunt”
However, despite the last few months that Raducanu has been through, Becker believes that the British tennis player can win another Grand Slam title. “I’m not in his inner circle, so I don’t know everything that has happened, but I have seen the coaching changes. But with how young he is and suddenly seeing himself at the top of tennis, you have to try really hard and find the resources and the team around you to help you for 10 years. It’s all about mindset, talent, team, focus and circumstances. It is not the first that has not been able to do it and it will not be the last. But if she’s already been good enough to win one Grand Slam, she’s good enough to win another one too.”
Becker also stated that he believes that the changing of the guard in tennis has already taken place after Carlos Alcaraz’s victory at the last US Open. “I think there has already been a changing of the guard in tennis. Carlos Alcaraz became number one in the world after winning the US Open last year, there is the proof. There are many players knocking on the door like Sinner and Rune. And then there are the Russians. We don’t like to say it, but we have to do it, because they are very good”.
The tennis legend also analyzed the figure of Novak Djokovic, his former pupil, whom he described as a perfectionist but very charming outside the tennis courts. “Clay is not the best surface for Djokovic, but in recent years he has done well. As long as he is healthy and wants to play, he will always be the favorite to win a Grand Slam. Also, Djokovic is someone who is very extroverted and very worldly. He sometimes presents himself as a tennis machine, but when he’s not playing he’s very charming. You can talk to him about business, politics, music… and he’s a nice guy. Also, he is a tennis historian. He knows who the legends have been and he wants to leave his mark, and he already has. He is very perfectionist. He wants to always play the perfect match”.
Finally, Becker acknowledges that he was moved after Djokovic’s victory last year, a triumph that the German lived from prison. “I was very excited when Djokovic won at Wimbledon. It was quite a statement of intent and he is a great friend, so I was very happy. But I also really like Kyrgios and what it brings to competitions. I want to see him healthy and with the same attitude as last year, because he is great for tennis.”
2023-05-26 05:49:12
#changing #guard #tennis #Alcaraz #proof
