TENNIS-WIMBLEDON/BECKER Becker looks ahead to Wimbledon

Record ID: 151923

  • Title: TENNIS-WIMBLEDON/BECKER Becker looks ahead to Wimbledon
  • Date: 23rd June 2015
  • Summary: LONDON, ENGLAND, UK (NOVEMBER 11, 2014) (REUTERS) DJOKOVIC PRACTICING MADRID, SPAIN (MAY 5, 2015) (REUTERS) ANDY MURRAY PRACTICING
  • Embargoed: 8th July 2015 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Spain
  • Country: Spain
  • Topics: General
  • Reuters ID: LVA55ZLAMJXYZJO0XPGYOVP2AA2R
  • Aspect Ratio: 16:9
  • Story Text: Novak Djokovic's coach Boris Becker said on Monday (June 22) that the world number one will not be taking anything for granted when he starts the defence of his Wimbledon title next week.
    Former three-time Wimbledon champion Becker was alongside Djokovic when he beat Roger Federer in last year's final to win the tournament for the second time, but the German knows that he must start all over again next Monday (June 29).
    "We had a spectacular run last year but it all starts from scratch again, first round will be first round for everybody so it will be another very tough tournament," he said at a promotional event in London on Monday (June 22).
    Among those looking to take Djokovic's crown is Britain's Andy Murray, who has been in fine form this year, winning clay court titles in Monaco and Madrid before winning on grass at the Wimbledon warm-up tournament at Queen's Club for the fourth time on Sunday (June 21).
    "I like Andy, we have a good relationship," said Becker.
    "Obviously I'm coaching his toughest rival, we have to keep it very professional but I've known him for many years. He's in great form, he's four times Queen's Open champion now, one of the favourites to win Wimbledon, but I'm in Novak's corner so I have to support.
    "It's a difficult title to win one time let alone four times. You need to be really comfortable on grass, you need to like the club, Queens, you need to be comfortable on the grass after such a long clay court season, and you have to play with a lot of instinct, and I think that's why Andy and some of the others won it four times."
    World number three Murray beat Djokovic in the 2013 final but since then the Serb has won all eight of their meetings, the most recent being a narrow victory in the semi-final of the French Open.
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