Patience is the key for Djokovic, says Becker

Sheikh Mansour bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum presents a plaque to German tennis legend Boris Becker. -Wam

Tennis legend Boris Becker believes that his former charge Novak Djokovic is as good as new after an injury lay-off and said that the Serb has it in him to make a return to the top.
Djokovic, who has won 12 Grand Slams so far, has been battling injuries, most notably to his right elbow. The 30-year-old retired during his Wimbledon quarterfinal match against Tomas Berdych last year and although he returned at the Australian Open this season, his loss to Hyeon Chung in Melbourne, forced Djokovic to undergo surgery.
Djokovic is slowly making a comeback and Becker, who coached the Serb for three years during which he won six Grand Slams, said that patience would be the key.
"I think he is injury free now," Becker told media during the opening ceremony of the Nad Al Sheba Sports Tournament at the Nad Al Sheba Sports Complex.
"He was injured for a long time, he didn't play for six or seven months. And it takes time to come back after an injury, to trust your elbow, to get back into form. I think he is back with the right team, his old coach (Marian) Vajda is back and I personally like Novak a lot. He is a close friend of mine and I wish him nothing but the best. If he keeps a discipline and the patience, he can come back," added the six-time Grand Slam champion.
Djokovic and Becker parted ways after a trophy-laden stint and the former is now back with his old coach and long-time friend Marian Vajda. Djokovic is currently ranked No.18 in the world.
Meanwhile, Becker was effusive in his praise for another player who is a legend in the making - Roger Federer. The Swiss ace, who returned to the World No.1 spot for the fifth time in his career, is still going strong at 36. And Becker believes age is just a number and said that it is a delight to watch the maestro play.
"I think he has not lost his game. That's the main explanation. He is very passionate about tennis. Age is nothing but a number for him. He doesn't look 36, play like he is 36. He is still very fresh and enjoys it and I think it is wonderful to see," said the 50-year-old.
Becker also backed young gun Alexander Zverev to be the next big thing for German tennis. "I'm very happy that Germany has Sascha. He is the next big thing. He is playing in Rome this week and he is doing very well," Becker said.
Zverev, known as 'Sascha', beat Djokovic and Federer at the Italian Open and Canada Masters respectively and the 21-year-old, at World No.3, is the youngest player in the ATP top 20.
james@khaleejtimes.com