{"id":294142,"date":"2023-11-04T14:25:37","date_gmt":"2023-11-04T14:25:37","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sportstoft.com\/?p=294142"},"modified":"2023-11-04T14:25:37","modified_gmt":"2023-11-04T14:25:37","slug":"novak-djokovic-expected-becker-tactics-as-german-highlights-weakness-mid-match","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sportstoft.com\/tennis\/novak-djokovic-expected-becker-tactics-as-german-highlights-weakness-mid-match\/","title":{"rendered":"Novak Djokovic \u2018expected\u2019 Becker tactics as German highlights weakness mid-match"},"content":{"rendered":"

<\/p>\n

Novak Djokovic admitted that he \u201cexpected\u201d to see Boris Becker on his feet spurring on Holger Rune as he faced the Dane at the Rolex Paris Masters. Becker previously worked with Djokovic but is now coaching the world No 7 and could be heard telling his charge about a weakness from his opponent\u2019s side during the match. Djokovic was able to avenge his previous losses to Rune, however, coming through 7-5 6-7(3) 6-4.<\/p>\n

Djokovic came up against his old coach and good friend Becker on Friday night as he faced Rune for the first time since the 20-year-old started working with the six-time Major champion. Ahead of the tournament, the Serb confessed that it wouldn\u2019t be \u201cthat nice or comfortable\u201d seeing the German in his rival\u2019s box when they did meet.<\/p>\n

But he was able to get through it in a thrilling two-hour and 54-minute contest, despite Becker trying to help his player by telling him that Djokovic was struggling mid-match. Rune managed to save a match point on his serve in the second set, eventually forcing a tiebreak.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe\u2019s feeling it too. Keep the points short,\u201d Becker could be heard telling last year\u2019s Paris Masters champion ahead of the tiebreak as Rune appeared to be cramping when he asked for salt. And his tactics worked as the sixth seed was able to force a decider before crashing out in three sets.<\/p>\n

Click here to join our WhatsApp community to be the first to receive breaking and exclusive tennis news<\/strong><\/p>\n

Just in <\/strong> Paris Masters schedule row rumbles on as Andrey Rublev calls out ATP[LATEST] <\/strong><\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

The 55-year-old repeatedly stood up to support Rune throughout the match but it didn\u2019t take Djokovic by surprise as the world No 1 later explained that he knew exactly what Becker was like. \u201cIt wasn\u2019t disturbing. I expected it, I know him well. Three years we worked [together],\u201d Djokovic told Eurosport when asked what it was like seeing Becker on his feet.<\/p>\n

\u201cI know that he obviously prepared Holger very well because he also knows my game very well but we haven\u2019t seen each other much in the last five, six years. My game has evolved a bit, I\u2019m trying to mix things up, not be very predictable. But again it was a big fight and Boris knows very well what it feels like being in a dog battle, going toe-to-toe for the last shot.\u201d<\/p>\n

The 24-time Grand Slam champion was also happy to see Becker back in the circuit, adding: \u201cI love the way he supports his player. He was great for me for three years and we had great success. Whatever happens with the match we still are very close friends and I\u2019m very glad to see him.\u201d<\/p>\n