The coaching relationship between Novak Djokovic and Boris Becker has improved, says Djokovic, but Becker will not describe the two as "friends."
Djokovic pointed to his victory at Rome with both Becker and long-term coach Marian Vajda in the coaching box as a turning point. "We won that tournament, the three of us," Djokovic said following his Wimbledon victory, adding that it was at the clay-court event that he started to understand what Becker "was trying to convey to me."
Vajda and Becker both also attended the French Open, but Djokovic had only Becker in his box at Wimbledon. The Serb said that the German, who was appointed to prepare Djokovic for big matches, was able to provide useful guidance as a former Wimbledon champion.
"He knows exactly what kind of challenges I have to face, mentally, to play a big tournament and big matches," said Djokovic. "He understands very well the movement on the grass and the kind of game plan that can be successful."
But Becker's effect was largely motivational, added Djokovic.
"Boris contributed mostly to me from the psychological perspective, because of his broad experience. At the start, obviously, there was a difference in our characters and in our approaches and routines. We are different people and it took some time for us to get that understanding going," he said.
Becker, 44, also referred to their personality differences, saying their interactions were mostly professional.
"We have an unbelievable amount of respect for one another,” Becker said. “I take him very seriously and I like to think he takes me very seriously. Yes we laugh together and I am close to his other family members, but friends? I would rather not go with him on a bachelor weekend in Ibiza, put it that way."
Becker did, however, attend Djokovic's wedding at Montenegro a week ago.