Boris Becker, who just published a new book, says that he has “the utmost respect” for Roger Federer, but writes that the Swiss and Novak Djokovic don't like each other.
The German's new book is called "Wimbledon: My Life and Career at the All England Club.”
"They [Federer and Djokovic] don't particularly like each other. The reason Roger is one of the highest-paid athletes of all time is because he’s liked by everybody,” Becker said. “But think about this—you can’t possibly be liked by everybody... He makes good money out of his image, but would he make less if we saw a bit more of his true feelings?"
The 47-year-old Becker, who won six Grand Slams, has been working with Djokovic since December 2013.
Becker also sees current players revealing less of their personality in general, saying, “People occasionally put it to me that tennis is more boring now than when I played, and when I ask them why they say there are fewer characters. I reply that we have great characters, but it’s true they don’t show it as much because they can’t. They get fined and there are microphones on the court that pick up every curse or utterance in frustration. As a result, it’s very difficult to verbalize your frustration nowadays because everyone hears it and you go back to the locker room to face a fine of $10,000 or $20,000 or even more.”
Former No. 1 Lindsay Davenport, who is a broadcaster for Tennis Channel, says that she was surprised by Becker. “Becker will do what he wants to do,” said Davenport. “I got to think Novak isn't going to be happy... Novak has been such a class act that he won’t be happy what he said.”
Yesterday on twitter, Becker wrote a response to media stories about his comments.