Boris Becker Shares Why Roger Federer was Novak Djokovic’s ‘Number One Nemesis’ at Wimbledon

Novak Djokovic will next feature at the Shanghai Masters, where last year, he lost to Jannik Sinner.

Boris Becker Shares Why Roger Federer was Novak Djokovic’s ‘Number One Nemesis’ at Wimbledon

Novak Djokovic, Boris Becker, Roger Federer (Image via Daily Express, X/The Tennis Letter)

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Novak Djokovic has often talked about how he was affected by fans’ adoration for Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal. Djokovic is the only member of the Big 3 yet to hang up his racket.

Serena Williams’ former coach, Patrick Mouratoglou, recently claimed that the reason why Djokovic is still playing is because he is finally getting the recognition he deserves for his achievements. Djokovic’s former coach, Boris Becker, recalled the time when he was in the Serb’s team and how he had to explain to his then protege that the crowd did not hate him, that they only loved Federer more.

Roger was already his number one nemesis, especially at Wimbledon. A, because he was so good, and B, because he was so loved. So, you always play against Roger Federer and the Centre Court, and I was able to explain to him that these people are not against you; they are only for Roger Federer, so don’t take it personally, and then try harder to find a way for them to love you eventually.

Boris Becker said during the High Performance podcast

Under Becker, Djokovic won six of his 24 Grand Slam titles and also completed the Career Grand Slam. Becker joined Nole’s team in 2014, and the two parted ways two years later.

Against Federer, Djokovic edged 27-23 in the head-to-head matchups, also winning their last encounter in the semifinal of the 2020 Australian Open. It was back in 2019 that they last met in a Wimbledon final, with Djokovic winning the match in five sets.

Patrick Mouratoglou on Novak Djokovic’s mentality change after defeats to Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz

Novak Djokovic had a great season in 2023 as he clinched seven titles and missed the Calendar Grand Slam due to his five-set defeat to Carlos Alcaraz in the Wimbledon final. Then in 2024, Djokovic did not win a title before the Paris Olympics by beating Alcaraz.

Novak Djokovic (via X/The Tennis Letter)
Novak Djokovic (via X/The Tennis Letter)

Djokovic was last seen in action at the US Open, where his run was ended by eventual champion Alcaraz in four sets in the semifinals. He played the semifinals of all four Majors this year.

At the Australian Open, Alexander Zverev received a walkover from him, while at the French Open and Wimbledon, he lost to Jannik Sinner. Patrick Mouratoglou has found a change in Djokovic’s mentality because of his defeats to Alcaraz and Sinner.

He didn’t say it that way, but clearly meant ‘I have no chance’. I see more of a change of mindset that has consequences on his physical than a change of physical, because he started to lose against them literally three months at the Australian Open after playing one of the best seasons of his career, with again three Grand Slam titles and one final.

Patrick Mouratoglou said on Instagram

Sinner and Alcaraz are competing at the China Open and the Japan Open, respectively. Last year in Beijing, Sinner was denied his second consecutive title by Alcaraz. Sinner and Alcaraz have so far clinched two and seven titles, respectively, this season.

Novak Djokovic will play the Shanghai Masters

Djokovic has confirmed that he will next be seen in action at the Shanghai Masters, the penultimate Masters 1000 event of the season, scheduled to start on October 1. Last year, he ended the season after his defeat to World No.2 Sinner in the Shanghai Masters final.

Novak Djokovic
Novak Djokovic (via Punto de Break)

Djokovic has four Shanghai Masters titles to his name, last winning the title in 2018 by beating Borna Coric. He has clinched 40 ATP Masters 1000 titles, with the last title in this category being the 2023 Paris Masters, which he claimed by beating Grigor Dimitrov.

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