A newly engaged Boris Becker offers some free coaching to Roger Federer: drop Davis Cup and quit being so nice to Rafael Nadal.
He also diagnoses Federer with a Nadal-Komplex (is that a disease or a tennis player?) and gets a good dig in at Lleyton Hewitt. Becker also finds parallels with his own career – really fascinating stuff.
Wait, is Boris Becker just offering friendly advice or is he angling to be Roger Federer’s next coach? Get in line, buddy. . .
Becker’s article appeared last week in the Swiss newspaper, Blick. I’ve done my best with google translate and the help of a Fed fan. Click here for the original article. (And click here for more on Boom Boom’s engagement)
“Roger, drop Davis Cup!”
By Boris Becker | 15:38 | 22.02.2009
Roger Federer is in the most difficult phase of his career. Here’s what “Ex-Tennis-Crack” Boris Becker advises to the multiple Laureus World Sportsman winner.This phase that Roger Federer is in is not easy. I can feel what is happening. But I’m convinced that it’s not a crisis. It’s much more a pure Nadal complex.
Federer is motivated, he radiates joy when playing. This was seen in Melbourne. He was superior to his opponents, played freely. And then came Nadal. I can see it, he visibly cramps up. This is due to Roger’s lack of experience playing against players who can meet him eye-to-eye.
Federer was untouchable for many years. He didn’t know this situation of having a real opponent. Suddenly, Nadal appeared in Paris. And this was probably an ‘Aha!’ experience for both. Someone came from zero to a hundred into his kingdom and now this person has even defeated Roger on a hard court. Such defeats sit deep.
For me one of the worst defeats was in the semifinals at Roland Garros, when I clearly led against Stefan Edberg before he took me in the fifth set. That stayed with me. It took a while for me to process it. Young challengers are tough to overcome mentally. When I saw Sampras rising at Wimbledon, I brooded over the situation for a long time. It was almost like a midlife crisis for me, you start thinking that he is younger, faster, unspent. You focus everything on that one player and how to play him, no longer playing instinctively, thinking too much.
Like Federer in Melbourne. He broke immediately, but lost his service again. That was an exclamation point of nervousness. But I am convinced that Nadal is not shortening Roger’s career, but will extend it. For Federer it must have been boring to play against players of the caliber of Hewitt and to win every time. He is an intelligent player who can learn, train even harder.
Borg lost Wimbledon to McEnroe once and then stopped. But Federer sees it as a challenge. What he needs to change is his attitude towards Nadal. I’m always surprised at how nice he is. He can like him off the court but only there. On court he needs to be aware and needs to think: “He cost me the last three or four Grand Slams. Without him I would have long been the greatest in history. He wants to take something away from me. Today he is my worst enemy. And I am his.”
I am convinced that Federer remains motivated. If he eventually starts being eliminated in the semis on a regular basis then he will not be motivated any longer. But as he has been in the last four major finals and has won one of these, this is far from a crisis.
He needs to set priorities. This means that he should leave the Davis Cup. I also did the same, and in Germany they nearly crucified me. But that same year, I became number 1 in the world – and everyone was satisfied.
What do you think? Should Roger Federer take Boris Becker under advisement?
Who should be Roger's new Super-Coach? Total Voters: 362
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Photo: Andrew Brownbill/AP
Tags: Australian Open, Boris Becker, Federer, Nadal, tennis
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Okay, so as Fedophiles, do tell, do you guys think Roger needs a coach or go solo as he’s been going?
In my opinion, he definitely should get a coach.. 2008 it’s the only year he played on his own and it’s the worst in his career and I don’t think mononucleosis was the only reason
I am a big Brad Gilbert fan, and even though everyone says it’s an impossible match, I really think he could make a big difference for Roger. That’s what Brad does – just look at the improvement he made to Andy Murray (I credit Brad with Andy’s progress, even though Andy dumped him) and of course he helped Roddick to his lone Major title and set Agassi back on track, too.
I don’t think Roger has that much to improve upon, but I do think he needs a forceful change-agent to work on the things that he does need to tweak. Roger’s problem is that he’s stubborn and admits to hate working on weaknesses – so even though the room for improvement is relatively small, Fed’s refusal to work on what is wrong is really hindering him against Nadal (sorry Babz, I know for you that’s a good thing!) I don’t see Brad tiptoeing around this issue – he’s going to plow right through it regardless of the consequences. And even if Roger dropped him, I think Brad’s personality would be strong enough to make an impression (as he did with Andy Murray.)
That said, I think there’s about a 3% chance that Roger would actually hire Brad Gilbert.
My thoughts were somewhere along that line (Roger’s hard headed, hates to admit weakness) but I wanted to know what you guys (who surely knows him better) have to say.
And yes, even though I am through and through a Rafanatic, no fight, no glory, yes? In my own way I heart Roger you know.
1. Roger needs a mental coach more than anything, was obvious when watching the Aussie final, and Becker outlines this very well.
2. Roger is truly truly stubborn. I’ll admit though, this isnt new news. Everyone has told him in the past, “YOU NEED A COACH”. But he went practically coachless for 2+ years and won almost every slam. I think this is where his stubborness stems from.
3. Roger needs to be open-minded about outside help. His entourage could use a fresh set of opinions. Darren Cahill has already shown Roger what he can offer to him, by tuning Verdasco to the mental+physical machine he was @ the Oz semi’s against Rafa. (that should have been the final, IMO)
p.s. – whats Verdasco been up to?? Havent seen him on the news radar lately!
I don’t think Roger is capable of coaching….he tends to be too close-minded i.e. his statement that he doesn’t try to improve his weaknesses but only focuses on his strong points. Roger needs to be willing to change some parts of his game….to adapt. He had no real tough competition until Nadal came on the scene. Frankly I think playing DC would help him….the more matches he plays, and wins, the greater his self-confidence will be. As for Becker….he was a great in his day, but these later years show a man without maturity in his life, as evidenced by his many financial and personal problems. He would not be someone I would take any serious advice from now.
Hi lynney!
I agree with you on DC helping build the confidence – plus I really, really want Roger to play! And he said it was a priority for this year but. . . oh well.
I agree that Becker isn’t one to offer personal/marital advice, but I think his tennis advice is right on. Roger need to accept Nadal’s challenge and face it head on. Don’t think he’s really done that yet.
Verdasco is recovering from a strained tendon in his ankle….no DC for him.
I think Boris makes a good point about Roger having too much of a nice guy attitide towards Rafa. I also like his viewpoint that Rafa will extend Roger’s career. But i cant help but feel the loss down under after the Wimbledon loss has deeply hurt Roger. I dont think Becker’s loss against Edberg was the same. I also don’t think Boris should be his coach. Cahill seems to be the man for the job now. I just think Roger has to take another angle against Rafa and a coach may help him with that. The best coach for Roger would probably be Sampras but i dont think that will happen.
Hey Ru-an – Don’t know about Becker’s feelings re: Edberg, but I definitely agree that Roger needs to be a little more aggressive in how he treats Rafael Nadal on the court. He has to relish it more – like he seems to when he plays Andy Roddick or Novak Djokovic.
Hi freakyfrites is this is your blog right? This must be the best tennis blog i know of, great job! Well that is the big thing isnt it, how does Roger deal with Rafa? I have analyzed it to pieces already in my own blog lol. To me it comes down to belief, he clearly struggles with that against Rafa, and Rafa only. Boris is spot on what he says about Roger never having had a real rival before, its been so easy for him. The conditions sure does not favor him much these days but he can’t let Rafa dominate him the way he has recently anyway.
He must find a way to get that belief back, he has beaten Rafa before. If it means getting a coach then he must do it. Once again i dont think its as much an issue of Roger not knowing how to beat Rafa, surely by now he knows he needs to go to the net more. Its a question of belief and if a coach would help him with that then he must use one. I think its about time he experiment with that, he’s got nothing to lose really. He does seem like a very stubborn individual at times though. For instance the way he keeps trying to beat Rafa at his own game. Makes me crazy lol.
Ps. Do you mind if i use that translated article in my blog? Im not 100% sure about using it yet but would you mind? I would credit you of course.
Hi Ru-an,
I agree 100 percent – it’s all about the belief! From the moment Rog took the court against Nadal in Melbourne, I saw something different in his eyes than usual – a lack of confidence. It was hard to watch. The right coach could help, as could playing more, as could some stroke of luck – who knows! Just hope it happens.
Glad you like my blog – and good job on yours as well. Feel free to use the article, and of course I always appreciate the credit!
Ok thanks i appreciate it
Talking of stroke of luck Rafa’s injuries might just be the luck Roger requires. Its not something that you would wish on Rafa but lets be honest he has had his luck with the conditions on the tour favoring him and all. I think Roger deserves a break for a change!
Hi freakyfrites just wanted to let you know i tried leaving a comment on your latest entry about Roger as well and it said no search results?! You might wana check that out.
Thanks Ru-an for letting us know! We really appreciate it!
Thanks, Ru-an! We fixed the problem and everyone can leave comments now!
Ok i get it you are two guys writing this blog, no wonder i cant keep up LOL! Great job!