‘I coached Novak Djokovic but his rival is the most important sportsman of all time’ | Tennis | Sport
Boris Becker has branded Roger Federer “the most important sportsman of all time” despite spending three years working with Novak Djokovic. The retired German tennis legend joined Djokovic’s team at the end of 2013 and guided him to six Grand Slam titles, including a long-awaited first French Open crown.
They have maintained a great relationship ever since, but Becker believes that the Serbian superstar’s biggest rivals, Federer, has been more important for the sporting world. Now aged 44, Federer is set to be inducted into the International Tennis Hall of Fame, having retired at the 2022 Laver Cup, with his last official singles match coming at Wimbledon in 2021.
The 20-time Grand Slam champion recently learned of the news during a visit to Swiss tennis, where he was surrounded by up-and-coming players from his home country, while fellow retired legends and Hall of Famers congratulated him via video call.
One of them was Becker, who told the former world No. 1: “You really put tennis on a different map. Whenever you started winning, people that had nothing to do with tennis liked tennis.
“It was because of you. So you’re not only one of the best players in tennis of all time, you’re the most important sportsman of all time.”
Becker wasn’t the only one who sent his well-wishes to the new Hall of Famer. Kim Clijsters broke the news to Federer while Martina Hingis and Billie Jean King paid tribute to Federer and his career.
The Swiss star’s old coach and six-time Major winner, Stefan Edberg, told him: “Congratulations [on] being part of the Tennis Hall of Fame. You really, really deserve it. You’ve had an incredible career and 20 Grand Slam titles tells it all.”
Federer, who will be inducted into the International Tennis Hall of Fame during a ceremony in Newport next year, said: “It’s a tremendous honor to be inducted into the International Tennis Hall of Fame and to stand alongside so many of the game’s great champions.
“Throughout my career, I’ve always valued the history of tennis and the example set by those who came before me. It was very special to receive the news at Swiss Tennis, surrounded by the next generation of players — the place where my own journey first began.
“To be recognised in this way by the sport and by my peers is deeply humbling. I look forward to visiting Newport next August to celebrate this special moment with the tennis community.”
