Novak Djokovic – why the fan factor is becoming so important now: Serbia’s superstar attacks at the home game in Belgrade

Novak Djokovic could not have paid the spectators in Belgrade a greater compliment.

“The crowd is the wind under my wings,” said the superstar, referring to last season when he won one of two tournaments in the Serbian capital thanks to support from the fans. Two weeks later, Djokovic was also French Open champion.

“I wasn’t quite ready for the tournament. I knew that before it started. But I need match practice and this surface requires a lot of time on the court during training sessions and even more during matches,” said Djokovic, who won the US Masters from Indian Wells and Miami had to skip due to not having a corona vaccination.

Djokovic – the “home game” is just right

Germany’s tennis legend trained the world number one from 2013 to 2016 and knows what role the atmospheric component plays for the veteran. If he is in top form, he can easily live and be successful with headwinds from the ranks. It becomes more difficult when – as at the moment – this is not the case.

Becker: Djokovi’s plan could be like that

“Novak now has to play consistently week after week and stay healthy. With the goal that he might then be in top form for Madrid or Rome and then save them to Paris,” Becker drafted a plan for his former protégé. At Roland Garros at the latest, Djokovic must be in the best shape again, because then he will not only be cheered on from the stands.

• Das Gelbe vom Ball with Boris Becker – the latest episode: