Assess the Famous Coaches

[Kieran]

Okay, so Boris has been in the widened seat since late last year, and Stefan has worked with Roger since before the Australian Open. Both are part-time coaches, brought in for specific tournaments. Trouble-shooters. High-end experts.

Becker, it seems, was brought in to work on the "mental aspect" of Nole's game, which is inexplicable to me. Boris could be tough as a player - but he could also be a basket case, and his ego seemed huge enough that he could be jolly in defeat. He was no iron-willed warrior like Borg, or Sampras, and mental strength wouldn't be the first trait I'd associate with him.

It isn't the first I'd associate with Nole, either, so maybe there's an understanding of Novak's predicament, and this is what Becker helps with. Sometimes both players could be tough as teak, and other times as brittle as dried straw. Maybe that's where Becker is better placed to help him? I don't know. I read somewhere that it isn't for technical stuff.

Edberg, it seems, is there to help Roger recall how to shorten points. So we're getting used to the spectacle of Roger wheeling forward hopefully like an old black and white photo, rushing to the net and away a volley - or being passed. He's having more success with this tactic, maybe, winning 66% of net points yesterday, which isn't bad, given that he came in on 66 points - roughly once every five points.

How do you assess the effect of these two high profile coaches? Have they made a noticeable difference? Or none at all?

 

[nehmeth]

Well, Novak's volleys have been improving since before Becker. Since Mr. Puffy joined the team though, the lad's volleys have been sharper, crisper, better angled, deeper. He comes in on better shots (most of the time) and has greater confidence (I believe he won 76% of his volleys in the match).

And his overheads?! :snigger Night and day.

Has Becker helped with his focus? Here is what Novak said after the match:

“I could have easily lost my concentration in the fifth and just handed him the win,” Djokovic said. “But I didn’t, and that’s why this win has a special importance to me mentally. Because I managed to not just win against my opponent, but win against myself.”

Would he have done it without Boris? I don't know. But whether in 4 or 5 sets, he did do it, and Boris happened to be the guy that was there. If Boris shows up for Cinci and he wins it and U.S. Open and he beats Ralf in the final, I may give the corpulent, dissipated red-haired guy a two thumbs up.

For now, one thumb up.

Edberg I would give two thumbs up. Have not seen Fed look that good in a long time. Roger's game wasn't just effective it was lethal to everyone except Novak. Hell, I'd give Edberg two thumbs up just because he's Edberg. :clap

 

[Kieran]

But Novak won big five set matches before, against Rafa in Oz and twice against Roger at the USO. Has Boris brought him anything new there?

Good point about the volleys, and I sensed earlier in the year that he was constructing his points with more confidence and surety with regards to net play...

 

[nehmeth]

But Novak won big five set matches before, against Rafa in Oz and twice against Roger at the USO. Has Boris brought him anything new there?

I only said that he was the guy who was sitting in the box, not whether he was or wasn't the reason Novak pushed through the mental blocks. Even if he helped with Nole's "believing", it was still the guy on the court who punched it through.

Approaches, net play and overheads - marked improvement

The serve is better too, except on the big points when it goes away sometimes. :nono

 

[tented]

The serve is better too, except on the big points when it goes away sometimes. :nono

I've noticed that, too. :snigger