Boris Becker
Boris Becker, coach of Novak Djokovic of Serbia, applauds as Djokovic receives his trophy following his win over Andy Murray of Britain in their men's singles final match at the Australian Open 2015 tennis tournament in Melbourne February 1, 2015. REUTERS/Thomas Peter REUTERS/Thomas Peter

Tennis legend Boris Becker has downplayed Novak Djokovic’s chances of becoming the greatest tennis player of all time after the Serbian tennis star’s exceptional campaign in the recent years. Instead, Becker shared his weighty admiration for Federer and the accomplishments the Swiss was able to achieve in the sporting world of tennis.

The six-time grand slam champion was speaking to Le Parisien’s Alain Jouteau ahead of this week’s BNP Paribas Masters in Paris Bercy, which Becker had won three times (1986, 1989, and 1992), where he shared his insights about a number of topics related to tennis, among which was his thoughts on Djokovic and if the Serbian tennis ace can become the greatest player of all time.

Djokovic is having the best season this year, making it in all four finals of a grand slam tournament and winning three (Australian Open, Wimbledon, and US Open). This season is a repeat of Djokovic’s famed 2011 season when he also won the aforementioned grand slam events.

Although Djokovic is seven titles away from Federer’s record of 17 grand slams, he is already averaging two grand slam titles a year. At 28, he is at the peak of his career and can equal or even surpass Federer’s slam record in four years time. The chances of even surpassing Rafael Nadal’s 14 grand slam record are extremely high. Despite Djokovic’s dominance, Becker kept his modesty and refused to sing his own praises for his Serbian pupil.

“We will see once he (Djokovic) has ended his career,” Becker said. “Federer is already the greatest player of all time and he continues to write history, he won 17 grand slam tournaments, it’s huge, but Novak’s fit, he won three grand slams this year alone.”

Djokovic is nearly unbeatable as he has improved his win-loss record to an astounding 74-5 with his recent win over Brazilian Thomaz Bellucci in Paris Bercy on Tuesday. It is the fifth time in his career that he has crossed the 70-win mark (74-9/2013, 75-12/2012, 70-6/2011, and 78-19/2009).

The World No. 1 Serb is looking to cap his 2015 season by successfully defending his title in Paris, where he will play Gilles Simon next in his bid to win his 10th title this season, as well as the season’s final tournament at Barclays ATP World Tour Finals in London.

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