Boris Becker Says Roger Federer Poses A Threat To Novak Djokovic For World No. 1

Boris Becker, the coach of Novak Djokovic of Serbia, takes his seat at the Wimbledon Tennis Championships in London June 27, 2014. REUTERS/Stefan Wermuth REUTERS

Tennis legend Boris Becker says he is feeling pressure of defending the top spot of the world rankings. Becker serves as the coach of current World No. 1 Serbian athlete Novak Djokovic. He said that Roger Federer poses a threat to his protégé because the 17-time Swiss Grand Slam champion has been performing well and has been playing better.

Speaking to Press Association Sport, Becker admitted that Federer has been playing incredibly good in the recent tournaments. Federer ended Djokovic's 28-match winning streak in China in the finale of the 2014 Shanghai Rolex Masters. Federer defeated Djokovic in straight sets 6-4, 6-4.

"I have to admit I feel Roger Federer breathing down my neck," Becker said. "Who would have thought just one year ago, that at this point of this year Roger would have been in the run to close the year at World No. 1?"

According to Becker, Federer just kept "playing better and better" since the Swiss fathered his second set of twins in May. "He plays unbelievable." The six-time German Grand Slam champ also revealed that he was a little concerned when Federer started losing to tennis' least valuable players in 2013. However, Federer proved that it wasn't time for him to give up the sport. After a change of racquet and coach, Federer regained his form and has been playing remarkably.

Becker and Djokovic began working together at the beginning of 2014 and the partnership is going to continue for another year, Tennis World USA reports. Djokovic will play to defend his title at the Masters 1000 of Paris Bercy. The Serbian will also compete at the Barclays Association of Tennis Professionals (ATP) World Tour Finals at the O2 Arena in London.

Latest ATP Rankings as of Oct. 20 (Points)

1. Novak Djokovic (9,010)

2. Roger Federer (8,020)

3. Rafael Nadal (6,745)

4. Stan Wawrinka (4,805)

5. Kei Nishikori (4,265)

6. Marin Cilic (4,150)

8. Andy Murray (3,885)

9. David Ferrer (3,775)

10. Milos Raonic (3,750)

11. Grigor Dimitrov (3,555)

12. Jo-Wilfried Tsonga (2,650)