Djokovic embraces untried Becker

Six-time Grand Slam champion Novak Djokovic said he was happy to take a risk on his untried new coach Boris Becker as he enters a new era under the flamboyant German.

Djokovic, the defending Australian Open champion, defeated Slovakia's Lukas Lacko 6-3, 7-6 (2), 6-1 in Melbourne on Monday.

He said adding Becker to his team, after coach Marian Vajda requested more time with his family, was a potential gamble - but he is excited about his new partnership with the six-time major winner.

"Whenever you make a change in life it's a potential risk, right? How is it going to affect you?" said Djokovic.

"But I don't want to think from that perspective. I'm really excited about this cooperation. I'm excited about this partnership that I have with Boris that also has been approved and supported by Marian, who is still on the team.

"They have great communication. All I see is positive results. I cannot predict or promise anything now."

Djokovic denied that Andy Murray's successful partnership with Ivan Lendl had prompted him to hire Becker, a trend followed by Roger Federer (Stefan Edberg) and Kei Nishikori (Michael Chang), among others.

"I've been asked that question before. But no, it didn't affect my decision," Djokovic said.

He said he hoped to gain mainly a mental edge from working with Becker, who will split coaching duties with Vajda this season.

Djokovic and Becker have been working together for a couple of weeks, but have yet to hit together because the German, 46, recently had surgery on his ankle.

"Obviously he's one of the big names in the sport, has won over 60 titles, Grand Slams, Davis Cup," said Djokovic, who has been poring over video of Becker's matches from the 1980s and 1990s.

"You know, I have the utmost respect for what he has achieved in his career.

"He had such a great serve. Obviously at the time the construction of the point was different. Everything was faster; served and volleyed many times.

"But tennis has evolved in a way because of the technology. Now the game is based on the baseline, longer rallies and so forth.

"Well, I believe with his great volleys, that aggressive kind of mindset also, from that point of view he can help me."

Djokovic said he thinks the presence of so many former champions in the coaching ranks will be a boon for the sport, as well as the players.

- Agence France-Presse