Wimbledon 2015: Novak Djokovic at centre of ‘cheat’ row as coach Boris Becker confirms use of special signals
London: On the eve of Wimbledon 2015 that kicks off on Monday, reigning World Champion Novak Djokovic has found himself to be at the centre of a cheat row as his coach Boris Becker confirms the use of special signals.
28-year-old Djokovic, who will battle it out for a third men’s singles title, will not be pleased after what his coach has revealed. According to a report in the ‘Mirror’, Becker has shockingly stated the pair use special signals during matches.
Germany-born tennis legend Becker, who coached the World No 1 to a second Wimbledon championship last year, was asked on a radio channel about Djokovic talking to the players’ box during a match. “I think there is a bond, a relationship, an understanding of the player and coach. Obviously, I’ve got my job and it’s a very intimate relationship because it’s one on one,” Becker said.
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And then the answer which stunned the sporting world. “There are moments when he looks up and he needs assurance that what he is doing is right. And then we have our ways about it to tell him it’s good or tell him it’s bad. And then it’s up to him to change it,” Becker added.
On-court coaching is banned during matches according to ATP and ITF rules. The ITF rule states: “Players shall not receive coaching during a match (including the warm-up). Communications of any kind, audible or visible, between a player and a coach may be construed as coaching.”
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However, Djokovic has previously been fined for on-court coaching. In 2011, at the Australian Open, the Serbian ace was slapped with a fine to the tune of $1,500 for on-court coaching and also received a $2,000 fine two years later for the same offence.
Couple of years ago, Stanislas Wawrinka targeted Toni Nadal for illegally coaching his nephew Rafa during a match – with ‘Uncle Toni’ later admitting he had talked to the Spanish star during contests.
