WIMBLEDON CHAMPION NOVAK Djokovic has denied accusations of cheating despite admitting top players routinely break the rules by communicating with their coaches during matches.
Tennis governing body rules forbid coaches from instructing their players in the middle of matches.
But Djokovic’s coach Boris Becker has revealed the Serb’s back-room staff “have our ways” of signalling to the world number one on court “to tell him it’s good or it’s bad”.
With Djokovic due to start his Wimbledon title defence against Germany’s Philipp Kohlschreiber on Centre Court on Monday, he was quizzed about the trend for on-court coaching when he faced the media for the annual champions’ press conferences at the All England Club on Sunday.
The 28-year-old rejected suggestions his on-court communication with Becker represents a significant rule breach, but he did concede the practice is widespread.
“I don’t think that we’re cheating, I don’t think that’s how you can call it,” Djokovic said.
“I think with all the cameras pointed out to him (Becker) and to the box, I think you would already notice if he would just kind of go kick serve, slice, to do the backhand or forehand.
“But we can’t pretend like that’s not happening in tennis.
“Of course there are situations when it happens, and not just with the top players, with everybody.
“This is a very competitive sport. You’re alone on the court.”
The on-court coaching rule clearly 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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The new schedule has allowed players have an extra week off before Wimbledon. AELTC / Florian Eisele
AELTC / Florian Eisele / Florian Eisele
But Djokovic said it wasn’t unfair if there was some kind of communication with a coach because so many players indulge in the practice.
“Of course there are certain rules but also there are times when the team of the player communicates with the player when he gets to go and take the towel in the corner, which is closer to the box, or in different ways,” he added.
“I think it’s all fine as long as it’s not regular, I think it just depends.
“Also that’s up to the chair umpire or supervisor to decide if somebody’s breaking the rules or not.
“I think as long as it’s something that you can tolerate, let’s say, within the ways of communication, I think it’s fine.”
Meanwhile, players and fans alike will be eagerly anticipating the start of Wimbledon on Monday.
The Championships were pushed back for this year to allow players a three-week rest period between the end of the French Open and their first assignments in SW19.
That calendar change extended the grass-court season and enabled the world’s top players to fine-tune their game on the surface ahead of the third grand slam of the year.
But as the wait for Wimbledon to commence nears its end, some of the leading contenders in the men’s and women’s draws are negotiating their own personal waiting games.
For Djokovic, the wait for a career Grand Slam goes on following the disappointment of a final defeat to Stan Wawrinka at Roland Garros.
Federer has been working hard as he tries to rediscover his form. PA
PA
The Serb has been looking to complete his set of major wins since triumphing at both Wimbledon and the US Open in 2011, but French Open glory continues to evade him and he will be looking to quell that frustration to retain his title in London.
Second seed Roger Federer lost last year’s thrilling final to Djokovic, prolonging his own wait to become the most successful champion in Wimbledon history.
The Swiss maestro has racked up seven titles at the All England Club, level with Pete Sampras, but – at 33 years old – is running out of opportunities to register a record-breaking eighth victory.
Two-time champion Rafael Nadal – seeded 10th following a poor run of form after illness and injury - has never had to wait five tournaments for a grand slam crown since winning his first in Paris in 2005.
He stands on the brink of reaching that undesirable marker over the coming fortnight, while third seed Andy Murray is looking to claim back the title he famously won in 2013 to end a 77-year wait for a British Wimbledon champion.
In the women’s draw, there is not much 20-time grand slam winner Serena Williams is still to achieve in her illustrious career, but the American has teed up her best chance of winning all four major titles in a calendar year.
World number one Serena Williams is on course for a first calendar Grand Slam.
Victory at the French Open earlier this month saw the 33-year-old win the opening two tournaments of the year for the first time. A first Grand Slam in the women’s game since Steffi Graff in 1988 will be a step closer should Williams prevail at Wimbledon for the sixth time.
Fourth seed Maria Sharapova has not tasted success at the event since first winning the title in 2004, while third seed Simona Halep is still waiting to post her first grand slam win, although it remains to be seen whether a late change of coach will pay off for the Romanian.
Reigning champion Petra Kvitova heads the other contenders. She will be hoping to prolong the waits of her rivals when the iconic tournament gets under way this week.
World number one Novak Djokovic denies cheating claims on eve of Wimbledon defence
WIMBLEDON CHAMPION NOVAK Djokovic has denied accusations of cheating despite admitting top players routinely break the rules by communicating with their coaches during matches.
Tennis governing body rules forbid coaches from instructing their players in the middle of matches.
But Djokovic’s coach Boris Becker has revealed the Serb’s back-room staff “have our ways” of signalling to the world number one on court “to tell him it’s good or it’s bad”.
With Djokovic due to start his Wimbledon title defence against Germany’s Philipp Kohlschreiber on Centre Court on Monday, he was quizzed about the trend for on-court coaching when he faced the media for the annual champions’ press conferences at the All England Club on Sunday.
The 28-year-old rejected suggestions his on-court communication with Becker represents a significant rule breach, but he did concede the practice is widespread.
“I don’t think that we’re cheating, I don’t think that’s how you can call it,” Djokovic said.
“But we can’t pretend like that’s not happening in tennis.
“Of course there are situations when it happens, and not just with the top players, with everybody.
“This is a very competitive sport. You’re alone on the court.”
The on-court coaching rule clearly 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.”
But Djokovic said it wasn’t unfair if there was some kind of communication with a coach because so many players indulge in the practice.
“Of course there are certain rules but also there are times when the team of the player communicates with the player when he gets to go and take the towel in the corner, which is closer to the box, or in different ways,” he added.
“I think it’s all fine as long as it’s not regular, I think it just depends.
“Also that’s up to the chair umpire or supervisor to decide if somebody’s breaking the rules or not.
Meanwhile, players and fans alike will be eagerly anticipating the start of Wimbledon on Monday.
The Championships were pushed back for this year to allow players a three-week rest period between the end of the French Open and their first assignments in SW19.
That calendar change extended the grass-court season and enabled the world’s top players to fine-tune their game on the surface ahead of the third grand slam of the year.
But as the wait for Wimbledon to commence nears its end, some of the leading contenders in the men’s and women’s draws are negotiating their own personal waiting games.
For Djokovic, the wait for a career Grand Slam goes on following the disappointment of a final defeat to Stan Wawrinka at Roland Garros.
The Serb has been looking to complete his set of major wins since triumphing at both Wimbledon and the US Open in 2011, but French Open glory continues to evade him and he will be looking to quell that frustration to retain his title in London.
Second seed Roger Federer lost last year’s thrilling final to Djokovic, prolonging his own wait to become the most successful champion in Wimbledon history.
The Swiss maestro has racked up seven titles at the All England Club, level with Pete Sampras, but – at 33 years old – is running out of opportunities to register a record-breaking eighth victory.
Two-time champion Rafael Nadal – seeded 10th following a poor run of form after illness and injury - has never had to wait five tournaments for a grand slam crown since winning his first in Paris in 2005.
He stands on the brink of reaching that undesirable marker over the coming fortnight, while third seed Andy Murray is looking to claim back the title he famously won in 2013 to end a 77-year wait for a British Wimbledon champion.
In the women’s draw, there is not much 20-time grand slam winner Serena Williams is still to achieve in her illustrious career, but the American has teed up her best chance of winning all four major titles in a calendar year.
Victory at the French Open earlier this month saw the 33-year-old win the opening two tournaments of the year for the first time. A first Grand Slam in the women’s game since Steffi Graff in 1988 will be a step closer should Williams prevail at Wimbledon for the sixth time.
Fourth seed Maria Sharapova has not tasted success at the event since first winning the title in 2004, while third seed Simona Halep is still waiting to post her first grand slam win, although it remains to be seen whether a late change of coach will pay off for the Romanian.
Reigning champion Petra Kvitova heads the other contenders. She will be hoping to prolong the waits of her rivals when the iconic tournament gets under way this week.
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