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Djokovic beats Zverev in Beijing: Boris Becker wants a German world No. 1, “but Novak is family”
Novak Djokovic saw off Alexander Zverev 4-6, 6-4, 6-4 in the China Open quarter-finals, and the German’s route to world No. 1 is closed for now. Boris Becker, who coached the Serb from 2014 to 2016, has said where his heart lies.
by Camille Vasseur · 1 min read
The scoreline fits on one line: 4-6, 6-4, 6-4. More than a quarter-final was at stake. By knocking Alexander Zverev out of Sunday’s China Open quarter-final in Beijing, Novak Djokovic closed the road to world No. 1 that had opened in front of the German: to take top spot within a fortnight, Zverev needed to win Beijing and then Shanghai. Beijing is gone, and Shanghai alone will not be enough.
Becker: German heart, Serbian family
Boris Becker reacted on X on Sunday. “I am German and want Alexander to become the new world No. 1, but Novak is family for me”, wrote the six-time Grand Slam champion, who coached Djokovic from 2014 to 2016. The line captures the split: Becker backs German tennis, Zverev first, yet three seasons in the Serb’s corner outweigh any flag.
The defeat stings for Zverev, who won his first two Grand Slam titles this season at Roland Garros and the US Open. The top spot was the next step. Djokovic, 39, stood in the way and left the German only the first set.
Twenty years earlier, another Becker, another night
The calendar remembers the Beckers. On 5 October 2006, at Tokyo’s Ariake Coliseum, Benjamin Becker beat Jiri Novak 6-3, 3-6, 7-6 in the Japan Open round of 16, the last point played at 3:24 am: the latest finish in ATP history at the time. The record has fallen three times since, and it now belongs to Zverev, for that Acapulco 2022 match against Brooksby ended at 4:55 am.