Coaching role has Becker against Lendl once again

Becker was named as the new head coach of world No 2 Novak Djokovic in a move that mirrors Andy Murray’s appointment of Lendl two years ago.

Lendl is credited with helping the current world No 4 break his grand slam duck – winning his first major title at the 2012 US Open before becoming the first British men’s champion at Wimbledon in 77 years this year.

Comparisons between Becker and Lendl from their playing days are there to be made.

Both men shot to prominence in the 1980s as leading lights of a new breed of hard-hitting ‘power’ players and went on to become multiple grand slam champions – Becker winning six titles from 10 major final appearances and Lendl eight from 19.

They also crossed swords in three grand slam finals, starting at Wimbledon in 1986 – when Becker retained the title he had won a year earlier at the age of 17 – then again at the 1989 US Open – when Becker again prevailed – and finally at the 1991 Australian Open.