I'm a dad, husband, sport psych and executive coach. I'm also an ex tennis coach, now playing for myself and demonstrating that despite now being 50 I can maintain my standard and possibly still get better. Inevitably many of my thoughts centre around performance psychology....so if that interests you, whatever your sport or activity then read on....
A trophy bride is defined as "a wife, usually young and attractive, who is regarded as a status symbolfor the husband, who is often older and wealthy. The term trophy husband refers to a male filling the role."
What was Djokovic thinking when he appointed Boris? Andy has Ivan Lendl, Roger has Stefan Edberg, So Novak appoints Becker. The point is that Murray had a problem to solve (winning a major) and he sought an utterly determined, chiselled, wise Lendl to help him build further levels of steel and resolve in his search for his first major. Murray was the fiery, overly emotional, enormously gifted young runner up. Lendl the emotionally controlled, utterly methodical older man, someone who Murray sought out and listened to. The results have spoken for themselves.
Federer also has a problem to solve - he's at the end of his career and his stamina in points is not as it was. So he turns to the greatest serve volleyer of all time, to help him improve at net and redefine this aspect of his game to see if he can find one last major. The fact Stefan was the one player he most admired growing up, is a bonus. He may help him solve a problem.
And Novak, his invincibility has been severely punctured by Rafa, and to some extent by Murray. And yet especially against Murray at Wimbledon 2013 and the 2012 US Open, Djokovic was nowhere near the invincible force he once was. Maybe the death of his grandfather in 2012 and his first coach, Jelena Gencic in 2013, affected his own sense of mortality? Who Knows? Only those closest to Novak, and possibly Novak himself. Either way how can Boris help? Of all the past champions, from a distance its difficult to see. A wise pundit, clear thinking, but what was it that Novak is seeking from him?
I enjoyed Novak's impersonation of Boris's serve after the Aussie Open third round, egged on by Jim Courier, but a part of me wondered if he was just enjoying himself too much to be really clear about what he was focused upon.
And all the while Rafa ploughs his furrow with Uncle Toni - for me the most impressive player out there - mentally - technically, and for as long as his body holds out - physically. Rafa needs no Trophy Coach.
