Boris Becker piles on the criticism of Novak Djokovic, infuriating his fans

Novak Djokovic’s shocking first-round elimination at the U.S. Open at the hands of Mariano Navone continues to spark debate, and Boris Becker, commenting on the tournament for Eurosport, didn’t miss the chance to weigh in, piling on the criticism and sparking a backlash from the Serbian’s fans.

“It can’t go on like this; it breaks my heart,” said the former German champion. “I’ve known Novak my whole life; I know how much he’s given to this sport and how much he continues to demand of himself. But at some point, he has to think about the future, his health, and his peace of mind. It’s not easy to accept, especially for someone with his mindset, but no one can fight their own body forever.”

“At some point, all of this will have to end; the question is when he’ll take that step—whether he’ll decide to stop, slow down, or change something about his path. It’s a choice that’s entirely up to him, but it’s inevitable that it will come. And when it does, it will be one of the most important moments in tennis history,” Becker added.

His words, however, were not particularly well-received by many of Novak Djokovic’s fans, who took to social media to challenge Becker’s interpretation. Many deemed his comments overly pessimistic—almost a veiled call for retirement—pointing out that the Serbian has already proven time and again that he knows how to bounce back from difficult moments.

At the same time, however, a segment of fans recognized a sincere, almost protective tone in Becker’s words. Some argue that the former German champion, knowing Djokovic well, intended to send a message of caution: to them, Becker’s reasoning should not be seen as criticism, but rather as an invitation to reflect on how best to manage the final stages of an extraordinary career.