BORIS BECKER PREVIEWS THE 2021 AUSTRALIAN OPEN

On the latest Covid challenges after the positive test of a hotel employee and the rumours if Australian Open can start on Monday…
I believe it’ll be resolved. It's an extraordinary situation at an extraordinary time. But I don't think we have to worry about it not starting on Monday.

On the general challenges players have at the Australian Open…
They all have one problem: They don't have enough matches. They all start from scratch, that's the big unknown. Every favourite is afraid of the first round, all the favourites have to find themselves in the first week. Even Novak Djokovic is not someone who plays his best tennis at the drop of a hat. Due to the lack of preparation from all players, this Australian Open is perhaps more open than ever before.

On favourite Novak Djokovic, the defending Australian Open champion, and about the on-going discussion about Novak and his personality and standing at the Tour…
It's not the first time Djokovic has faced headwind. You have to take a stand for him, because he hasn't always been treated fairly in the media. He knows how to deal with it. During my time with him, I've seen him almost as a street fighter who fears nothing and is not afraid of opposition. He's the best in class and also responsible for the other players, so to speak. But that makes him stronger because he's been through this for years. He has already won the Australian Open eight times and is the top favorite in the tournament. Everyone else knows what it means to play against Djokovic in Melbourne.

On Alexander Zverev being among the tournament favourites…
He is one of the favourites in the tournament. I would be very wrong if he doesn't get very far in the tournament. He's getting into his best tennis age. He knows that the responsibility is on him. The time for excuses is over.

On a possible coaching comeback, potentially as Alex Zverev’s coach…
As of today, I can't imagine whether I will coach him again as a full-time coach. Because of the pandemic, there are more important issues for me at the moment than becoming a coach. At the moment, I see Zverev as the only German who can win a Grand Slam tournament. I would like to see a successor, help him and support him. That's why: never say never. But as of today, the question doesn't arise.

On his other top favourites besides Djokovic and Zverev in Melbourne…
People sometimes forget Rafael Nadal, he has a total of 20 Grand Slams and is playing against tennis history, so to speak. I also count him among the top favorites. But especially Dominic Thiem, who had a fantastic year in 2020 and made his breakthrough to the top of the world. He won the US Open and only just lost to Djokovic in Melbourne last year. I see Thiem right at the top.

On Serena Williams (23 Grand Slam wins), who is chasing the record of Margaret Court (24)…
I'm delighted that Serena, as a young mother, has taken the strain and traveled to Australia. She is an outstanding tennis champion. It speaks to her motivation and love for the sport. Does it get more difficult with every Grand Slam tournament? Yes. Time doesn't stand still for her either. And priorities also change when you have a young daughter. But on hard court and on grass, I still think she's one of the strongest players. If she gets through the first week well, she's a force to be reckoned with. But she should do it soon!

On women’s tennis…
There have been many different Grand Slam winners in recent years. On the one hand, that's good because it's varied. On the other hand, it's bad because it confuses the tennis fan. People like to support one player and want a rivalry between 3 or 4 players. But when you have a dozen different champions within three years, it is confusing for the fan. It also doesn't speak to the strength of the respective female winners. I would like to see about four top players again, and for them to be different from the rest.

On his love for the Australian Open and the fact that he can't be on-site…
January is actually always firmly scheduled Australian for me. I love the country, I love the people, I love the tournament. It is the most beautiful, most relaxed Grand Slam for me. But we're in different times at the moment, so I'm dealing with it quite rationally. We're meeting with the Eurosport crew in our cozy studio and we're also really excited and looking forward to it. It's also a Herculean achievement on the part of Eurosport. From the outside, it always looks easier than it is. But we are a well-coordinated team.

Watch Eurosport's coverage of the Australian Open LIVE from Monday 8 February LIVE on Eurosport and Eurosport App.