Becker’s play criticised

Press, 29 June 1987, Page 21

Becker’s play criticised

NZPA-Reuter Bonn Guenter Bosch, who coached Boris Becker to two Wimbledon victories, criticised the young star’s performance in his second round defeat at this year’s championships, the newspaper “Welt am Sonntag” said.

“Welt,” which released parts of an interview with Mr Bosch to be published today, said that

the coach selected five reasons for Becker’s four-set defeat by the Australian, Peter Doohan, on Saturday. It quoted him as saying:

• Becker manoeuvred himself into the worst possible starting position with an overwhelming self-confidence and predictions like “I will win.”

•He underestimated his opponent.

• Becker’s biggest weapon, his serve, did not fulfil its potential. “His second serve, above all, is no longer the one that I once taught Boris Becker. Formerly Becker’s powerful serve was a shock for every opponent A shock that hurt the opponent, that was more than just a point (won). But today it is no longer the barometer of his game.”

• Becker’s strokes generally no longer possess the power which used to place his opponents under pressure that stopped them from recovering their breath.

• During his match with Doohan, Becker never struggled against the threatening defeat.

However, Bosch told “Welt,” people should be calm and never forget what Becker had already done for West German tennis. “This defeat could have been, perhaps, a salutary lesson for him and his helpers. It may have proved that even Boris Becker’s game needs further development,” Mr Bosch said.

“Boris is still a tennis diamond,” he said. “But this diamond must be polished now and again.”