Yahoo Sports Novak Djokovic 'deserves more respect' insists Boris Becker
Freshly-crowned Wimbledon champion Novak Djokovic deserves more respect, according to his former coach and six-time grand slam winner Boris Becker.
Djokovic defeated Roger Federer in the longest ever final at SW19 on Sunday, saving two championship points to finally beat the Swiss after four hours and 57 minutes.
Federer was bidding to win a record-extending ninth singles title and enjoyed the backing of a raucous Centre Court crowd.
But the majority of the 15,000 fans were disappointed as world No. 1 Djokovic took the title for the fifth time.
"It triggered him to fight in the fifth set," said Becker.
"He got a bit riled and gave some stares to people in the crowd but that's how he works, that's how he ticks.
"There comes a point when you get frustrated, but I thought he handled himself well and was mentally well prepared."
Djokovic was booed when he approached the umpire to dispute what he thought was a late challenge from Federer.
Becker hopes tennis fans will warm to the 32-year-old, urging them to ‘wake up to the greatness of Novak Djokovic.’
"Federer is the greatest of all-time here and has the right to get that love, but on the other side you have to respect a four-time champion a little bit more," added Becker.
"I hope next year, if they played again, it would be more even.
"He came into the party that was the Roger and Rafa party and he became the party pooper.
"Now, after 16 majors, people have got to wake up to the greatness of Novak Djokovic."
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