Burn-out and nagging injuries prompted Novak Djokovic's split with Boris Becker, the Hall of Famer revealed.
Becker coached Djokovic to six Grand Slam titles in a partnership that began in December, 2013 and lasted three years.
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The former world No. 1 told BBC's The One Show the relationship ran its course when Djokovic decided to split in December, 2016.
“It was a great time, three years working together,” Becker told The One Show. “It’s a time I miss. But everything has it’s time.
"He had some injury problems, had surgery and was a bit burned out. Then there was no need for me anymore."
Reuniting with coach Marian Vajda this season, Djokovic won back-to-back Grand Slam titles at Wimbledon and the US Open, amassed a 22-match winning streak and secured the year-end No. 1 ranking for the fifth time.
Djokovic became the first man since Marat Safin in 2000 to reach the world No. 1 ranking the same season after falling out of the Top 20.
Becker said he stays in touch with Djokovic, who headlines the Guga Kuerten Group that includes third-seeded Alexander Zverev, fifth-seeded Marin Cilic and eighth-seeded John Isner for the Nitto ATP Finals, starting Sunday at the O2 Arena in London.
“We stay close, we call each other often and I’m so happy for him to come back,” Becker said. "Because at the beginning of the year he didn’t look so good. “He was out of the top 20, was injured and had lost his mojo. All of a sudden Wimbledon comes around, he wins the championship and off he goes!"