Boris Becker and the SABR add new layers to Federer-Djokovic rivalry ahead of US Open final

Ahead of the men's US Open final, Ahmed Rizvi looks at the rivalry between Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic - a rivalry that has been stoked in recent times by Boris Becker - the former world No 1 and present member of Team Djokovic.

Roger Federer's SABR tactic has drawn plenty of attention, some of it not complimentary, with Novak Djokovic and coach Boris Becker both not fans. Mike Segar / Reuters

Perhaps, the timing is purely coincidental, but Boris Becker does seem to rile Roger Federer at some pretty opportune times.

In June, a couple of weeks ahead of Wimbledon, the German, who won six majors during his career, claimed in his autobiography that Federer and Novak Djokovic “don’t particularly like each other” and it was an “open secret.”

Becker also took potshots at the Swiss’ squeaky clean public persona, saying Federer “makes good money out of his image, but would he make less if we saw a bit more of his true feelings?”.

Earlier this week, midway during the US Open, Becker was back baiting Federer, claiming his new service-return tactics, known by the fancy acronym of SABR (Sneak Attack by Roger), was disrespectful to the opponents.

SABR, basically, involves charging towards the net as his opponent serves and Federer has done well with it, cruising into his first final at Flushing Meadows in six years without dropping a set.

In his last two matches, against Richard Gasquet and the French Open champion Stan Wawrinka, the world No 2 has dropped a mere 15 games.

“If he would have played a [John] McEnroe, [Jimmy] Connors, [Ivan] Lendl or even me, we would have said, ‘Roger, in all honesty I like you very much, [but] I’ll go straight at you’,” Becker said on Sky Sports following Federer’s 6-3, 6-3, 6-1 win over Frenchman Gasquet in the quarter-finals on Wednesday.

“In my generation guys would not have accepted as it is now. It’s almost disrespecting the other guy’s serve.”

Now, Becker is a member of Team Djokovic and his criticism of the SABR would seem, to both Federer fans and neutrals, as a ploy to dissuade the Swiss from using it in Sunday’s final against the Serb.

Last month, in the final of the Cincinnati Masters, Federer had deployed the SABR to bring down Djokovic 7-6, 6-3, and the Swiss has said he will be looking to use it again against the world No 1, who has made the final at all four majors this year, a first in his career.

“It’s not disrespectful. Pretty simple,” said Federer in response to Becker’s criticism after his 6-4, 6-3, 6-1 win over Wawrinka in their last-four encounter on Friday.

“For me, if it makes sense, which I think it does, I’ll use it in the finals. I used it to great effect against him in the tough situation, at was it, 4-1 in the breaker in Cincinnati.

“We will see if the occasion presents itself. It’s got to be the right point, right frame of mind, the right place to do it. I hope I’ll have the opportunity to do it.”

It will be interesting to see how Djokovic responds if Federer does try to use the SABR. Will he take Becker’s advice and hit one straight into the charging Swiss, and risk the wrath of the fans?

That might not be such a great call, for there have been suggestions Djokovic can get rattled when the crowd rallies against him.

He did lose his cool after dropping the second set against Roberto Bautista Agut in the fourth round, and did look a bit rattled at the French Open final, when Wawrinka, urged on by the fans, came out all guns blazing after losing the first set to go and win the match and the title.

The SABR is a lot like the heavy artillery employed by Wawrinka at Roland Garros.

Now, the main talking point is what weapons will Djokovic show up with for a final that Federer has described as “a straight shoot-out” as he bids for a second US Open title?

If he gets it right then a third grand slam title of 2015 and the 10th of his career should come his way.

FOLLOW US ON TWITTER @NatSportUAE