“Novak Djokovic could be president, he could be anything” – Boris Becker stresses on Serb’s 'icon' status in Serbia as he gears up for Paris Olympics

Six-time Grand Slam champion Boris Becker recently commented on Novak Djokovic's star power in Serbia as the latter gears up for the 2024 Olympics. The Olympics will be held from July 26 to August 11 in Paris, France, with the tennis competitions to be held at Roland Garros, the home to the French Open.

Djokovic has represented Serbia in every edition of the prestigious event since 2008 (Beijing). He earned a bronze medal for his country in the Beijing edition by defeating James Blake in the playoff.

Since then, however, the Olympics have brought nothing but disappointment to the Serb, as he hasn't been able to add to his medal tally. Djokovic returned from the 2012 London Games after losing the bronze medal match to Juan Martin del Potro, who also beat him in the first round of the 2016 Olympics in Rio de Janeiro.

He had another fourth-place finish at Tokyo 2020 after losing to Pablo Carreno Busta in the bronze medal fixture.

The Paris Olympics, in all likelihood, is going to be the 24-time Grand Slam champion's last bid for a gold medal as he has already turned 37. Notably, he was under Boris Becker's tutelage during his first-round exit at Rio 2016.

Ahead of his former pupil's potential final Olympics campaign, Becker stressed on the Serb's popularity in Serbia and the pride he took in representing his country at the biggest sporting spectacle.

"I don't know if you understand the importance of Novak Djokovic in Serbia, he could be president, he could be anything. He is a true icon in Serbia and, therefore, it is logical that he wants to represent his country on a world stage. There is no better place to do it than the Olympic Games," Becker told Eurosport (as quoted by Punto de Break).

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"You can't imagine the expectation and power Novak Djokovic has when he plays for Serbia" - Boris Becker

The Serb with Boris Becker. (Getty)

In the aforementioned conversation with Eurosport, Boris Becker recalled experiencing the expectations on Novak Djokovic's shoulders while leading Serbia at the Rio Olympics.

"I was lucky enough to be the head coach of the Serbian team at Rio 2016. I worked with all the Serbian players, I was in the village and by then, he [Djokovic] was already a superstar. You can't imagine the expectation and power he has when he plays for Serbia. That event in 2016 allowed me to understand it," Becker said.

Becker joined the Serb's team as head coach in December 2013 and left in December 2016. During that period, he helped the 37-year-old win six Grand Slam titles.

The Serb turned to Andre Agassi after separating from Becker and stayed with the American for nearly a year between May 2017 and March 2018. He later roped in Marian Vajda and Goran Ivanisevic.