Words: Charlie Gardiner-Hill
Novak Djokovic’s win on centre court yesterday evening put to bed the demons that have haunted him since his loss to Andy Murray in the same match one year earlier. By his own admittance, Djokovic has struggled mentally in the final stages of Grand Slams but many guffawed when Boris Becker joined his coaching staff to help him break his dry spell.
Djokovic’s hard won victory against Roger Federer, the king of Centre Court, was a glorious vindication of Boris Becker’s mentorship and of his mentee’s ability to win when it counts. As a tribute to their joint success, we’ve looked back through five of sport’s greatest partnerships.
1. Tiger Woods and Steve Williams
Williams served Woods as a close friend and caddy for 12 years until his unceremonious sacking 2011. Many of the long putts and crucial chips that Woods was famed for putting in the hole were credited to Williams’ tactical nous and, with Williams by his side, Woods won 14 majors. The loyal caddy also infamously wrestled a $7,000 camera off a spectator and threw it in a pond during the 2006 Ryder Cup, after the fan took a picture of Woods mid-swing.
2. Michael Schumacher and Ross Brawn
With Schumacher behind the wheel and Brawn in the pits, Ferrari became the most successful constructor in the history of F1, winning 7 championships in 12 years. Brawn’s pioneering engineering as technical director, Schumacher’s consistently brilliant driving and their trust in each other’s abilities also led the pair to 7 World Drivers’ Championships.
3. Steve Redgrave and Matthew Pinsent
From 1990 to 1996 Redgrave and Pinsent pushed each other further than either could have imagined, winning back to back Olympic Golds and amassing the largest collection of Olympic and World Championship medals in history, with 14 each. Their brutal approach forged a pairing cemented in pain and ambition that led them to dominate British rowing.
4. Cus D’Amato and Mike Tyson
Cus D’Amato who sadly died shortly before Tyson became the youngest World Heavyweight Championship in history, was Tyson’s guiding light and father figure. The indomitable Tyson has credited him with building his confidence, keeping him out of trouble and teaching him everything he needed to know. D’Amato was so dedicated to his young protege that he even adopted him when Tyson’s mother died.
5. Ginger McCain and Red Rum
Lauded by many as the greatest horse trainer of all time, McCain was a man of unusual talent and equally unusual methods. Red Rum, bought by Ginger in 1972, chased down National glory and was immortalised in racing folklore despite being crippled by bone problems. McCain, who healed Red Rum in the freezing waters of the Irish sea, was ruthlessly criticised for over running his most successful runner but was vindicated by Red Rum’s famous National win in 1977.
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