There's nothing like Roger Federer telling Novak Djokovic's coach Boris Becker to mind his own business as Wimbledon approaches.
Tennis.com reported that the 17-time Grand Slam champion responded to comments attributed to Becker in his new book, "Wimbledon: My Life and Career at the All England Club."
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The Daily Telegraph obtained a copy of Becker's book and reported on excerpts from it.
"Tennis no longer has entertaining rivalries because players are too scared of being fined for swearing about their opponents," Becker said in his book, according to the Telegraph.
"The installation of on-court microphones at Wimbledon and other tournaments, capable of picking up every muttered expletive, has created a generation of players hamstrung by political correctness.
"Instead, stars maintain a 'fake' friendliness - it is an 'open secret' in the tennis world that Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic dislike one another, Becker claimed, adding that Federer 'cannot possibly' be as nice as he appears."
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Federer was not amused, Tennis.com reported.
"I find such comments unnecessary," Federer said in an interview with Berner Zeitung. "He cannot know whether I have a problem with Novak. It's true at the beginning I didn't like his [behavior] on the court but today he behaves wonderfully and is extremely fair.
"We don't spend a lot of time together. Our best friends are other people. But when we meet we are relaxed and talk as normal."
Federer also took issue with Becker's comments about his personality.
"Becker has no clue," Federer said. "He should actually know me well enough to know that I'm a relaxed guy. I'm friendly and polite to people, with no need to change my behavior. Sure, sometimes I have to collect myself when I'm tired or in a bad mood, but that's part of the job."
In his defense, Becker said on Twitter that he has been misquoted in various media stories and that he has the "utmost respect" for Federer.
In this instance, the truth should be discovered when Becker's book comes out.
Do you think Boris Becker's alleged comments toward Roger Federer will spice up Wimbledon? Comment below or tell us @SportsWN.
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