NOVAK Djokovic has hit back at allegations that he and coach Boris Becker are cheating in the way they communicate during matches.

Former champion Becker revealed during a radio interview that he had “ways to tell” Djokovic during a match whether he was doing the right thing.

Tennis rules prohibit on-court coaching, and breaking the rules can lead to a warning, then loss of a point, and ultimately being disqualified.

But Djokovic said the contact was more about moral support, and insisted that anything more explicit would have been picked up on TV cameras.

Asked on Radio 5 Live about Djokovic speaking to the players’ box during a match, Becker said: “There are moments when he looks up and he needs assurance that what he is doing is right.

"And then we have our ways about it to tell him it’s good or tell him it’s bad. And then it’s up to him to change it.”

Djokovic, who begins his defence of his Wimbledon title today against Germany’s Philipp Kohlschreiber, has twice been fined at the Australian Open for on-court coaching.

But speaking at a Wimbledon press conference yesterday, the No.1 seed said there was nothing wrong about the contact between him and Becker.

“I don't think that we're cheating,” Djokovic said. “I don't think that's how you can call it. I mean, there are special ways of, I would say, communication.

“As he [Becker] mentioned, the way you look at each other, the way you feel your box, and box feels what you're going through on the court.

"I think that's something that just gives you that reassurance, gives you that confidence.

“It's not necessary that he tells me where to serve or to which side of the opponent's court I have to play - because that doesn't happen.

"But it's more, you know, encouragement, and more of a support and reassurance, as I said, that's basically present in those moments.”

Asked if the communication went as far as signals, or Becker giving him specific advice about how to serve, Djokovic insisted that would have been picked up long ago.

But, while trying to absolve himself of blame, he admitted that tennis has a problem with players and coaches who at best try to bend the rules about on-court coaching.

“Well, I think with all the cameras pointed out to him and to the box, I think you would already notice if he would just kind of go kick serve, slice, to do the backhand or forehand,” he said.

“But again, we can't pretend like that's not happening in tennis.

“Of course, there's situations when it happens, and not just with the top players, with everybody. This is a very competitive sport. You're alone on the court. Of course, there's certain rules.

“But also there are times when, you know, the team of the player communicates with the player when he gets to go and take the towel in the corner, which is closer to the box, or, you know, different ways. I think it's all fine as long as it's not regular.

“I think it just depends. Also that's up to the chair umpire or supervisor to decide if somebody's breaking the rules or not.

"I think as long as it's something that you can tolerate, let's say, within the ways of communication, I think it's fine.”