Novak Djokovic caught even former coach Boris Becker by surprise in a return to dominance that has seen the Serbian add three more grand slams to his collection in recent months.

Twelve months ago, Djokovic was convalescing from elbow surgery and a series of early exits on his comeback to the ATP Tour led to suggestions he was in terminal decline.

But reuniting with long-time mentor Marian Vajda proved a significant cornerstone for Djokovic, who won Wimbledon and then the US Open last year before clinching a record seventh Australian Open crown last month.

Becker, who coached Djokovic for three years until the end of 2016, admitted he was just as taken aback by his old charge recapturing former glories.

Speaking in his role as a Laureus Academy member, the German said: "It's remarkable.

Australian Open men's final: Novak Djokovic vs Rafael Nadal Show all 25 1 /25 Australian Open men's final: Novak Djokovic vs Rafael Nadal Australian Open men's final: Novak Djokovic vs Rafael Nadal 2019 Australian Open men's final Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal competed in the Australian Open final. REUTERS Australian Open men's final: Novak Djokovic vs Rafael Nadal 2019 Australian Open men's final Spain's Rafael Nadal, left, poses for a photo with Serbia's Novak Djokovic ahead of the men's singles final at the Australian Open tennis championships in Melbourne, Australia, Sunday, Jan. 27, 2019.(AP Photo/Aaron Favila) Aaron Favila AP Australian Open men's final: Novak Djokovic vs Rafael Nadal 2019 Australian Open men's final Tennis - Australian Open - Men's Singles Final - Melbourne Park, Melbourne, Australia, January 27, 2019. Serbia's Novak Djokovic in action during the match against Spain's Rafael Nadal. REUTERS/Aly Song ALY SONG REUTERS Australian Open men's final: Novak Djokovic vs Rafael Nadal 2019 Australian Open men's final Spain's Rafael Nadal hits a return against Serbia's Novak Djokovic during the men's singles final on day 14 of the Australian Open tennis tournament in Melbourne on January 27, 2019. (Photo by William WEST / AFP) / -- IMAGE RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE - STRICTLY NO COMMERCIAL USE --WILLIAM WEST/AFP/Getty Images WILLIAM WEST AFP/Getty Images Australian Open men's final: Novak Djokovic vs Rafael Nadal 2019 Australian Open men's final Serbia's Novak Djokovic reacts after winning a point against Spain's Rafael Nadal during the men's singles final at the Australian Open tennis championships in Melbourne, Australia, Sunday, Jan. 27, 2019. (AP Photo/Kin Cheung) Kin Cheung AP Australian Open men's final: Novak Djokovic vs Rafael Nadal 2019 Australian Open men's final MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - JANUARY 27: General view inside Rod Laver Arena during the Men's Singles Final match between Novak Djokovic of Serbia and Rafael Nadal of Spain during day 14 of the 2019 Australian Open at Melbourne Park on January 27, 2019 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Scott Barbour/Getty Images) Scott Barbour Getty Images Australian Open men's final: Novak Djokovic vs Rafael Nadal 2019 Australian Open men's final Tennis - Australian Open - Men's Singles Final - Melbourne Park, Melbourne, Australia, January 27, 2019. Spain's Rafael Nadal in action during his match against Serbia's Novak Djokovic. REUTERS/Edgar Su EDGAR SU REUTERS Australian Open men's final: Novak Djokovic vs Rafael Nadal 2019 Australian Open men's final epa07323894 Novak Djokovic of Serbia reacts during his men's singles final match against Rafael Nadal of Spain at the Australian Open Grand Slam tennis tournament in Melbourne, Australia, 27 January 2019. EPA/RITCHIE TONGO RITCHIE TONGO EPA Australian Open men's final: Novak Djokovic vs Rafael Nadal 2019 Australian Open men's final Spain's Rafael Nadal hits a return against Serbia's Novak Djokovic during the men's singles final on day 14 of the Australian Open tennis tournament in Melbourne on January 27, 2019. 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(AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein) Mark Schiefelbein AP Australian Open men's final: Novak Djokovic vs Rafael Nadal 2019 Australian Open men's final Serbia's Novak Djokovic reacts after winning a point against Spain's Rafael Nadal during the men's singles final at the Australian Open tennis championships in Melbourne, Australia, Sunday, Jan. 27, 2019. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein) Mark Schiefelbein AP Australian Open men's final: Novak Djokovic vs Rafael Nadal 2019 Australian Open men's final Spain's Rafael Nadal reacts after a point against Serbia's Novak Djokovic during the men's singles final on day 14 of the Australian Open tennis tournament in Melbourne on January 27, 2019. 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EPA/JULIAN SMITH EDITORIAL USE ONLY AUSTRALIA AND NEW ZEALAND OUT JULIAN SMITH EPA Australian Open men's final: Novak Djokovic vs Rafael Nadal 2019 Australian Open men's final Spain's Rafael Nadal hits a return against Serbia's Novak Djokovic during the men's singles final on day 14 of the Australian Open tennis tournament in Melbourne on January 27, 2019. (Photo by Saeed KHAN / AFP) / -- IMAGE RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE - STRICTLY NO COMMERCIAL USE --SAEED KHAN/AFP/Getty Images SAEED KHAN AFP/Getty Images Australian Open men's final: Novak Djokovic vs Rafael Nadal 2019 Australian Open men's final Tennis - Australian Open - Men's Singles Final - Melbourne Park, Melbourne, Australia, January 27, 2019. Serbia's Novak Djokovic reacts during the match against Spain's Rafael Nadal. REUTERS/Lucy Nicholson LUCY NICHOLSON REUTERS Australian Open men's final: Novak Djokovic vs Rafael Nadal 2019 Australian Open men's final Serbia's Novak Djokovic hits a return against Spain's Rafael Nadal during the men's singles final on day 14 of the Australian Open tennis tournament in Melbourne on January 27, 2019. (Photo by SAEED KHAN / AFP) / -- IMAGE RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE - STRICTLY NO COMMERCIAL USE --SAEED KHAN/AFP/Getty Images SAEED KHAN AFP/Getty Images Australian Open men's final: Novak Djokovic vs Rafael Nadal 2019 Australian Open men's final Serbia's Novak Djokovic celebrates his victory against Spain's Rafael Nadal during the men's singles final on day 14 of the Australian Open tennis tournament in Melbourne on January 27, 2019. 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(Photo by DAVID GRAY / AFP) / -- IMAGE RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE - STRICTLY NO COMMERCIAL USE --DAVID GRAY/AFP/Getty Images DAVID GRAY AFP/Getty Images Australian Open men's final: Novak Djokovic vs Rafael Nadal 2019 Australian Open men's final Tennis - Australian Open - Men's Singles Final - Melbourne Park, Melbourne, Australia, January 27, 2019. Spain's Rafael Nadal congratulates Serbia's Novak Djokovic after the match. REUTERS/Edgar Su EDGAR SU REUTERS Australian Open men's final: Novak Djokovic vs Rafael Nadal 2019 Australian Open men's final Rafael Nadal of Spain poses with the runners-up trophy Getty Images Australian Open men's final: Novak Djokovic vs Rafael Nadal 2019 Australian Open men's final Serbia's Novak Djokovic speaks during the presentation ceremony AFP/Getty Images Australian Open men's final: Novak Djokovic vs Rafael Nadal 2019 Australian Open men's final Serbia's Novak Djokovic kisses his trophy after defeating Spain's Rafael Nadal AP

"A year ago, he was just going through a break and elbow surgery and was just trying to find his feet again in tennis.

"For him to catapult himself back like that was not to be expected but he has a champion's mentality. He knows what it takes to win and he's fully on it."

The world number one's supremacy has given rise to the thought that he could overhaul Roger Federer's record of 20 grand slams in the near future.

Becker, though, believes the veteran Swiss is more than capable of adding to his tally and pointed out that the pair's great rival Rafael Nadal - with 17 grand slams to his name - could come into the reckoning.

Djokovic is bidding to overhaul Roger Federer's (left) and Rafael Nadal's (right) tally of grand slam titles (Adam Davy/PA)Becker said: "Who says Roger's not going to win more than 20? Maybe he's going to win Wimbledon this year.

"I wouldn't rule out (Djokovic going past Federer in grand slams). Can he do it? Yeah, but so can Rafa. Rafa has 17.

"There are big question marks. These three champions keep on winning and until they still play tennis, nothing is sure."

Andy Murray has recently undergone a second hip operation in a bid to prolong his career.

Murray had said ahead of the Australian Open last month that he intended to retire after this year's Wimbledon although Becker is not so sure.

He added: "This is an important decision. You have to take into consideration many things and, as far as I know, he has not officially retired."