Posted: 22.03.09 14:29. Post subject: НовоСМИ (1)

Статьи, ПК и проч. высказыания о Ноле

 Posted: 31.03.09 22:02. Post subject: Djokovic has a mount..

Djokovic has a mountain to climb after four losses to Tsonga

Miami - Novak Djokovic will aim to reverse a run of four consecutive defeats against Frenchman Jo-Wilfried Tsonga as the pair meet in the quarter-finals of the Miami Masters. Third seed and 2007 champion Djokovic controlled Czech Tomas Berdych in an efficient 6-3, 6-2 victory on Tuesday, while Tsonga, seeded 10th, ousted compatriot Gilles Simon 6-7 (4-7), 6-3, 6-2 in their fourth-round meeting.
Djokovic and Tsonga played the 2008 Australian Open final, which the 21-year-old Serb claimed as his only Grand Slam title. But in the 15 months since that meeting Tsonga has gotten plenty of revenge with ATP victories in Bangkok, Paris, Shanghai and Marseille.
"I have lost to him four times in a row, so he has a little advantage there," said the 20-7 Serb. "But all the matches were very close. It's going to be a challenge for me to win.
Djokovic broke Berdych five times as the Czech failed to capitalize after knocking out 13th seed James Blake in the previous round.
But the winner said that the scoreline was deceptive.
"Nothing is easy at this stage of the tournament. I'm playing a top 20 player, and a player who won against basically all top players in this moment.
"I was trying to stick with him all the time, because I knew he's very aggressive, but not really consistent from the baseline. He makes a lot of unforced errors, especially from the forehand side, so I changed the pace and I played a really good tennis today."
Djokovic has been struggling for confidence after failing to defend his Melbourne Grand Slam title and so far winning only one title in Dubai in 2009.
His Miami victory marked his 10th at the event. "Wins are necessary to get the confidence, and this is what I'm getting lately. Luckily for me, I'm winning more matches then I'm losing.
"Winning Dubai and a couple matches at Indian Wells and here again, so far it's going well."
The French top 10 pair of Tsonga and Simon are now level at a win apiece after Tsonga's victory in two hours, 10 minutes, with nine aces and three breaks of serve.
http://www.earthtimes.org/articles/show/262403,djokovic-has-a-mountain-to-climb-after-four-losses-to-tsonga.html

 Posted: 01.04.09 08:01. Post subject: N. DJOKOVIC/T. Berdy..

N. DJOKOVIC/T. Berdych
6-3, 6-2


THE MODERATOR: Questions, please.
Q. Was it as easy as it looked, or not?
NOVAK DJOKOVIC: No, look, nothing is easy in these stages of the tournament. I'm playing top 20 player, and a player who won against basically all top players in this moment, so it's never easy to play, on this surface especially.
So I was trying to stick with him all the time, because I knew he's very aggressive, but not really consistent from the baseline. He makes a lot of unforced errors, especially from the forehand side, so I changed the pace and I played a really good tennis today.

Q. Is that what separates the top 10 from maybe the top 20, 25, the consistency? They all have the strokes, but it's just the consistency.
NOVAK DJOKOVIC: Well, it's just the details, I think. It's just maybe mental calmness and confidence in certain moments, important moments in the match.

Q. The other day you were saying that you were looking for confidence, in fact, this year. Did you find it back, or you still need some more wins to be sure?
NOVAK DJOKOVIC: Well, wins are necessary to get the confidence, and this is what I'm getting lately. Luckily for me, I'm winning more matches then I'm losing. Winning the Dubai event and a couple matches at Indian Wells and here again, so far it's going well.
Hopefully I can continue this way.

Q. The next two, Simon or Tsonga, you've had great matches with both. They're two entirely different players. Talk about the challenge each match would present.
NOVAK DJOKOVIC: Yeah, big challenge for me. Certainly not a favorite in both of the matches I play, because they're great players. Simon has improved incredibly in the last five or six months. He's been playing very solid tennis from all sides. He's a very tricky player, because he makes you always play another extra shot.
On the other hand, I lost to Tsonga four times in a row, so he has a little advantage probably there. But, again, I think all the matches we played was very close. So if I play him, it's going to be a challenge for me to win.

Q. Have you found this a little bit of a strange year? Because a lot of people are talking about obviously Roger and Rafa, and then there's almost an assumption that one day soon Murray will be maybe No. 3, No, 2, No 1. Does that stiffen your resolve a little bit?
NOVAK DJOKOVIC: Look, I'm really happy that the people don't talk too much about me now. It releases pressure, and then I can really perform my best tennis. So I think it goes to my favor.

Q. You've kind of grown up with electronic line calling the last three years. Is it something you sort of take for granted now?
NOVAK DJOKOVIC: I think I've been quite successful with that.

Q. You've been more successful than any other top player.
NOVAK DJOKOVIC: Really?

Q. Yeah.
NOVAK DJOKOVIC: That's good. It's not that I have, I don't know, eye of the falcon or something. I just get that feeling. You know, probably I have a good eye, okay, good feeling for the ball.

Q. But does it seem like it's just part of the game now, it's integrated?
NOVAK DJOKOVIC: Yeah. I support it. Some players do; some don't. But I'm on the side of the players who really like it. I think it brings out entertainment for fans, and it's interesting.
On the other side, for the players, it gives them chance to overcome -- to overrule the first call, which is good.

Q. Are you going to bring it to the Serbian Open?
NOVAK DJOKOVIC: Hopefully -- yeah, well, money, money. We have clay, so that's a little bit different.

Q. The new racquet you have, you have mastered the feelings with the racquet, or you still have something to improve in the feelings you have with it?
NOVAK DJOKOVIC: We're working on it, but I think we're -- it's not really 100%, but it's very close. I mean, I was working a lot on the racquet in last eight, nine months.
And it was hard decision for me to switch, but I did, and I suffered a little bit in the start of the season. More mentally than the real racquet because it's a hard switch, but now I'm really starting to get used to it much more.

Q. Can you explain the difference between the two?
NOVAK DJOKOVIC: Head racquet has a lot more I think swing weight and it's really fast. It's really fast.

Q. You've got the same amount of prize money as the women's event here, but it's configured in different ways. If you were to win, you're actually going to earn less than the women because the distribution is different. Are you happy with the way that the men's prize money is being distributed?
NOVAK DJOKOVIC: I don't want to go too deep about that. There's been a lot of talks about that. Look, I'm not paying attention on the women's tennis. This is something that's not in our hands.
What is in our hands you have to be concerned about, and that is to increase the prize money and really work on some things that we really deserve. I don't think it's fair to have equal prize money, that's for sure.

Q. I understand that a lot of players did like you, which is to have their early training outside of Serbia. Is that the current trend? If so, why?
NOVAK DJOKOVIC: It's because of the lack of professional conditions in our country. We didn't have any tradition and any conditions which - or facilities - which would bring us and develop us to the professional waters of tennis. That's why we had to go different ways abroad.

Q. And now it's changing, or...
NOVAK DJOKOVIC: It's changing.

Q. Are you confident that everything will be ready on time for your tournament? I saw some pictures, and...
NOVAK DJOKOVIC: No, no, no, don't worry. Everything will be on time. They are working on it since the start of this year. I mean, already two months working, and we gonna make a good impression.

Q. Talk Viktor Troicki, your countryman. We don't know much about him.
NOVAK DJOKOVIC: Yeah, he's playing fantastic in the last two events. He's a physically very strong guy. He's always been like that, even in juniors. He had a little issues with the groundstrokes, with the technique, but now he is improved. His forehand is much better, and his movement has always been very powerful for his height. So we can expect him to do well in the future.

Q. Have you helped him or mentored him in any way?
NOVAK DJOKOVIC: He's older. He knows.

 Posted: 01.04.09 08:08. Post subject: Q. Have you found th..

quote:

Q. Have you found this a little bit of a strange year? Because a lot of people are talking about obviously Roger and Rafa, and then there's almost an assumption that one day soon Murray will be maybe No. 3, No, 2, No 1. Does that stiffen your resolve a little bit? NOVAK DJOKOVIC: Look, I'm really happy that the people don't talk too much about me now. It releases pressure, and then I can really perform my best tennis. So I think it goes to my favor.

я так и знала, давления мы не выдерживаем, правильно из кустов атаковать проще

 Posted: 01.04.09 08:16. Post subject: Q. You've kind o..

quote:

Q. You've kind of grown up with electronic line calling the last three years. Is it something you sort of take for granted now? NOVAK DJOKOVIC: I think I've been quite successful with that. Q. You've been more successful than any other top player. NOVAK DJOKOVIC: Really? Q. Yeah. NOVAK DJOKOVIC: That's good. It's not that I have, I don't know, eye of the falcon or something. I just get that feeling. You know, probably I have a good eye, okay, good feeling for the ball.

дурище какое ыыыыыыыыыыыы
а еще у меня есть мега солоковская Вайда

 Posted: 01.04.09 08:20. Post subject: Q. The new racquet y..

quote:

Q. The new racquet you have, you have mastered the feelings with the racquet, or you still have something to improve in the feelings you have with it? NOVAK DJOKOVIC: We're working on it, but I think we're -- it's not really 100%, but it's very close. I mean, I was working a lot on the racquet in last eight, nine months. And it was hard decision for me to switch, but I did, and I suffered a little bit in the start of the season. More mentally than the real racquet because it's a hard switch, but now I'm really starting to get used to it much more. Q. Can you explain the difference between the two? NOVAK DJOKOVIC: Head racquet has a lot more I think swing weight and it's really fast. It's really fast

ага.. вот откуда все-таки ноги растут. Тогда этим и ауты с фх объясними в принципе

 Posted: 02.04.09 08:16. Post subject: N. DJOKOVIC/J. Tsong..

N. DJOKOVIC/J. Tsonga
6-3, 6-4

Q. In terms of performances recently, where does that one rate given all circumstances and his record against you?
NOVAK DJOKOVIC: No, I have to be very happy with today's performance, because I have been struggling to find a way to win against him in the last four encounters.
It was all so close, so I just knew that I need to stick in and, you know, try to wait for my chances and be aggressive. In the last couple of the matches we've played, I was just, for no reason, waiting for him to make the shots or the mistakes.
Today I think I tried to be closer to the line, more in control, and just put the pressure on him. So I think that's what I did. Overall, I'm really satisfied.

Q. How are you feeling? We got an announcement upstairs saying that you had to go into the doctor afterwards. How are you feeling?
NOVAK DJOKOVIC: Yeah, well, I've been not feeling well with the stomach last night and this morning, and probably the heat affected as well, combined of course with the pressure on the court and all these things.
But, look, it's just incredible the way I stood up and tried to survive there on the court. It was really important for me to win in the straight sets and to save those service games, because I was really lucky. I played some good shots.
He made some errors, but I was aggressive when I needed to be, and I was fortunate in the end.

Q. How important was your first break of serve? Because he hadn't lost his serve all tournament.
NOVAK DJOKOVIC: Uh-huh.

Q. Did you know that?
NOVAK DJOKOVIC: Yeah, yeah. I have no idea. I haven't followed really that much his matches, but I knew that he has a big serve. I knew that it is going to be a key today if I can return a lot of serves back and try to make him play around the baseline. I trying to open up the court on his backhand side and then give myself opportunity to control the points.
So this is what I have done really well. I think I've read his serve quite well. First set he had a very low percentage of the first serves, which gave my more opportunity to attack.

Q. But your consistency off the ground today was extremely high. Is that probably what gave you the most pleasure?
NOVAK DJOKOVIC: Yes, I tried to step in. I knew that he loves hitting forehands. He loves returning around his backhand and just hitting those really powerful forehands that can do a lot of damage to opponent.
In the past couple of the matches we have played, it was really close. We played a lot of three-setters. Then he just suddenly, in the third set, you know, wakes up and brings his game to another level and just starts hitting the ball.
But it was, again, my mistake, because I was waiting and just trying to play a solid game from the baseline. But now I tried to step in and take the chances, and it paid off.

Q. You're regularly taking between 30 and 40 seconds between points today. Did the umpire at any point give you a sort of...
NOVAK DJOKOVIC: So you looked at the time?

Q. I looked at the timing, and the supervisor was down on the court apparently as well.
NOVAK DJOKOVIC: Oh, yeah?

Q. Did the umpire say anything about it at all?
NOVAK DJOKOVIC: No.

Q. Was it because you weren't feeling that good?
NOVAK DJOKOVIC: I don't know, really. I mean, look, I've had time warnings in the past. I'm not saying that I will not have more. If they give me time warning with a reason, if they, you know, let me know that I am slow and everything and then give me warning, I have no problems with it. I will accept it as, you know, something which is rule.
But it's on them, you know. I cannot tell to the umpire, Look, I'm slow. Can you give me a warning. (Laughter.)

Q. Sure. There just appear to be some inconsistencies. Rafa has been called this week for it. The rule is 25 seconds, isn't it?
NOVAK DJOKOVIC: Well, look, I think today was very special conditions. If you get on the court and feel the heat and play a two-hour match you would understand why we are a little bit slow.

Q. I noticed you were bouncing the ball a lot again. Two years ago you were joking, and you said that the reason I bounce it so often is because I like to stay on court a little longer. There was then a period you sort of went back to normal bounces, and today I counted like 19 at a certain point.
NOVAK DJOKOVIC: Yeah, yeah, there were certain points I did quite a lot. But, you know, I don't do this on purpose really. This is something you can't explain.
I don't know, ask Rafa why he's taking his panties out of -- you know, this is just something that gets in your habit, and this is what I do, you know.

Q. Two years ago when you won you took off your shirt and you were very exuberant and we saw continuing that year the Djokovic who liked to perform for the crowd. You had your famous impersonations. Do you think you've become more subdued?
NOVAK DJOKOVIC: I'm less fun now?

BENITO PEREZ: You took it off today, didn't you?
NOVAK DJOKOVIC: Yeah, but I lost my muscles obviously. They didn't like it much.
No, well, look, I don't think my personality is only impersonations, okay? I've done that. I'm glad that in my opinion most of the people liked it.
Look, my point was only to bring up a positive energy and laughs in the people, and that's exactly why I did it. I've been doing it for many years back, you know, not just now when I started having success.
I get more attention obviously with the success. But there were some, well, people and colleagues as well who didn't like what I do, so I just don't want to provoke some negative vibes, if you understand what I'm saying, and just try to do my job on the court.

Q. What things would you say that Tsonga could improve in his game to break through in a big match to the next level?
NOVAK DJOKOVIC: Well, he's got more or less all the shots. I mean, he's improved his backhand a lot. His backhand was for some time in the past a weaker point. But it's he's improving. He steps in more on the backhand, so it's better.
But, look, it's all a couple of points here and there. It's not a huge difference, especially in the important matches between the top players. Even today it was 6-3, 6-4, but, again, it was just couple of points that were deciding a winner.
So it's just a mental ability and if you stand up on the right leg.

Q. A few weeks from now Ana and Jelena are going to try to bring Serbia into the World Group with the Fed Cup. Now in this country, people don't pay attention to the Fed Cup. I have a feeling in Serbia people will be taking note. How big a deal would that be, World Group status?
NOVAK DJOKOVIC: It's a big deal for Fed Cup and Davis Cup. For us, a small country, it's really unexplainable how much success we are getting in this sport in last two, three years. We get a lot of attention back in our country, which is a country of only, you know, eight, nine million people comparing to States and any other bigger countries. It's very small. But, again, we have a lot of success in the team sports, which we always have a long tradition in. But tennis, never. Serbia is, for the first time, you know, the country of Serbia in the World Group in the Davis Cup, it was last year.
Now we have a chance in the Fed Cup, which I think they deserve to be one of the best teams in the world. I mean, they're two great players.
So on the other side, I'm sure that they will have a lot of support and they going to get to the World Group.

Q. Could you talk a little bit about the two possible matchups in the semifinals, Federer or Roddick?
NOVAK DJOKOVIC: I've played them both. I played Roddick this year two times on hardcourts. I really played two bad matches. First one retired in the Australian Open, and second played a quite, quite bad match in Indian Wells.
So I really didn't give him a lot of -- you know, give him a lot of, you know, tough time on the court. He won quite easy in Indian Wells, so I have to change some things if I play him. He's a big server. We all know that he loves playing in the States, and this is where he makes his biggest results and impact.
On the other hand, Roger, there's not much to talk about him. He's so consistent on the major events. He's been so dominant the last couple of years. Tough, tough encounter against the both of them.

 Posted: 02.04.09 08:31. Post subject: Q. How are you feeli..

quote:

Q. How are you feeling? We got an announcement upstairs saying that you had to go into the doctor afterwards. How are you feeling? NOVAK DJOKOVIC: Yeah, well, I've been not feeling well with the stomach last night and this morning, and probably the heat affected as well, combined of course with the pressure on the court and all these things. But, look, it's just incredible the way I stood up and tried to survive there on the court. It was really important for me to win in the straight sets and to save those service games, because I was really lucky. I played some good shots. He made some errors, but I was aggressive when I needed to be, and I was fortunate in the end.

бедный стёкший под кепкой гнус

 Posted: 02.04.09 08:32. Post subject: Q. I noticed you wer..

quote:

Q. I noticed you were bouncing the ball a lot again. Two years ago you were joking, and you said that the reason I bounce it so often is because I like to stay on court a little longer. There was then a period you sort of went back to normal bounces, and today I counted like 19 at a certain point. NOVAK DJOKOVIC: Yeah, yeah, there were certain points I did quite a lot. But, you know, I don't do this on purpose really. This is something you can't explain. I don't know, ask Rafa why he's taking his panties out of -- you know, this is just something that gets in your habit, and this is what I do, you know.

ыыыыыыыыыыыыыыыыыыыыыыыыыы

 Posted: 02.04.09 10:19. Post subject: Джокер ловко выверну..

Джокер ловко вывернулся, на Рафу стрелки перевел, мол, у него привычка - всем привычкам привычка

Ты, Нолик, на других не сворачивай. Нечего уходить от ответственности

 Posted: 02.04.09 10:24. Post subject: хруня Прально сдела..

хруня
Прально сделал, он сказал, что это не объяснить, так что спросите Рафу, может он знает ответ

 Posted: 02.04.09 11:15. Post subject: Стихийное бедствие п..

Стихийное бедствие пишет:

quote:

спросите Рафу, может он знает ответ

Хитрые вы вместе со своим Гнусом... Можно подумать, что Рафу не спрашивали... Рафа только сказал, что надеется, что люди больше смотрят на то, как он играет, а не как... Ага!!!
А в Майами народ уже с плакатом сидит - типа, Рафа, оставь штаны в покое... Надеюсь, Рафа по-английски не читает...

 Posted: 02.04.09 11:21. Post subject: Ольга Коп Да, мы хи..

Ольга Коп
Да, мы хитрые и умело переводим стрелки, чтобы нам мозг не мыли, мы не любим прессинга, у нас очень ранимая гнусная натура и вообще мы болеем

 Posted: 02.04.09 15:14. Post subject: Q. Two years ago whe..

quote:

Q. Two years ago when you won you took off your shirt and you were very exuberant and we saw continuing that year the Djokovic who liked to perform for the crowd. You had your famous impersonations. Do you think you've become more subdued? NOVAK DJOKOVIC: I'm less fun now? BENITO PEREZ: You took it off today, didn't you? (BTW, who is this guy?) NOVAK DJOKOVIC: Yeah, but I lost my muscles obviously. They didn't like it much.

 Posted: 04.04.09 00:55. Post subject: N. DJOKOVIC/R. Feder..

N. DJOKOVIC/R. Federer
3-6, 6-2, 6-3


Q. We're so used to seeing Roger keeping his emotions under control. What was your reaction when you saw him slam his racquet down?
NOVAK DJOKOVIC: Look, it's obvious frustration. I think he can answer better why he did it. I just tried to keep my focus. I was on a roll in this period of the match, so I just tried to continue on playing patiently and win the match.

Q. Were you pleased? Because you started a little shakily today. Took a wee bit of time to get into rhythm or confidence.
NOVAK DJOKOVIC: It did. We played quite a lot of the matches against each other. Mostly our matches were played on this surface, which is quite suitable to his game and my game, as well.
But I think -- I had the biggest success against him on hardcourts. I knew that, but I knew also that I was always starting the matches against him quite unpatiently [sic] and playing more than -- more aggressive than I needed to.
So that was the scenario in the first set today. Even though I served really well, high percentage of the first serve, I was quite nervous and making lost of unforced errors.
But then it changed. I was just playing smarter afterwards.

Q. Did you feel like in the second set there was a key game? I think it was 4-2, five breakpoints. Did you feel like that was the key to the match. Did you feel him unravel after that on the court?
NOVAK DJOKOVIC: Yeah, I felt it. I felt that I have a game -- eve from the start of the match I felt I played well. But then in important moments, break balls, I just make some really uncharacteristic unforced errors.
As I said, later in the match it changed. I just waited more, being more patient and creating the opportunity to make a winner in the point and waiting for his unforced errors.
We kind of changed the roles. I think, yeah, on 3-2 second set it was a key game. Afterwards, I started playing much better.

Q. Is that a shock when you see a player like Roger Federer with his class and greatness give you just points on some of those forehands that he would never miss a few years ago?
NOVAK DJOKOVIC: Well, look, if you make him work - if you make anybody work on the court - it's normal that, you know, if he's not on the top of his level he starts making mistakes.
That's where you need to step it up and use the opportunity. That's what I did today: I returned really well and I always made him play another extra shot, which was important.

Q. Two days ago Roger said that he thought he had your game figured out. Do you think you surprised him a little today?
NOVAK DJOKOVIC: Well, I don't know. I just focused on my own game. We're pretty familiar with each other's game. I think there is no secrets. We played many times against each other, all the top players.
He tried to change the pace a lot on my backhand, and it was working in the first set. Then I started playing much better.

Q. He's been somewhat unpredictable lately. How does that change your attitude going into a match? Do you tend to want to sit back and see what he's doing, or go and play your game anyway?
NOVAK DJOKOVIC: Well, I needed to adjust, and that was really necessary after the first set. It was obvious that I wasn't doing something right, and that he wasn't playing anything special.
He just wasn't playing anything really special. He was just playing really wisely and changing the pace and playing a lot of short slices on my backhand.
That's where he opened up the opportunity to make, you know, offensive shot. That's what it did. Afterwards, I was the one who was changing a lot of pace and I was playing a lot of spins and just waiting patiently.
So you always need to adjust in the match. You know, even though you prepare the tactics before, sometimes it doesn't got the way you imagined or planned it to be. You just have to change it in the match.

Q. Did you sense his frustration even before he mangled the racquet? Did you sense that the frustration was mounting from him?
NOVAK DJOKOVIC: No. I mean, look, Roger really hides his emotion really well, you know, so it wasn't -- I wasn't thinking about him and what he thinks in his head and the way he's playing. I just tried to focus on my game, because I know that I have enough quality to win against him.
I just need to play my game and be more aggressive and more patient in the certain moments. That was all.

Q. Just considering the conditions were quite gusty, did you feel like he was pressing more? You said you were the more patient player. Did you feel like you managed the conditions better than he did?
NOVAK DJOKOVIC: Well, I guess so. You know, it wasn't easy for both of us, that's for sure. You know, playing in the windy conditions it's never easy. Plus the sun getting straight to your visibility when you're tossing the ball to one side about 1:00, 2:00 p.m.
There are a lot of side factors, but it's the same for both of us. We can't pay attention too much on that. You just have to play your game and try to win.

Q. What about the chance to win this tournament after maybe a bit of a slow start on the season. Talk about that.
NOVAK DJOKOVIC: I play -- I think I play on a much higher level these days and I'm playing with more confidence and self-belief. Hopefully I can continue that in the upcoming match.

Q. Can you assess your chances against Del Potro or Andy? You've played them both.
NOVAK DJOKOVIC: I did. I love the last two times against Andy. It was close matches. All our matches were pretty close. But he drastically improved in the last year or so.
But whoever I play, I mean, it's going to be interesting to see who wins from both of them. Even they played a lot of close matches.
But it's a final. Everybody has a lot of motivation to win, and it's a big event. It's really unpredictable.

Q. Did you sea Rafa's match the other night?
NOVAK DJOKOVIC: I seen a little bit.

Q. Any thoughts on that?
NOVAK DJOKOVIC: Well, look, I think Juan Martin played really well and aggressive. He took his chances. He was -- he was brave in the moments he needed to be.

Q. Can you talk a little bit about coping being away from home for so long? Obviously you got your team here and other great Serbian players and the fans wherever you go. Is there anything about home that you miss, such as food, music...
NOVAK DJOKOVIC: That's for sure.

Q. What do you like to have, and do you get to have any on the road when you travel?
NOVAK DJOKOVIC: Now it's better with the food because my mother is here. I can have Serbian cuisine back in the hotel. But you always miss home, I think. You're traveling so much. There are many things.
I was born and grew up there, and I love to be there around my people speaking my language. It's all nostalgy [sic] for your country. But you have to get used to it. I got used to it.
I don't live that often in Belgrade as I do in Monte-Carlo. That's where I'm based now. This is just my life. This is what I've chosen to do.

Q. I think there are two Serbian restaurants in New York City. When you were at the US Open, did they invite you? Have you been there?
NOVAK DJOKOVIC: No, actually not. I'll make sure I visit them.

Q. You talked about Andy's drastic improvement. Do you think it's a mental thing for him? Has he made changes in his game in terms of shot-making?
NOVAK DJOKOVIC: I think many things combined. But physically-wise he's a much stronger and a lot of endurance out on the court. Even though he doesn't look like he's all boost up in him when he plays the match, he doesn't have that body language, but he's strong and has bigger muscles and runs all over the court. I get the feeling he can run a lot.
And he changes the pace a lot. Has is a smart, smart player who doesn't have any huge weapons, but again very solid from all the strokes.

Q. For a long time Roger Federer's forehand was considered the best shot he had, which is saying a lot. But you're not afraid to play him in long rallies to his forehand. You don't mind that forehand battle. Doesn't that change the psychology now when you play him?
NOVAK DJOKOVIC: As I was saying before, it's all about adjustment throughout the match. He played really solid in the first set, but then he started to make a big amount of the unforced errors from that side.
So I tried to change pace and play fast and, then play a bit slower with the more spin. So more variety, as I can say, because he usually expects a ball on the backhand side, because that's where the players try to him.
But, you know, that's -- I think my game was all about today was I'm not giving him any consistency in one side so he can really be comfortable there.
So I think I played well.

Q. You've been No. 3 for almost two, three years. Do you feel like No. 2 is within reach?
NOVAK DJOKOVIC: I don't think one match changes my ranking. But, yeah, there is a lot of time still in front. I'm still No. 3.

 Posted: 04.04.09 01:10. Post subject: Q. What do you like ..

quote:

Q. What do you like to have, and do you get to have any on the road when you travel? NOVAK DJOKOVIC: Now it's better with the food because my mother is here. I can have Serbian cuisine back in the hotel.

Мамочка кормит сыночку ыыыыыыыыыыыыыыыыы наконец-то!!! бедный гнус соскучился по нормальной еде

 Posted: 04.04.09 12:07. Post subject: Shakira to bring Nov..

Shakira to bring Novak luck in Miami

Serbia’s finest tennis player Novak Djokovic has qualified for the quarter-finals of the combined event in Miami. After an outstanding performance Novak beat Czech Republic’s Tomas Berdych 6-3 6-2, while only a day prior to the clash Djokovic had a chance to meet pop star Shakira.

The world’s number three began the encounter in style as he broke Berdych in the third game. That was enough for Djokovic to claim the opening set, keeping his serve games. Novak took another break in the ninth game to seize the set 6-3.
Berdych tried to regroup and fight back in the second set, and the Czech broke Djokovic in the third game but his lead was short-lived. Djokovic rebroke and tied the score to 2-2 and from then on continued his reign on the court. He won the following four games and eased his way into the final eight of the $9m tournament.
Djokovic will have to dispose of Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, who beat Gilles Simon 6-7 6-3 6-2 in the fourth round. The Serb has lost four consecutive head-to-head encounters to Tsonga.
As for Shakira, the Colombian pop star has been watching tennis matches in Miami for the past couple of days. What strikes as interesting is that she has not watched any matches of the women’s event, while on Monday Shakira had a chance to meet Novak Djokovic personally.
After Novak’s win over Paul-Henri Mathieu, Shakira was backstage and had a moment to chat with the players. She praised Djokovic’s performance against Mathieu, while the Serbian was obviously honoured to meet the music star.
Shakira seems to have been most impressed by Spanish players. Feliciano Lopez posed for a photograph with her, while Rafael Nadal gave her a T-shirt. Shakira also proved she was an ardent fan of the Spanish game, having watched Nadal’s match against Frederico Gil.
- “It’s great to finally get to meet the guys I only used to watch on TV. To be honest, I was hoping I would get a chance to meet Nadal back in Abu Dhabi. He is a great person. Away from the tennis court he is a bit shy and quiet, while on it he is a real animal,” said Shakira.
The Miami tournament officials are in eager anticipation of a clash between Serena and Venus Williams, which is on the horizon in the semi-final. The Americans, who reside in a place not too far from where the event takes place, are both through to the quarter-finals and are once again hot favourites to continue their Miami domination, having won eight trophies in the last 11 years.

 Posted: 06.04.09 08:05. Post subject: A. MURRAY/N. Djokovi..

A. MURRAY/N. Djokovic
6-2, 7-5

Q. Obviously a tough match. At first it seemed like Andy was really on and you were off. His passing shots were really tough. What was the most difficult thing you had out there to deal with?
NOVAK DJOKOVIC: Yet again, I was, I think, the biggest enemy to myself. I was struggling again and adjusting to the heat.
But I was really unpatient on the start. Made a huge number of unforced errors, and he was just playing very solid and waiting for his chances and serving quite well, moving all over the court quite good.
Then I managed to come back second set. I didn't play smart on the 5-3. I had two set points, and I could have served a bit better.
I just, you know, got opportunities to get into the rally, but I haven't, you know. He made some good returns on the first set point. On the other set point, double fault.
You know, generally, I'm not really satisfied with the way I played today. I played towards the end of the second set -- throughout the whole second set I played good. Played much better. But then I had to use those opportunities. Then who knows what happens third set.

Q. You are you concerned about your problems with the heat? I mean, it shouldn't be happening to an athlete like yourself.
NOVAK DJOKOVIC: I know. That's just the way it is. I can't fight it.

Q. Is that why you called the trainer?
NOVAK DJOKOVIC: Yeah.

Q. Trouble breathing again?
NOVAK DJOKOVIC: No.

Q. Did you do medical examination for your abilities to stay in the heat?
NOVAK DJOKOVIC: I can't do medical examination for the heat. I mean, only place you can do is Sahara. I can just go there and just examine myself. I'm doing it in the closed area with the air conditioning, and it's not really good example.

Q. You know the first player, Pete Sampras, had the problem with the heat, and he had some kind of anemia.
NOVAK DJOKOVIC: I hope I don't have nothing. It's been for a while like this.

Q. Talk about Andy Murray. You mentioned the other day how much he's improved from a year ago to now. What's the difference?
NOVAK DJOKOVIC: I think physically he's moving much better all over the court. The balls he wasn't getting before he is now.
The switch of defensive to offensive tennis in the points, he has really good, one of the best in the world. I think that makes him a much better player than he used to be.

Q. Particularly his defensive backhand. He turns that into offense so quickly. Do you feel like you had good position at the net on some of those?
NOVAK DJOKOVIC: I think I played volleys quite well, but he was managing to find a little space to pass me. He just made a good passing shot. You have to say, Well done. I was positioning myself as best as I can.
But, again, I'm saying I should have played tactic a little bit different in the start of the match. I was too much aggressive, too many unforced errors.

Q. You felt poorly very early in the match?
NOVAK DJOKOVIC: Yeah, yeah.

Q. Obviously television is a factor, but do you think it's right to play in the hottest time of the day?
NOVAK DJOKOVIC: You know, you can fight it all your life, but this is just the way it is. You know, it's not just players, it's tournament, it's sponsors, television. A lot of things involved, as you know.

Q. Correct me if I'm wrong, I believe your family owns a new tournament in Belgrade.
NOVAK DJOKOVIC: Yes.

Q. Does that put a lot of pressure on you?
NOVAK DJOKOVIC: No. Actually, I'm very happy about it. I'm proud. After couple of years of big success for our country, I think we absolutely deserve to have an event back in Serbia.
I'm happy that my family is directly involved in it. We are working hard already on the site for five, six months already. It's rebuilt absolutely from the start.
It's a new site, new courts. It's going to be nice weather. Hopefully we can make a good impression.

Q. You sort of already answered this, but how pleased were you with your volleying, and have you been working on that?
NOVAK DJOKOVIC: Yes, I was happy. There was a couple things I was happy about today. A volley, here and there a forehand return, but overall, I should -- I think I should use it more, because I have quite good groundstrokes and I'm able to, you know, finish of the point much earlier than I need to and spend less energy. It was quite good today.

Q. Have you been working on this a lot?
NOVAK DJOKOVIC: Yes, yes.
Q. Do you think the volley will make a comeback?

NOVAK DJOKOVIC: Comeback in what sense?

Q. We've seen so much baseline, baseline, baseline. We're getting dizzy.
NOVAK DJOKOVIC: Yes, I know. But it has changed since last 15 years. You don't have any more serve and volley players like Becker.

Q. Are you bringing it back?
NOVAK DJOKOVIC: I cannot be serve and volley player ever. I can make a little variety for your pleasure. (Laughter.)

Q. Which one of the clay court tournaments will you play at? Belgrade and...
NOVAK DJOKOVIC: Yes. If Belgrade offers good money I'll play in Belgrade. I'm going to play Monte-Carlo, Rome, Belgrade, Madrid, and I'll skip French Open. No, I'm joking. дурачок

Q. What did you do to train in the off-season?
NOVAK DJOKOVIC: Well, I had -- I always like to the mountains for about ten days. I grew up on the mountain, and the air is really good. You get lost of oxygen.
I went for a mountain, and then a couple weeks in Monte-Carlo.

Q. Where was the mountain?
NOVAK DJOKOVIC: In Austria.

 Posted: 06.04.09 11:16. Post subject: Q. We've seen so..

quote:

Q. We've seen so much baseline, baseline, baseline. We're getting dizzy. NOVAK DJOKOVIC: Yes, I know. But it has changed since last 15 years. You don't have any more serve and volley players like Becker. Q. Are you bringing it back? NOVAK DJOKOVIC: I cannot be serve and volley player ever. I can make a little variety for your pleasure.

Ыыыыыыыыыыыыыыыыыыыы, дурачооооооок, но наконец-то мы дождались от него serve & volley, я была бесконечно рада это лицезреть

 Posted: 07.04.09 08:29. Post subject: The Asphalt Couch Ma..

The Asphalt Couch
Many of you may recall my No Djoke post of March, 2007, which represents my first close look at Novak Djokovic, and ended with the question, is he The Perfect Player?. It was, of course, a rhetorical question intended to create discussion (which it did). But I must say I was genuinely blown-away by young Novak's game. As many of you know, the game I most admire is a game in which significant power is delivered in as smooth and streamlined a way as possible. Clean is good. Simple is good. The less moving parts a guy (or girl) has, the better I like it. A backhand doesn't need interesting bits, A forehand doesn't benefit from exaggeration, or flourishes. It's a tennis stroke, not a violin concerto.

But somehow, that elegance (for not everything simple is elegant, but something elegant is almost always simple) vanished from Djokovic's game at around the time he won the Australian Open in 2008, or maybe it never was quite the way I experienced and described it back in the desert in '07. And over the past few months, I've watched the guy and repeatedly asked myself: Can he really be moving and playing so differently - is it even possible? Suddenly, that wonderful marriage of efficiency and execution that adds up to an irresistible aura of purposefulness - that sense Djokovic always made the right decision, and executed it with a lethal lack of fuss or complication - was gone.

Suddenly, it seemed, the moving parts were becoming far more obvious. Where once he looked resilient, he now looked hinged. There was a flying elbow here, a too-prodigious backswing there, and kind of loose-jointedness I'd not seen before in Djokovic's disciplined, economical game. He seemed more willing to engage in aimless rallying, taking a big cut at the ball because he could, or because the other guy did, and Novak decided to go him one better..That glorious instinct for advancing the plot seemed to have dimmed. When I watched his torso at work, I was less struck by the easy, exquisitely timed rotation than those arms and that racket windmilling around. He'd been a jet, now he was a helicopter. I exaggerate to make my point.

I honestly confess I have no idea to what degree these perceptions were reality-based; on the other hand, they grew out of watching a real guy playing real matches, not my imagination. Yesterday's final in Miami, in which Andy Murray crushed Djokovic, left me feeling that I wasn't entirely off the mark. Because there were times in the match, mainly in the early parts of the second set, when the old Perfect Player seemed to emerge from hiding. That Djokovic, having found his long lost friend, didn't cling to his coattails and make more of a match of it was disturbing. And that was my big take-away from the final. Somewhere along the way Djokovic had wandered off message, and perhaps so far that he no longer knows what that message is. And now he's paying the price.

The switch to a new racket certainly accelerated that process, if indeed that's what's going on. Feeling the pressure of having to "protect" something (a title, a ranking, a reputation) probably factored into it, too. The psychology of defending is different from that of attacking, and it carries an enormous temptation to sit back and wait, to focus too much on repelling and not enough on pre-empting. Remember, it was Pete Sampras who said that the toughest job in tennis is defending a major title. You need to behave like the man to beat, but resting on your laurels and just challenging rivals to take their best shot is too passive an approach. The sheer number of hours Djokovic has logged on the court may come into it as well. It's probably easy to lose your sense of purpose when you know that just going through the motions is good enough to get you quarters and semis most anywhere.

I didn't get a chance to attend the press conferences: I listened to them beneath headphones in the press room as I wrote my analysis for Tennis.com. But I was certain someone would have asked the question I had, and what to me was - by far - the most pertinent question of the day: Is this guy (Murray) in your head?. Well nobody did. To me, though, the evidence was pretty compelling - Murray is 3-0 vs. Djokovic in their most recent meetings. And, as my report for Tennis.com suggested, that ragged and sloppy start, combined with the way Djokovic rolled over after briefly finding his game in set 2, to be broken in an atrociously played and hugely significant game at 5-5, was nothing short of startling. This is a Grand Slam champ we're talking about - something even red-hot Andy Murray can't claim.

But having slept on it, I think there's an even larger and more pertinent question to ask: Has Djokovic lost his way? Has he drifted away from his best game, like an improperly moored boat slowly moving out with the tide until suddenly the land is no longer visible? It can happen. All kinds of things can happen - just look at Guillermo Coria. The ability to stay on top of your game, and do the things and make the decisions that keep you there, is a specific talent. It's possible to have a great game without knowing it, and to ride it to glory. It's also possible to get bucked off, if you get a little lazy or sloppy. Still without knowing it, despite the painful experience.

If I were Djokovic, I would watch this final over and over, no matter how painful it may be, because it seemed so graphically to illustrate why he's had trouble getting traction this year. The shift from defensive to offensive tennis, the failure to finish the job those suddenly successful attacks started, the attempts to go for too much, alternating with bouts of indecision and uncertainty - they were all telling. Plus, you know Murray - he's the tennis shrink who lays a guy down on the asphalt couch and asks him all the tough and uncomfortable questions about his game. He ought to charge his opponents by the hour. Too bad most guys probably don't have the stomach (or is it humility?) to ask if he'd burn them a DVD to take home with them, so they could study it.

But that's just what Djokovic should do. It's unusual for a Grand Slam champion to find himself in these straits so soon after vaulting onto the big stage. But remember, this guy has an awful lot going on, starting with his role and obligations as a Serbian icon - a personage in a culture with a very powerful and deep hunger for recognition, and enormous, volatile passions. He's got a complicated life, which is all the more reason for him to re-discover the uncomplicated game that was once elegant as well as efficient.

 Posted: 08.04.09 08:55. Post subject: Taking stock of men&..

Taking stock of men's players
What if there were a stock exchange for tennis players? The start of the 2009 season would have produced wild gyrations, week-to-week uncertainty and only a few standouts amid the sliding prospects … a lot like the real financial markets, in fact.

With the first quarter in the books, here's a look at how the players rate going into the clay season.

Rafael Nadal: BUY

Forget the Big Four; there's only one giant in men's tennis at the moment.

Nadal has managed to exceed the high expectations surrounding him this season, winning his first hard-court major at the Australian Open and following up with a title at the BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells. It's the strongest start he's ever had, with his favorite part of the year still ahead.

There's only one nagging question: With all the energy he's expended, does he now have enough left to complete his usual sweep of the clay circuit?

On the one hand: yes, he really is that good. On the other, the 22-year-old Spaniard has also set up an unrealistic schedule for himself, committing to events at Monte Carlo, Barcelona, Rome, Madrid and, of course, the French Open. That's a grueling eight-week stretch with only two weeks of rest built in, so the likelihood of the odd loss or pullout is perhaps greater than in the past.

Overall, though, there's no one capable of regularly outperforming him on the dirt. His biggest challenge will be the bar he has set for himself in the past few years. Nadal actually feels his past successes have taken pressure off him by providing a hedge against any future letdowns.

It's a wise attitude, and should serve him well when he sets out to try to win a record five straight French Opens. That would surely establish him alongside, or above, Bjorn Borg as the greatest clay-court player in history, and send his stock soaring.

Roger Federer: SELL

It was the racket smash heard around the world, the perfect punctuation to Federer's current struggles. But by sending his frame hurtling to the ground against Novak Djokovic in the Sony Ericsson Open semifinals last week, at least Federer showed that he, too, knows something is wrong.

Having been the tour's best blue-chip performer and a model citizen over the past five years, Federer has arguably earned the right to have a lapse or even throw a racket without having to face an international inquisition.

More dangerous indicators are the nature of his losses -- he has dropped the deciding set against his three biggest rivals in the three biggest tournaments so far this year -- and his refusal to acknowledge that a pattern is now developing.

Both indicate that the current problem is mental. On the court, Federer's game has broken down at critical times in ways that suggest a little hesitation or self-doubt as he tries to grab control of a point, causing him to be a fraction late. Off the court, he appears to be taking each loss extremely hard, and the cumulative emotional toll might make it harder to bounce back.

Falling from such dizzy heights can be disorienting. Maybe it's time for the words of a fellow racket-smasher, Goran Ivanisevic: "Sometimes when you are winning too much, you think you should never lose again. I am learning to lose."

Federer will get through this learning process at some point, but things could get worse before they get better.

Novak Djokovic: HOLD

Only his run to the Miami final last week keeps Djokovic out of the SELL column. Victory over a depleted field in Dubai doesn't offset the quarterfinal defeats to Andy Roddick at the Australian Open and Indian Wells, and even Djokovic's performances last week were mixed. He tottered badly toward the end of his match against Jo-Wilfried Tsonga and failed to show up in the first set against Federer. And despite a late charge in the second set, he was thoroughly dominated by Andy Murray in the final.

His repeated problems in the heat this year are a definite concern, but if it's a simply a temperature issue and his fitness isn't at fault, the European spring weather might not bother him too much.

There'll be a lot happening around Djokovic during the next few weeks: First, Murray is looking almost certain to snatch away the Serb's No. 3 spot before the French Open. Then there are also the preparations for Djokovic's family-owned tournament in Belgrade, around which there has already been a bit of conflict.

That adds even more weight to his already-sagging shoulders, but if things go well there, it might help him going forward.

Andy Murray: BUY

His 26-2 win-loss record is the best on tour this year, and the only thing to find fault with is the timing of one of those losses. A combination of illness and Fernando Verdasco sent Murray out of the Australian Open in the fourth round. Other than that, he's been close to perfect: titles in Doha, Rotterdam and Miami, with only a pullout at Dubai and a loss to Nadal in the Indian Wells final in between.

In theory, Murray's game is well-suited to dirt, but his belief is lacking. He says his goal for the clay season is simply to "try and reach the quarterfinals of one of the big tournaments."

But despite the modest words, he's aware of the opportunity this part of the year provides. Djokovic will have to outperform Murray by over 2,000 ranking points if he wants to prevent the Scot from reaching No. 3 (which would be the highest-ever ranking held by a British player). And Murray is looking even farther ahead in his calculations. "If you got rid of the clay-court season's points, I think I would be very close to Roger, and not too far behind Rafa," he mused after winning in Miami over the weekend.

Two-time French Open finalist Alex Corretja will also be returning to the Murray team for the clay swing. There's every chance Murray could make a good run in the next few weeks and keep closing the gap with Federer and Nadal.

Juan Martin del Potro: BUY

He has started the year solidly, and a clutch three-set win in Miami against his idol Nadal has the potential to be a career-changer. He also did well to challenge Murray in their semifinal meeting the day after his marathon with Nadal, but the erratic performance was a sign that he's not yet as consistent as he needs to be to reach the top of the game.

He's now ranked a career-high No. 5, and though he's a long way behind No. 4, it's an impressive achievement for a 20-year-old. Del Potro insists hard courts are his favorite surface, but he won back-to-back clay events after Wimbledon last year and has few problems on the surface.

Last year, he was stalled by injury during this period of the season. This year looks much more promising.
Andy Roddick: HOLD
He has come up short against Federer and Nadal, but Roddick has otherwise had a solid first quarter, going 26-5 to start the year. That's the good news.

The bad news is that those numbers probably won't be moving in a positive direction for most of the second quarter.

With his wedding around the corner, it doesn't look like Roddick is putting much focus on the clay season this year. Still, anything he does on the dirt is gravy, and his stock should rise again when the grass rolls around.

Jo-Wilfried Tsonga: HOLD

Tsonga made a good if not great start to the year in winning in Johannesburg, South Africa, and Marseille, France, and producing a respectable quarterfinal result at the Australian Open. But he was extremely disappointed by France's first-round loss to the Czech Republic in Davis Cup and seems to still be searching for a little inspiration.

Injuries are always a threat and his game is not best suited to clay, which makes it hard to predict great things for the next few weeks. But if the charismatic Frenchman arrives at the French Open fully fit, the home crowd could inspire him to make a run.

Fernando Verdasco: HOLD

Injuries have held Verdasco back after his excellent run at the Australian Open, but the Spaniard should still be able to maintain his elevated form for the next few months. Hard courts have historically been better for him than clay, but it'll be interesting to see how he does at his hometown event in Madrid, where he'll be feted like a hero.

James Blake: SELL

It's been a disappointing first quarter for the 29-year-old American, with only one win over a top-30 player. Blake admits it's getting harder to recover physically from matches, and he hasn't won two in a row since early February. He did reach a quarterfinal in Rome last year, but his current inconsistency makes it hard to see a repeat of that. Even when the tour returns to grass and hard courts, it'll be a big challenge for him to get back into the top 10.

Sam Querrey: HOLD

Like Blake, Querrey produced an unexpected quarterfinal result on clay last year, reaching the final eight in Monte Carlo. Unlike Blake, however, Querrey is still on the upswing and even prefers clay to grass.

The odds are against making another shock quarterfinal, but the 21-year-old has really solidified his game over the past year and still has some upside.

Kamakshi Tandon is a freelance tennis writer for ESPN.com.