Posted: 24.04.09 07:31. Post subject: Goran Đokovi..
Goran Đoković za list SPORT o predstojećem Serbia Open-u! Na obrisima zapuštenog sportskog centra Milan Gale Muškatirović poslednjih meseci izdiže se teniski kompleks koji nije viđen u ovom delu Evrope. Suve šljive sa marcipanom, Novakovo brdo i Novakova voda, Karlsberg žurke, vrhunski ketering, promo vilidž samo su neki od detalja koji će krasiti turnir u Beogradu.
Ne samo zbog objekata poput gigantskog centralnog stadiona, moderne upravne zgrade sa restoranom, šatora sličnih onima u Dubaiju, mini trgova i sličnog, već i zbog atmosfere o kojoj će se sigurno još dugo po završetku turnira pričati na sve strane. Za sve to je zaslužan prvi čovek "Srbija opena" Goran Đoković, koji je uz veliku podršku gradskih čelnika, pokazao da uprkos svim problemima može da sprovede izuzetno ambiciozne planove u delo. I to za jako kratko vreme.
- Radovi se vrše u tri smene, tokom 24 sata, a trenutno je na gradilištu 200 radnika iz raznih firmi. Ukupno smo uvezli 150 šlepera opreme, ali ništa nam nije teško jer želimo da pokažemo svetu i našim ljubiteljima tenisa šta je pravi turnir. Problemi postoje, bez toga se ne može, ali kada pogledam centralnu zgradu, terene, šljaku i klince sve se zaboravlja. Tada postajem ponosan na ono što je urađeno i što će tek biti završeno. Omela nas je i finansijska kriza, ali kada smo ulazili u ovaj posao, tokom novembra, nismo ni znali šta će da se dogodi. Zbog svih tih okolnosti mislili smo na obične ljude i zato smo ponudili najjeftiniju cenu karata koja je ikada viđena na ATP takmičenjima, jer smo želeli da omogućimo i onima sa tanjim novčanikom da barem na trenutak uživaju u vrhunskom tenisu - kaže Goran Đoković.
Srbija open na Dorćolu biće po jednim stvarima sličan Rolan Garosu, a po drugim Vimbldonu. Ipak, imaće i dosta originalnih detalja, po kojima će biti prepoznatljiv u celom svetu. - Na centralnom terenu biće postavljen ekran veličine 40 kvadratnih metara. Međutim, to neće biti sve. Duplo veći stajaće u delu kompleksa koji će nositi naziv "Novakovo brdo" po uzoru na "Henmans hil" na Vimbldonu. Specijalne firme iz Holandije, Izraela, Italije i Švajcarske vode računa o elektronici i MGM će krasiti najmodernija tehnološka dostignuća iz ovog polja. Dalje, u delu u blizini bazena izgradiće se Adidasov deo za navijače. Tamo će svi koji budu želeli moći preko ekrana da odigraju virtuelni tenis protiv Novaka, na video animaciji. Slična stvar postoji na Garosu, a pokazala se izvanrednom. Interesantno je da je i Nole igrao protiv samog sebe, a nije uspeo da uzme nijedan poen. Ja sam, pak, uspeo da osvojim cela dva poena - kroz smeh priča Goran.
Šta će sve biti na meniju, jer se igrači često žale na hranu na turnirima po svetu? - Ceo ketering će obavljati hotel "Holidej in". O hrani će se, dakle, brinuti vrhunski kuvari, a na meniju će dominirati ono što igračima najviše odgovara, kao što je piletina i pasta. Ipak, po uzoru na Vimbldon gde se služe jagode i šampanjac, imaćemo i mi svoj specijalitet. Reč je o suvim šljivama sa marcipanom, koje će, nadam se, postati prepoznatljiv detalj Srbija opena – zaključuje Đoković.
Turnir počinje drugog maja, kvalifikacionim mečevima, a traje do 10. u mesecu. Nagradni fond je 450.000 evra.
SPISAK IGRAČA NIJE ZAKLjUČEN Bagdatis želi da dođe
Prva zvezda turnira biće ujedno i domaćin Novak Đoković. Od stranaca tu su Stepanek, Kanjas, Nišikori, Hanesku i drugi. - Zadovoljni smo spiskom tenisera koji će učestvovati na takmičenju, posebno jer je reč o prvoj godini održavanja. Ipak, kako je ostalo još jedno mesto upražnjeno postoji mogućnost da nam se pridruži neko od velikih imena. Javio nam se Markos Bagdatis koji bi želeo da učestvuje, i moguće je da ćemo mu dati vajld kartu, ali ostavićemo prostor da dovedemo, ipak, nekog još atraktivnijeg igrača. Što se tiče imena koja su ranije bila u opticaju, na primer, Verdasko je zaista trebalo da dođe. Međutim, već je bio prijavljen za Eštoril u Portugaliji i zbog ispunjenog rasporeda nije bio u mogućnosti da se odazove i našem pozivu - kaže Đoković
DOMAĆINSKI ODNOS Vrhunski tretman čeka tenisere
- Jako važan deo turnira jeste tretman prema igračima. Novak odlično zna šta im treba i fali tokom takmičenja, pa ćemo se potruditi da ih sve ugostimo na pravi način. To, između ostalog, podrazumeva i internet kafe u sobi za igrače, organizovaćemo im sjajan plejers parti, svi se raspituju za beogradske splavove i ostali vid zabave u našoj prestonici. Naša želja je da se osećaju kao kod kuće. Domaćinski odnos imaćemo i prema posetiocima za koje ćemo organizovati Karlsberg žurke. Već pregovaramo sa poznatim di džej imenima, ali veći deo organizacije u vezi sa tim odradiće ova firma.
SPEC. Tokom turnira posetiocima će biti podeljeno 200.000 flašica specijalne vode "Akva Novak". Proizvođač je izvor "Rajković" iz Valjeva
GIGANTSKI CENTRALNI STADION Najveći objekat na Balkanu
Kompleksom dominira stadion, koji je montažnog tipa, sličan onima u Gštadu, Kicbilu i Sent Morisu. - Centralni stadion u MGM kada bude završen primaće 7.500 gledalaca, i biće najveći privremeni objekat tog tipa na Balkanu. Izvesno je da će na finalu sve biti ispunjeno do poslednjeg mesta, baš kao i na polufinalnim duelima. Prodaja ide dobro i za ostale dane i verujem da će poseta ispuniti sva očekivanja. Sama postavka tribina teče kako treba, iako smo imali kraći zastoj. Naime, grčka kompanija koja je montirala tribine pokazala se prilično neprofesionalno i čak su ugrozili ceo projekat. Zato smo angažovali Švajcarce koji zajedno sa stručnjacima iz firme BG tehnik majstorski rade posao. Visina tribina je šest metara, a iza sedišta na vrhu biće podijum sa šatorima, po uzoru na atmosferu sa srednjevekovnih dvoraca - priča Đoković.
SPEC. Spomenik Majoru Gavriloviću biće centralni detalj jednog od trgova na kompleksu MGM oko koga će biti izgrađen promo vilidž sa štandovima poznatih kompanija
But that may soon be changing with No. 3 Novak Djokovic and No. 4 Andy Murray in pursuit. In fact, Djokovic has been one match win away three times since May 2008 of becoming No. 2, only to lose the opportunity.
After ATP World Tour No. 1 Rafael Nadal began his clay court campaign with a record fifth consecutive title at the Monte-Carlo Rolex Masters and strengthened his lead at the top, the battle for No. 2 going into Roland Garros is underway.
Murray, who has held No. 4 for 32 consecutive weeks since Sept. 8, 2008, is off to a career-best 29-3 start, and he's closing quickly on Djokovic. The 21-year-old Serb has ranked No. 3 every week since July 9, 2007 except one (Aug. 6, ’07).
With the 2008 Monte-Carlo points dropping off next Monday, Federer will lose 700 points, Djokovic 450 points and Murray 150 points. Murray will narrow the gap to 110 points going into the fourth ATP World Tour Masters 1000 tournament in Rome, which begins Apr. 27.
Here is what the trio's point totals will look like in next Monday's South African Airways 2009 ATP Rankings:
Ranking Points 2) Roger Federer 10,060 3) Novak Djokovic 9,160 4) Andy Murray 9,050
Rome was held one week later last year and the 2008 points will drop on May 11 with Djokovic losing 1,000 points for his title, Federer 250 and Murray 70. Here are the minimum point totals (without the '09 Rome points added on May 4 and Belgrade points on May 11):
Ranking Points 2) Roger Federer 9,810 3) Andy Murray 8,980 4) Novak Djokovic 8,160
The following week on May 18, the points from 2008 Hamburg will drop with Federer losing 700 points from his runner-up effort, Djokovic 450 points from the semi-finals and Murray 150 points from the third round. Here are the minimum point totals (without the '09 Rome, Belgrade and Madrid points added):
Ranking Points 2) Roger Federer 9,110 3) Andy Murray 8,830 4) Novak Djokovic 7,710
In 2009, Nadal and Murray have accumulated the most points in nearly four months of action (as of Apr. 20) with both players leading the ATP World Tour with three titles and a 29-3 match record. Here's a look at the Top 5 players based on 2009 results only:
Ranking Points 1) Rafael Nadal 4,605 2) Andy Murray 2,980 3) Novak Djokovic 2,420 4) Roger Federer 2,100 5) Andy Roddick 2,000
All that hard work for nothing whe next weeks the points will dropp off Novak have to win each match from now on to ensure he's still 3rd the only positive from this he can look at Rafa who was in the same situation last year and yet maintained his 2d place and gone on to be number1
Posted: 25.04.09 10:31. Post subject: Novak Đokovi..
Novak Đoković posetio FMP Najbolji srpski teniser Novak Đoković posetio je školu košarke kluba FMP iz Železnika, gde se družio i razgovarao sa decom.
Đoković je u neformalnoj atmosferi razgovarao sa učenicima košarkaške škole, koji su sa oduševljenjem dočekali trećeg tenisera sveta. Novak je deci poklanjao teniske loptice koje im je potpisivao. Đoković je na kraju posete pokušao da se "ispiše", ali je njegov komentar "samo da se ne obrukam" bio suvišan, pošto je trojku pogodio iz prvog pokušaja. Mladi tim FMP-a u petak uveče putuje za Berlin, na završni turnir juniora Evrolige, na kome brani titulu.
Zakazana je revijalna utakmica između novinara i uprave kluba, za koju će igrati i nekadašnja NBA zvezda Detlef Šrempf.
Bivši reprezentativac Nemačke gostuje u FMP-u kao predstavnik kompanije Adidas, čiju opremu nosi mladi tim.
Posted: 26.04.09 21:50. Post subject: DJOKOVIC LOOKS TO N..
DJOKOVIC LOOKS TO NEW FITNESS COACH FOR CLAY SEASON In an interview on Sunday at the Foro Italico, defending champion Novak Djokovic spoke of his decision to hire a new fitness coach to get him through the rest of the clay-court season and to prepare the transition to grass ahead of Wimbledon.
“I had a break after Monte-Carlo,” said the world No3, “and have been working solely on fitness. I’ll be needing this a lot in the next period with so many important events – Rome, Belgrade, Roland Garros… and then the transition to grass is very short. It’ll be a very exhausting period but I feel fine.”
Djokovic has been the victim of some high-profile retirements – seven in total in fact, with four in Grand Slams, the most recent coming at this year’s Australian Open where a number of players suffered from the extreme heat. His decision to concentrate on fitness and change conditioning coach therefore seems to be the right one.
“I’ve changed fitness coach – I’ve taken on Gebhardt, who was Thomas Muster’s coach,” the Serb explained. “It’s been a painful week! He’s a new person with lots of innovations, but he hasn’t changed everything for the sake of it. We’re working from a good basis already and concentrating on endurance, on strength in the legs. I’m always trying to improve myself in any aspect, and as soon as I feel like I can’t improve any more with a certain member of the team, then I say ‘sorry, no hard feelings’. I feel like things are coming together and hopefully I can reach the highest level for the most important tournaments. I am the defending champion here so there is a lot of expectation, but I like the courts here – they’re faster.”
“It’s cruel though – men’s tennis,” he continued. “If you want to compete with the top three or four, you need to make the semi-finals at every event! I feel like I’m back on track though. I won in Dubai and made the final at Monte Carlo and in Miami, and I want to keep it up.”
As the questions switched into Italian, it was mentioned that Djokovic could face Potito Starace in his opening match should the home favourite beat Albert Montanes in the first round. “It’s not easy to play an Italian to start off with,” he conceded. “He’ll have the support behind him, but I’m still favourite.” For the match maybe, but not the tournament, the defending champion stated. “Rafa (Nadal) is the favourite – here, in fact anywhere, on any surface.”
Posted: 26.04.09 21:52. Post subject: Приятная неожиданная..
Приятная неожиданная новость, Ноль сменил тренера по физухе!!!!тьфу тыщу раз гнус у тебя все-таки варит котелок. Удачи гнусу и надеюсь этот тренер действительно поможет!
Posted: 27.04.09 14:38. Post subject: Вооот, соображают, г..
Вооот, соображают, где у Ноля главная слабина. Правильное решение, ИМХО. Если физически игрок не прибавляет из года в год, значит что-то делается не так. Конечно, сразу эти перемены в плюс не сыграют, но если он не решит свои проблемы с физухой, то и конкурировать на равных не сможет. Так что главное на месте не стоять и искать варианты.
It has been pointed out that Rafael Nadal's limited English in turn limits his ability to attract endorsements. If this be the case (which I doubt very much), there is still hope.
For a "how-to" on how to attract endorsements, turn to Novak "the Djoker" Djokovic. It is not love that is the universal language, but in this traditionally proper and aristocratic sport, humor slices its way through cultural boundaries and makes the Djoker priceless.
Go on YouTube and type in Novak Djokovic, and countless videos show the Djoker doing what he does best, i.e., entertainment, both on and off the court, and with his own particular brand of humor.
From his locker room antics to that now famous U.S Open impersonations show of beloved colleagues, the Djoker is a breath of freshly needed ha ha into a sport where the top two ambassadors (no names required) have carved their own brand of humbleness, modesty, and sophistication.
The Djoker offers escape into a world of humor, an absolutely priceless trait, and an absolute marketer's dream.
Here is my prediction: the Djoker will be the most bankable tennis athlete by the end of 2010. After the disaster that was the 2008 U.S. Open, the Djoker has done a great job of incrementally regaining public favor, and more importantly, stimulating discussion.
First, the fact that his family has now bought the Serbia Open can only be a positive thing, showing the Djoker's commitment to the sport he loves. Second, the Head commercial that he features in is hopefully one of many more commercials to follow.
This commercial hilariously leverages the Djoker's brand of humor. Other companies would be wise to recognize that a funny athlete is a rare diamond that should be polished and shown to the world.
Of course, the Djoker cannot just rely on his humor brand to win endorsements. Tournament results will also have a large effect. However, the Djoker is currently on an upswing, reaching the Monte Carlo 2009 final.
While performance can turn faster than Djokovic can let out a Sharapova grunt, his young age, his awesome power, and his never say die attitude are all positive indications of future results.
The Djoker Magic Formula:
Results + Humor = a unique tennis brand that marketers cannot ignore.
While in Rome, Serbia’s number one tennis star Novak Djokovic will be gathering momentum for the first ever ATP event in his home county – the 2009 Serbia Open in Belgrade. The world’s number three will have the most immediate task of defending his title at the Rome Open this week, but his effort at the event will be seriously challenged by the rest of the ATP top four – Rafael Nadal, Roger Federer and Andy Murray. Novak and Federer are in the same section of the draw and are destined to meet in the semi-final. At the start of the competition Djokovic plays the winner of the match between Potito Starace of Italy and Spaniard Albert Montanes, while his first formidable obstacle could present itself in the third round in the shape of either Tommy Robredo or Marat Safin. If everything goes according to plan for Djokovic, his quarter-final opposition could be Stanislas Wawrinka or Martin del Potro. It is no secret that all of the participating players consider Rome one of their favourite places to visit on the ATP Tour. Novak Djokovic too has fine memories of the Italian capital. - “We will be playing in one of the most beautiful cities in the world. The Italian cuisine is one of my favourite ones, as I adore pasta and fish with plenty of vegetables, especially when it’s prepared in Italy,” says the Serbian tennis star. The venue of the Rome event will be the Foro Italico, where a charity exhibition match was played on Sunday, the proceeds of which will go into research of leukaemia, lymphoma and myeloma. The research is funded by the Fede Lux charitable foundation, established by the family of late Federico Luzzi, an Italian tennis player who died of leukaemia in October 2008 at the age of 28. Apart from Novak Djokovic, Roger Federer and Andy Murray – with only Rafa Nadal missing due to his final match in Barcelona – other players who participated in the exhibition match were Simone Bolelli, Andreas Seppi, Potito Starace, Fabio Fognini, Flavio Cipolla, Filippo Volandri and Danielle Bracciali. Novak played against Andreas Seppi and won the exhibition set 6-4.
It’s a spring Sunday ritual. Take a walk, lie in the park, examine New York City as it turns green all around you, and then go back home and watch Rafael Nadal pummel some poor glum soul into the red European dust. After yesterday’s version of this scenario played out as anticipated, I began to wonder whether it was finally time to add a third item to the brief list of life’s absolutes: Can we now say, “Death, taxes, and Nadal on clay”?
Last week I stated that there isn’t much new to say about how Nadal wins, on clay or any other surface. At 22, he’s already reached the stage where he’s hoisting trophies for the fifth straight time, as he did on Sunday with the supersized cup that he can barely lift over his head each year in Barcelona. So, seemingly with nothing left to observe about the guy, I put down the notebook for Nadal’s final yesterday against David Ferrer and sat back to watch as a spectator.
But that’s the thing about Nadal. Within his seemingly regimented—“one-dimensional”—game, he rarely fails to come up with something unexpected, something you haven’t quite seen even after watching him hundreds of times. Against Ferrer it was Nadal’s down-the-line forehand that looked new to me. He routinely cut off the angle on his opponent’s crosscourt backhand near the service line and, without stopping to set up in any conventional sense, drilled his forehand into the corner for an easy winner. I associate this “running through the ball” style of transition attack with Roger Federer, not with Nadal, but the Spaniard had the confidence yesterday to throw all grind-it-out caution to the wind.
That said, there’s one other notable aspect about Nadal that continues to stick out this clay season: Even while he’s doing something unprecedented, and even while he can appear for long periods to be utterly invincible, he remains human on the court. That is, he remains subject to anxieties, dry spells, inexplicable shanks, and even the occasional tactical blunder. After winning the first set over Ferrer pretty much at will, Nadal’s level dropped in the second, and more than a few shots flew wildly off his frame. John McEnroe once said of Federer at his peak that he screwed up just enough to let you know he was human, before rising to the occasion and becoming infallible again. This combination made Federer even more impressive than if he’d been perfect all the way through. If anything, I’ve always felt this was even truer of Nadal: He lets you know that winning is work, and that one missed shot here or there—Ferrer nearly reached set point on Nadal’s serve in the second—is all it would take for him to end up on the losing side of any given day. As with Federer once upon a time, this only makes the fact that Nadal doesn’t lose those key points that much more impressive.
I went to bed Sunday night having just listened to Tennis Channel commentators Jason Goodall and Robbie Koenig call the Barcelona final. This morning I woke up, turned on the TV, and heard them announcing first-round matches at the Masters event in Rome—the tour is in full swing. As Nadal himself said after the final in Indian Wells, while contemplating a late flight that same night to Miami, “The good thing of tennis is when lose you have another chance next week. The bad thing is when you win, next Tuesday you are [playing] another time.”
It’s not that bad, Rafa: This week you shouldn’t have to play until Wednesday. But as I write this, the first round in rainy Rome is going on (speaking of spring rituals, James Blake is about to lose to a no name). The other members of the Big 4, Federer, Murray, and Djokovic, will all come to the Foro Italico with more rest than Nadal. Can any of them take him off my short list of life’s sure things?
First Quarter The question for Nadal, and for this tournament, is how he feels in regard to his French Open preparation. Does he need some rest, or can he keep going at full speed all the way through Sunday? This question is tied up with whether he plans to enter Madrid in two weeks—apparently he’s wary of playing at altitude there so soon before Paris. Last year Nadal was in a similar situation when he came to Rome, and he lost early to Juan Carlos Ferrero. While he cited blisters afterward, he didn’t seem too broken up about getting a few days off before playing in Hamburg the next week and making the final push to Paris.
This year Nadal didn’t have to work overly hard in Barcelona. He won his semi and final in straight sets and didn’t have to play a quarterfinal at all after David Nalbandian pulled out. So I would expect Nadal, despite some trepidation, to go after the title in Rome the way he usually does, and to be fresh enough physically to do it.
But even with a couple days off, his first round could be tricky. Nadal will play the winner of Andreas Seppi, who has beaten him on hard courts, and Sam Querrey, who has challenged him on clay. The other half of his section is relatively stacked—Verdasco, Tsonga, Gasquet, Almagro, Gulbis, and Andreev are all there, but Nadal will only have to face one of them, in the quarters.
First-round matches to watch: Almagro-Gulbis, Tsonga-Gasquet. Semifinalist: Nadal
Second Quarter After reaching his first clay-court semifinal in Monte Carlo, Andy Murray continues his learn-the-dirt campaign of 2009. Think of it as a tennis version of Hillary Clinton’s crafty “listening tour” of New York state in 2000. Murray is taking the pressure off himself by saying that this spring he's essentially conducting research for the future.
He’ll have to be a quick study, because his first opponent might be Argentine dirtballer Juan Monaco. The two played a three-setter on hard courts on Miami last month before Murray prevailed. If they play again in Rome, we’ll get an idea of how the Scot matches up against a guy who makes his living on this stuff.
If he succeeds there, Murray might have to play either Nikolay Davydenko or Fernando Gonzalez in the quarters. He beat Kolya, a more natural clay-courter who seems revived after coming back from an injury, in a tough two-setter in Monte Carlo. If they play again, it should be equally tight. Semifinalist: Davydenko
Third Quarter Which Novak Djokovic will we see in Roma? He’s the defending champion, and he’s coming off a Monte Carlo run that brought out his best tennis of the year so far—more than at any time in 2009, he fought well when he had to and didn't let his emotions get the best of him.
But if we’ve learned anything about the Serb over the last year, it’s that he’s more prone to unpredictability and mental inconsistency than we once thought. Still, I like his draw. Of the guys in his immediate vicinity, only Safin and Robredo seem at all capable of beating him, and those two play each other in the first round. On the other side we might get a showdown between Del Potro and Wawrinka, a match I’d give to Stan based on current form. Semifinalist: Djokovic
Fourth Quarter Do you have a clue as to how Roger Federer might play in Rome? If so, you’re a step ahead of me. No matter what he says, his personal life must be a bit of a distraction at the moment, and so far it’s one that hasn’t relaxed him on the court.
Federer’s draw won’t help take the edge off, either. Last year he lost to Radek Stepanek in Rome, and he might find himself across from the Agitator again this time—they’re slotted to play in the third round. That is, if Federer gets past his potential opening match against Ivo Karlovic, never a fun thing to do, no matter what the surface.
On the other side, Simon, Ferrer, Berdych, and the improving Italian Fognini will fight it out to make the quarters. I got burned picking Ferrer to reach the final in Monte Carlo, but I liked the way he dictated much of the play in the second set against Nadal in Barcelona. Semifinalist: Ferrer
Semifinals: Nadal d. Davydenko; Djokovic d. Ferrer
Posted: 30.04.09 19:57. Post subject: DJOKOVIC: “WHEN I NE..
DJOKOVIC: “WHEN I NEEDED TO STEP IT UP, I DID” Novak Djokovic looked every inch the reigning champion here in Rome as he clinically dispatched No13 seed Tommy Robredo 6-1, 6-1 on Thursday.
“I felt quite good,” the No3 seed said straight after the match. “I had a day off yesterday (Wednesday) which helped me to recover from the late night second round and just get some more practice. I didn't get a lot of rhythm in that first match. Today I was in the control of the match. I played quite patient, but then when I needed to step it up I did. It was quite strange because Tommy was making a lot of unforced errors, so he didn't put a lot of pressure on me.”
“I have been playing really well in the last two or three months regardless who is in front and who is behind me,” said Djokovic when asked about the battle for second spot in the rankings between himself, Roger Federer and Andy Murray. “I just focus on my game, and I've been playing really well. Let's see if I can keep it up. There is a not a lot of room for relaxation, especially if you are competing with a players like Federer, Nadal who are reaching the final stages of each event they're playing. You have to be focused all the time and you have to perform your best and try to get in the final stages as well in order to stay in the top rankings wise, points wise. I've been playing at least semi-finals of each event I've participated in on this surface last year, so I think I'm playing better than I did last year. I'm moving much better on clay, so hopefully I can get the results out of that.”
He impersonated his tennis colleagues in Melbourne; he showed he could be a pop star when he sang the famous Gloria Gaynor hit “I Will Survive” at the French Open. It is a secret for everyone what Novak Djokovic, a Serbian tennis icon and the person responsible that Serbia got the chance to organise an ATP event, will do if he has a chance on May 10, to take his 13th career title on clay in Belgrade.
The guy who spreads the glory of Serbian tennis all over the world says he’s ready for the biggest challenges and the first big test in front of his home crowd. He says he’s always wished that the best world players come to his hometown Belgrade, and his wish has come true.
- I’ve mentioned on many occasions what Serbia has been going through in the last fifteen years. The tennis has risen from the ashes here by a combination of circumstances, but also thanks to the enormous efforts and sacrifice of the players’ families. I’ve always wished that we give Serbia an event like this, because bringing the world’s tennis top players is the best way to work on our tennis tradition.
How did the negotiations go with the representatives of the Amersfoort ATP tournament?
- People from Amersfoort were very cooperative right from the start. The crucial moment was in Shanghai, when we were approved the organization by the ATP director. I was surprised and extremely happy how quickly they accommodated us and supported us. That is a sort of confirmation for me as an athlete.
How did you make contacts with the players that are coming to Belgrade? Did you personally invite them?
- I invited some of the players that I am friends with. Some of them called in themselves when they heard of the tournament. This is only the first year, and I expect better tennis names with every new edition of the Serbia Open.
What does it mean to you to play at the strong ATP event in front of your home crowd?
- That is something I haven’t experienced before. I know how special it is when I play the Davis Cup ties in Belgrade. All I can say is that I am really excited, and I am sure the feeling will be incredible.
Who do you think the fans in Belgrade will support the most of all the home players?
- I really don’t know. It’s something variable. One day they cheer for one player, and the next day for someone else. The more players from Serbia participate, the better. It means the chances that a home player wins the event will grow.
If you win the title, do you already know where you will celebrate it?
- On the court in Dorcol.
Will we be able to see more top 10 players appearing at the Serbia Open next year?
- As I’ve already said before, the first year is the hardest for an event, just like any fresh start in life. That’s why it’s important that everything goes smoothly now, then tennis coaches all over the world will place the Serbia Open in the calendars of their players at the start of the season. I hope that some of our players will enter the top 10.
Do you know Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal off court? With whom of the foreign players you have the best relationship?
- My true friends are the people I’ve known since school, but it’s important that players respect each other. I must say I have the best relationship with Serbian players.
If you could choose, which Grand Slam event would you prefer to win next?
- Wimbledon. The tournament has an enduring tennis tradition and I remember watching Pete Sampras’ matches on TV as a child. Those were really memorable moments.
Your game this season is more diverse, and the focus is on the serve-volley approach. Is that a secret preparation to attack the Wimbledon trophy this season?
- That is the element of my game I need to work on. I am glad that people have noticed that and that the effort is paying dividends.
You are famous in the world of tennis as one of the rare players who is capable of leaving behind all the poor moments of a game. How do you find an exit from a difficult situation and how do you manage to turn a match in your favour?
- I try to be in the control of the match. It is extremely important not to allow yourself to play your opponent’s game. People often think I play too defensively, but I have the control over the match even when I’m hitting some defensive shots. You need self-confidence for that, which sometimes varies though.
How do you react to some comments that you have “outgrown” your coach Marian Vajda and that it is time to hire a better known name. What is the secret of your successful cooperation?
- It’s one thing to be aware of what changing your coach would do, and another to actually implement it. It’s like changing your racquet. Marian suits me because he can balance when we focus only on tennis and when we leave tennis aside and have a laugh. Top tennis implies huge pressure and you need to have at least some time when you can relax.
Do you have time to watch the practice sessions and matches of your brothers Marko and Djordje, and do you advise them sometimes?
- Yes, of course. I try to point to some errors they make – the same ones I used to make. I wish to set an example for them – both tennis-wise and outside the tennis. That’s an additional inspiration for me - said the best Serbian tennis player at the end.
Posted: 01.05.09 19:31. Post subject: DJOKOVIC - BETTER TH..
DJOKOVIC - BETTER THAN LAST YEAR Defending Rome champion Novak Djokovic ran out a comfortable 6-3, 6-4 winner over Juan Martin Del Potro and warned his semi-final opponent, Roger Federer, that he is both stronger and more patient than when he won here last year.
“I feel quite confident playing here,” said the world No3 after coming off court. “Each match I play, I feel more comfortable moving the court and just playing my style of the game. Today I tried to change the pace a lot because I know that Del Potro likes more or less same pace, and he moves really well for his height. I knew that I had to move him left and right, try to be patient and go for the longer rallies and a little more spin on the balls.”
“Physically I think I'm stronger, and I'm combining this patience with aggressivity in certain moments,” said Djokovic of his play compared with last year, when he defeated Nicolas Almagro, Radek Stepanek and Stanislas Wawrinka en route to victory. “It's really important on clay to be confident in yourself, that you can play a lot of long rallies and be patient, but yet again, have big weapons to finish off the points, so that's what I did. The serve is going up and down a little bit, I think I need to work a little bit more on that, but the momentum is going to be okay.”
Djokovic now faces the man he is trying to overtake for the world No2 spot, Roger Federer, in a hotly anticipated semi-final on Saturday afternoon. “I look forward to it, it's going to be great for the people and great for the tournament to see that kind of semi-final,” said the Serb. “It's a challenge for both of us. I think we played two times on clay only, and he won both in Monte Carlo. I think I have a good chance – I have been playing really well lately, so let's see. It's quite fast here, I think both of us like it. He likes a little faster clay as well, so it's going to be interesting.”
“Roger has been playing really well on this surface,” Djokovic continued. “He's been playing two, three French Open finals and winning Hamburg and getting to the final stages of each clay court event in last four, five years. He's certainly, behind Nadal, the best player that plays on this surface. I think I've been improving, so as I said, I have good chances. I get great support here and I'm really thankful for the crowd. It's a bit difficult to defend a title but I think I've been doing quite a good job until now.”
Posted: 01.05.09 20:27. Post subject: N. DJOKOVIC/T. Robre..
N. DJOKOVIC/T. Robredo 6-1, 6-1
THE MODERATOR: Questions, please.
Q. It was pretty comprehensive. How did you feel out there today? NOVAK DJOKOVIC: I felt quite good. I had a day off yesterday, which helped me to recover from the late-night second round and just get some more practice. I didn't get a lot of rhythm in that first match. You know, it all went in my advantage, and I used it today. I was in the control of the match. I think I played quite patient, but then when I needed to step it up I did. I was quite strange because Tommy was making a lot of unforced errors, so he didn't put a lot of pressure on me.
Q. Was it easier than you expected then? NOVAK DJOKOVIC: Well, yeah, I can say that.
Q. Is there any coincidence in the fact that since we started talking to you about the No. 3 race you seem to have clicked into gear and found your game? NOVAK DJOKOVIC: Look, I have been playing really well in the last two or three months regardless who is in front and who is behind me. I just focus on my game, and I've been playing really well. Let's see if I can keep it up.
Q. It's a very long season, the clay court season. Is there a time in it when you think, I've done enough and got my game where I want it to be and I can afford to have a little bit of a relaxation period, or do you have to have a good level all the time? NOVAK DJOKOVIC: No, there is a not a lot of room for relaxation, especially if you are competing with a players like Federer, Nadal, you know, who are reaching the final stages of each event they're playing. You have to be focused all the time and you have to perform your best and try to get in the final stages as well in order to stay in the top rankings-wise, points-wise, whatever. I've been playing at least semifinals of each event I've participated in on this surface last year, so, you know, I think I'm playing better than I did last year. I'm moving much better on clay, so hopefully I can get the results out of that.
Q. And how hard is that, to keep up and maintain a very high, consistent level all the time? NOVAK DJOKOVIC: In life, a lot of things are hard, you know. I think it's certainly not easy, but this is something that you must do in order to, you know, stay at the top of the men's tennis, and that is what I want.
Posted: 02.05.09 20:40. Post subject: DJOKOVIC: 'NO RE..
DJOKOVIC: 'NO REASON NOT TO BELIEVE I CAN WIN' After his 4-6, 6-3, 6-3 win over Roger Federer in Saturday’s semi-final, defending champion Novak Djokovic was brimming with confidence ahead of Sunday’s showdown with Rafael Nadal. He was also grateful to the rain delay which enabled him to regroup and come back after being a set and a break in arrears.
“It was really important,” the Serb said of the 70-minute break. “If you look at it, obviously everybody will say that the rain helped me, and it's a fact. I played much better after the break, I started being more patient, moving much better, giving him more balls back and making him play more. This is what I didn't do in the end of the first and start of the second set. He could have broken me again to have a double break, and then it would be much tougher for me to come back. In the first set I played quite well. I was a little bit distracted by some things, and then suddenly a lot unforced errors resulted with a loss. I didn't like the guy who was whistling (which preceded a break of serve). There were some things that were happening, but it shouldn't happen in my head - I should just not care about it. But it was really not nice gesture - it was second serve on breakpoint, so it wasn't really nice.”
“It isn't easy to remain in the same level of performance,” said Djokovic of his “game of two halves”-type display. “If you get more balls back and if the opponent makes you play more balls and makes you run more, then it's normal that you're under pressure. That's why he probably made a lot more unforced errors than before the rain break. I was patient more and playing more compatible and wiser after the break, more on his backhand side and trying to wait for chances. I think that was the key.”
Looking ahead to Sunday’s final against No1 seed Nadal, Djokovic was in realistic but confident mood. “There's not much to say about Rafa, especially on clay. He's going to be absolute favorite to win it again, but I have my chances, especially after the great performance in Monte Carlo. I have no reason not to believe that I can win. I won a set against him in Monte Carlo, I played really good to start the third set, and learned that I have to really play every point against him, so that's what I'm going to try to do tomorrow. Physically to prepare, to be ready to play long rallies, because that's what’s happening when you play against him, and just wait for the chances. I think my forehand has been working quite well throughout the event and my serve is better and should be better for tomorrow's match, especially if you play Rafa who gets a lot of balls back on this surface. I have to put pressure with the serve at least, so I'm going to try to work on that. I've been playing really well, so I'm going to celebrate my victory tonight, because I think it's a great win for me, and then try to get the best out of tomorrow's match.”
Posted: 03.05.09 12:35. Post subject: N. DJOKOVIC/J. Del P..
N. DJOKOVIC/J. Del Potro 6-3, 6-4
THE MODERATOR: Questions, please. Q. You hit 20 winners today in two sets. Do you feel you're timing and seeing the ball particularly well at this moment? NOVAK DJOKOVIC: Yes, I feel quite confident playing here. Each match I play, I feel more comfortable moving the court and just playing my style of the game. Today I've tried to, you know, change the pace a lot, because I know that Del Potro likes more or less same pace, and he's moving really well for his height. But still, I knew that I have to, you know, move him, left/right, try to be patient, and go for the little longer rallies and a little more spin into the balls. That's what I did. I think I've played well. It's a good win for me. I'm ready for next challenge.
Q. Yesterday you said you are playing better this year than last year. What are you doing better this year? NOVAK DJOKOVIC: Well, physically I think I'm stronger, and I'm combining this patience with the aggressivity in the certain moments. It's really important on clay to be confident in yourself, that you can play a lot of long rallies and be patient, but yet again, have big weapons to finish of the points. So that's what I did. The serve is going up and down a little bit. I think I need to work a little bit more on that. It's just -- I think momentum it's going to be okay.
Q. Could you comment on your changes to your fitness routine over the last week. I know you switched fitness coaches as well. Is that a result of the match in Australia earlier in the year? NOVAK DJOKOVIC: What about the result of the Australian?
Q. I don't know if conditioning was a factor in Melbourne. I know you were trying to make adjustments before Roland Garros. NOVAK DJOKOVIC: I've been working with my ex-fitness coach for two and a half years. I changed because I felt that I need a change and something new to improve on. The walkover in Australia was something else. It was extreme conditions. It was some scheduling problem, as well. So it has nothing to do with my decision to change the coach, particularly that match. I've been thinking about that for the last five, six months. Hopefully the new change is going to be better.
Q. Did you watch any of the first set of Federer? NOVAK DJOKOVIC: No.
Q. What do you expect? He seems to be winning at the moment. What do you expect for a new match with him? NOVAK DJOKOVIC: I look forward to it. I expect him to win, so it's going to be great for the people and great for the tournament to see that kind of semifinal. It's a challenge for both of us. I think we played two times on clay only, and he won both of the times in Monte-Carlo. Well, I think I have good chances, you know. I have been playing really well lately, so let's see what happens.
Q. How you play on clay changes tactically the match? NOVAK DJOKOVIC: Yeah, sure. Sure. It's a slower surface. But still, here it's quite fast. I think both of us, we like it. He likes a little faster clay as well, so it's going to be interesting.
Q. Is it easier in a way to play Federer than Nadal on clay? I don't say easier, but you can understand what I mean. NOVAK DJOKOVIC: Yeah, well, look, nothing is easy I can say, but certainly the toughest opponent on this surface is Nadal. There's no question about it. But still, Roger has been playing really well on this surface. He's been playing two, three, French Open finals and winning Hamburg and getting to the final stages of each clay court event in last four, five years. He's certainly, behind Nadal, the best player that plays on this surface. I think I've been improving, so as I said, I have good chances.
Q. Does it make any difference to be the champion of the tournament when you go back the next year? Does it feel any different, or you completely more or less forget? NOVAK DJOKOVIC: Well, first of all, it's great to come back in the place where you defend your title. I mean, I feel nice. You feel a lot of attention. I get great support here. I'm really thankful for the crowd. In other words, of course you have some certain pressure and responsibility. It's a bit difficult to defend a title and all these points. I think I've been doing quite a good job until now.
Posted: 03.05.09 16:25. Post subject: N. DJOKOVIC/R. Feder..
N. DJOKOVIC/R. Federer 4-6, 6-3, 6-3
Q. How important do you think it was, that game that you played just before the rain delay, to get the momentum going for you again and then you could build on that after you came back? NOVAK DJOKOVIC: Yeah, it was really important. I mean, if you look at it, obviously everybody will say that the rain, you know, helped me. It's a fact. You know, it's a fact that I played much better after the break, and that I started being more patient, moving much better, you know, giving him more balls back and making him play more. This is what I didn't do in the end of the first and start of the second set. He could have broken me again to have a double break, and then, you know, it would be much tougher for me to come back. Here again, I think I've played in the first set even -- in the first set I played quite well. I was a little bit distracted by some things, and then suddenly a lot unforced errors resulted with a loss.
Q. What things were you distracted by in the first set? NOVAK DJOKOVIC: Well, look, I didn't like the guy who was whistling. There were some things that were happening. But, look, it shouldn't happen in my head, you know. I should just not care about it. But it was really not nice gesture. It was second serve on breakpoint, so it wasn't really nice.
Q. Roger said that the biggest difference he feels in comparing to the past is that his serve is not working quite as well as it used to. Could you confirm that? NOVAK DJOKOVIC: Well, I think he was serving quite well throughout the first part of the match. After the rain, he had ups and downs. Well, the serve might be an issue, but I think I returned much better after the break. I gave him more balls back, and he felt obviously pressure and started serving worse.
Q. What will you draw on, do you think, from your performance against Nadal - we believe it will be Nadal - in the final from Monte-Carlo? For a long time you were his equal out there. NOVAK DJOKOVIC: Look, Rafa, there's not much to talk about him, especially on clay. He's going to be absolute favorite to win it again, but I have my chances, especially after the great performance in Monte-Carlo. I have no reason not to believe that I can win. I won a set against him in Monte-Carlo. I played really good start of the third set, and learned that I have to really play every point against him. So that's what I'm going to try to do tomorrow. Physically to prepare, to be ready to play long rallies, because that's what happening when you play against him, and just wait for the chances.
Q. You feel much more stronger physically since Miami? NOVAK DJOKOVIC: Well, I feel quite good, yeah.
Q. You work much more, or... NOVAK DJOKOVIC: Well, I do work, you know. I don't think it was all issue about my physical preparation, condition. It was mentally, as well, if in some period I didn't believe in my quality. I had some ups and downs with the results, but now I'm confident enough. I know that I deserve to be here, so I think it's all coming together.
Q. You also be defending the No. 3 position tomorrow. Does that give you extra pressure or motivation? NOVAK DJOKOVIC: No. I mean, I don't care about it, really. I mean, I've been playing really well, so I'm going to celebrate my victory tonight, because I think it's a great win for me, and then try to get the best out of tomorrow's match.
Q. What do you like tomorrow in your way to play in this tournament? NOVAK DJOKOVIC: Sorry?
Q. What do you like more in your way to play during this tournament? NOVAK DJOKOVIC: I didn't...
Q. What's the best thing in your play during Rome? NOVAK DJOKOVIC: Oh, in my game? Well, I think my forehand was working quite well throughout the event. Serve I think would be better, and should be better, for tomorrow's match, especially, you know, if you play Rafa who gets a lot of balls back on this surface. I have to put pressure with the serve at least, you know, so I'm going to try to work on that.
Q. Again, today's match, do you think that everything depends from your game that improve after the stop, or you feel that Roger a little bit down in his game? NOVAK DJOKOVIC: Well, look it isn't easy to remain in the same level of performance - speaking about his game. If you get more balls back and if you -- if the opponent makes you play more balls, and, you know, makes you run more, then it's, you know, normal that you're under pressure. That's why he probably made a lot more unforced errors than before the rain break. So I think I was patient more and playing more compatible and wiser after the break, you know, more on his backhand side and trying to wait for chances. I think that was the key.
“Obviously it's his patience in certain points,” said the Serb after the match. “When I needed to stay a little bit more patient and just play the right shots, I made some unforced errors – in the tie-break on the second and third point. It’s happened a couple of times already on this surface that I'm close, and in the deciding moments he just overcomes the pressure better than me. That's why he's the best in the world at the moment.”
“Maybe in Monte Carlo (when Nadal again defeated Djokovic on clay in the final), it was closer. Still, the ball was bouncing really high here today, really high, probably because I was playing against the player who produces a lot of spin from both sides. It made my shots difficult, especially from the backhand side. He plays forehand with a lot of spin and tries to put the point out of position so he can open up the court for the next shot,” said Djokovic of the world No1. “He does it really successfully, but I didn't move in that shot as well as I needed to, and then a couple of unforced errors in the first and second set resulted in a loss. As the match started I thought, I'm going to really work hard to get my service games, because he made me work already the first game. He didn't make a lot of service errors. He had a quite high percentage of the first serves in, and that wasn't case in Monte Carlo, so I could have put more pressure on him. He was serving quite well and moving always great, like always. You always have to play something extra against Nadal to win, especially on this surface where he feels most comfortable.”
“I've been playing really well in the last three Masters Series events and I'm really happy with the shape I'm in at this moment,” concluded the defeated former champion who remained in an upbeat mood. “I will try to stay physically fit because that's what I'm going to need in the upcoming two months until Wimbledon is over. Confidence is really important in this sport, in any sport, and right now I have confidence.”
ROME—After losing to Rafael Nadal in the Monte Carlo final two weeks ago, world No. 3 Novak Djokovic decided he needed a change. In the hopes of winning a second career major title at Roland Garros or Wimbledon, the 2008 Australian Open champion knows that improved endurance is necessary if he wants to surpass the likes of Nadal and Roger Federer. So after two and a half years with his former fitness coach, Djokovic has hired Gebhard Phil-Gritsch, famous for coaching Austrian clay-court specialist Thomas Muster to the No. 1 ranking during the 1990s. “I felt that I needed a change,” Djokovic, 21, said Friday. “I needed something new to improve on.” As to the specifics of his new regimen, neither the Serb nor his manager, Benito Perez-Barbadillo, would delve into any details. But at the very least, it seems the shuffling has boosted the confidence of an already confident Djokovic. Conditioning has been cited as a weakness in Djokovic’s game over the last few seasons. There has been a sense that the immensely talented Serb is more vulnerable than his opponents to the extreme heat frequently experienced Down Under in January or on the U.S. summer circuit. While Djokovic insisted that the change in trainers has nothing to do with the debacle against Andy Roddick at this year’s Australian Open—a 6-7 (3), 6-4, 6-2, 2-1 RET meltdown—Djokovic says he not satisfied with his conditioning overall.
“The walkover in Australia was something else,” Djokovic said. “It was extreme conditions and a scheduling problem as well. It had nothing to do with my decision to change my [fitness] coach, particularly that match [against Roddick]. I have been thinking about changing for the last five to six months, and hopefully the new change is going to be better.”
Although Djokovic and Phil-Gritsch have only been working together for a short time, some improvements have already been on display this week at this week’s Rome Masters. In Friday’s straight sets win over top-ranked Argentine Juan Martin del Potro, Djokovic had little trouble sustaining himself in the typical long rallies of the clay-court season. In fact, it was Djokovic’s ability to move del Potro around the court and to vary the pace of his own shots that allowed the Serb to post a relatively easy 6-3, 6-4 win.
And in today’s semifinal victory over Federer, Djokovic again looked agile and resilient against the nimble Swiss. Federer had been focusing on his own conditioning this week, holed up with fitness coach Pierre Paganini in a secret location on the hills of Rome. But defending champion Djokovic came back from a set down against the 13-time major champ, and said he believes his play is better than a year ago: “Physically I think I'm stronger, and I'm combining this patience with aggressivity in certain moments.”
Of course, everyone on the ATP Tour is chasing Nadal, the reigning champion at both of the European Slams. Nadal’s astounding clay-court record is forcing his pursuers to improve physically in order to have a chance to compete. Last year, top Brit Andy Murray saw huge growth in his game due to increased strength and fitness. The same was true for Fernando Verdasco, who began training with Gil Reyes, Andre Agassi’s long-time fitness coach, at the end of 2008. Verdasco’s fitness was on display at the Australian in his epic semifinal clash with Nadal; the No. 1 survived the longest match in the Slam’s history and then went on to win the title—his sixth major—in another five-setter against Federer. This season has also seen the reemergence of a slimmed down Andy Roddick who relished the Australian heat earlier in the year.
Djokovic, currently 1-1 in Grand Slam singles finals, will go for his second consecutive victory in Rome on Sunday.
Posted: 04.05.09 15:21. Post subject: ПК после финала Q. ..
ПК после финала
Q. You were very close during that match many times. What made the difference at the end? NOVAK DJOKOVIC: Well, obviously it's his patience in the certain points. When I needed to, maybe stay a little bit more patient and just play the right shots. I made some unforced errors, tiebreak, second, third point. You know, it happens couple times already on this surface that I'm close, and in the deciding moments he just overcome the pressure better than me. But, you know, that's why he's the best in the world in this moment. Overall, I'm really happy with the week.
Q. You say you're very happy when you succeeded to hit backhand down the line. Do you feel your backhand down the line could have been a little bit better, more efficient? NOVAK DJOKOVIC: Yeah, I think so. That was one of the shots that didn't really go today as well as I wanted it. He plays forehand with a lot of spin and tries to put the point out of position so he can open up the court for the next shot. He does it really successfully. But I think I didn't move in that shot as well as I needed to, and then couple of unforced errors in the first and second set resulted with a loss.
Q. Obviously two finals on the clay. You feel you're obviously going okay building up to Roland Garros? NOVAK DJOKOVIC: Yeah, that's the main goal, the aim that is most important in the clay court season. I've been playing really well in the last three Masters Series events, and I'm really happy with the shape I'm in in this moment. So I will try to stay physically fit, because that's what I'm gonna need very much in upcoming month and a half or two months until the Wimbledon is over. So as I said, confidence is really important in this sport, in any sport. Right now I think I have good confidence. Hopefully I can continue with the successful tournament.
Q. You were asked yesterday about the No. 3 ranking and whether or not you cared that if you lost today you would probably lose it. Do you care now that it's fixed? NOVAK DJOKOVIC: Well, look, it happened two weeks before or after, you know. It's very close. I'm defending a lot of points, so it's no it's not strange that it happened. He was playing really well lately. But it's still close. I can already get it back next week. It's really up and down.
Q. Even though you don't even win a set today, do you feel closer today than in Monte Carlo, or you were closer in Monte Carlo? NOVAK DJOKOVIC: Maybe in Monte Carlo it was closer. Still, the ball was bouncing really high here today. Really high. I don't know, it was probably because, again, I was playing against the player who produces a lot of spin from both of the sides. Maybe that was the case. But still, I felt that the balls were really, really high. Made my shots difficult, especially from the backhand side.
Q. The wind also? NOVAK DJOKOVIC: Yeah, it was quite windy. I did have chances. I could have maybe won the first set and maybe things would look different, but, you know, we keep on going.
Q. Is there a sense that he almost makes you try too hard and perhaps try shots that you wouldn't necessarily try against somebody else? NOVAK DJOKOVIC: Well, in the certain moments, yes. I mean, as the match started I thought, I'm gonna really work hard to get my service games, you know, because he made me work already the first game. He didn't make a lot of service errors. You know, he had a quite high percentage of the first serves in. That wasn't case in Monte Carlo, so I could have more pressure on him. So he was serving quite well and moving always great, like always. Yeah, you always have to play something extra against Nadal to win, especially on this surface where he feels most comfortable.
Q. There is a new ATP tournament in Belgrade starting tomorrow. How important is that for you? NOVAK DJOKOVIC: It's very important obviously. As a host of the tournament as well, I feel really happy to for my family, for myself, and for all the players from Serbia and all the country to have the tournament first time in the history of our country. Everybody is excited. I look forward to it. I bye first round, so I have a little more time to recover and get ready. I will try to do my best there.
Q. Nadal never asked for a wildcard, but he could still play? NOVAK DJOKOVIC: We refused him because we had some priorities.
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