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.
Post №: 758
Joined: 24.03.09
Location: Россия, Ногинск
Rank:
4
Posted: 04.05.09 16:49. Post subject: Новак Джокович: «Над..
Новак Джокович: «Надаль – по праву лучший в мире»
Серб Новак Джокович, проигравший в финальном поединке турнира в Риме испанцу Рафаэлю Надалю со счетом 6:7, 2:6, рассказал, что в решающие моменты игры ему не хватало терпения.
«Надаль проявил терпение в ключевые моменты матча. Когда мне нужно было проявить терпение и просто не ошибаться при ударе, я делал невынужденные ошибки. И так было несколько раз, что я был близок к выигрышу, но Надаль превосходил меня в решающие моменты игры. И он по праву лучший в мире», – цитирует Джоковича официальный сайт турнира.
Posted: 05.05.09 11:22. Post subject: Novak was a guest in..
Novak was a guest in RTS’s show ‘The Witness’! As a guest in the show ‘The Witness’ on RTS, the best Serbian tennis player Novak Djokovic says that the most important thing to him is to always be surrounded by people and professionals who will improve his game. Shades decide in the matches against Federer, Nadal and Murray, and noone is unbeatable, says Novak. Nadal is justifiably the best player in the world, and his greatest advantages are patience and stability.
Responding to the qustions of the host of ‘Witness’ and a head editor of the news programme of RTS, Nenad Lj. Stefanovic, if he thinks that the world’s best tennis player is invincible, Djokovic says that Nadal is the strongest player and has the greatest stamina and stability.
‘Mental ability to cope with the pressure and responsibility in a given moment is what separates the world's top tennis players from the others. The first 100 tennis players in the world do not differ much, those are mostly nuances and mental structure’- explains the best Serbian tennis player.
It is important to be mentally and physically ready
Novak says that in tennis there is no place for slack and it is necessary to go step by step to come to the top, especially in the game with the best tennis players who are physically and mentally ready.
After being criticised for his fitness, Novak says that now he has a new fitness coach, Gebhardt.
’My body can not develop into the body of Rafael Nadal and I need more time to reach the certain level of fitness. But I think I can progress,’ says Djokovic.
I’m emotional, although sometimes it is not desirable in tennis
Novak says he’s very temperamental and emotional, on court and off court, and that he knows it is sometimes not desirable, because in the matches with the calm players you need to stay calm and not show your weaknesses.
Speaking of friendship among the tennis players Novak says that he has correct relationship with Federer, and that he’s closer with Nadal and has only words of praise for him, both as a tennis player and as a person.
Djokovic says that it is very important to have a good relationship with the tennis fans and to present youself in public with your charisma and smile.
Speaking of his impersonations, some players didn’t think that was nice, and Djokovic says that he will not do it anymore because he doesn’t want to have a bad relationship with some of his colleagues. ‘My intention was not to ridicule and irritate players,’ explains Novak.
My health is my priority
Commenting on the allegations of some colleagues that he’s acting he’s injured on court, Novak emphasizes that he has never done it, and he never will.
‘My health is my priority. If you offer me tomorrow to be number one in the world and that for it I have to risk my health, I will decline it very smoothly.’
Novak explains that the grand sport has changed lately, because the tennis players can no longer allow themselves to skip tournaments to recover. They can lose a large number of points.
Doping controls in tennis are rigorous, and tennis players are obliged to call antidoping controllers every day during the year, or they’ll be punished, says Djokovic.
Novak explains the success of tennis players from Serbia (the English press said that they have ‘hunger for success’). They had to do everything by themselves, without help , as opposed to Andy Murray for example and other British tennis players who had great help and support from their country. He said that he’s proud he has great support from the serbian audience.
I am proud that Serbia has an ATP tournament
I was positively surprised how many people follow and adhere to our success, and it’s our pleasure to share itt with them.
Novak says his brothers, Marko and Djordje, are improving in their tennis careers and he supports them, but he can not dedicate enough time to them..
Djokovic says that he’s proud that Serbia will host the first ATP tournament, and that the credit goes to his whole family.
Responding to the question whether he is aware that he’s a role model to large number of children, Novak says that he’s happy for that but he does not want to let that change him, and that he always stands firmly on the ground.
’Being an idol and a role models can only make me proud and encourage me to try even more to make a progress and, above all, bring happiness to children and young tennis players of Serbia.’
Posted: 05.05.09 11:42. Post subject: The Net Post: Novak ..
The Net Post: Novak Djokovic is glowing with pride at hosting his own tournament The Times Tennis Correspondent pays tribute to the soon-to-be World No4's efforts in bringing us the Serbia Open and brings us the latest on Lleyton Hewitt and Australia's Davis Cup row with India. The Djokovic family paid for the plot of land upon which the site has been constructed, it has persuaded the Serbian Government to offer high level support, it bought the event from Amersfoort in Holland, it has built a tournament from scratch and, when the first balls are struck today, it will be full recognition of what Djokovic himself has done to transform a once desolate tennis outback.
Tennis is the most popular sport in Serbia and Djokovic is its most popular personality. There may have been a very different turn of events had the LTA had its way three years ago when Serbia and Montenegro were splitting; Djokovic was considered a stateless person and British tennis wooed him and his family with the promises of riches and, quite possibly, membership of the All England Club and a retirement home in Eastbourne overlooking Devonshire Park.
The view Djokovic will enjoy these next few days will be far different, and one he will do well to drink in. There are five Serbians in the main draw - Djokovic may well play Janko Tipsarevic, his compatriot in the second round - as well as Ivan Ljubicic and Ivo Karlovic from Croatia, which is a fabulous gesture of Balkan solidarity from them. The Net Post understands that two former grand slam champions and world No.1s, Juan Carlos Ferrero and Lleyton Hewitt made formal approaches for wild cards but two had already been given to Serbians, Filip Krajinovic and Arsenije Zlatanovic and a third to Marcos Baghdatis of Cyprus. They could not really quibble.
Adam Helfant, the chief executive of the ATP World Tour, will be in Belgrade to present the 2008 ATP Doubles Team Award to Nenad Zimonjic of Serbia and Daniel Nestor, who was born in Belgrade but plays for Canada. All of these are moments of real symbolism. For Djokovic - whose uncle Goran is the tournament director - this is some compensation for dropping down a notch in the world rankings and losing the last two Masters finals on clay to Nadal. "This is very important, especially for my family, for myself and from all the players from Serbia, to have a tournament for the first time in the history of our country. Everybody is really excited. And I get a bye in the first round,so I have some time to get ready." The chances are that he will be able to play when he wants. Family first, after all.
Hewitt makes his case over Davis Cup withdrawal
The arguments will not relent. The cancellation of the India/Australia Davis Cup tie over Australia's refusal to travel because of fears over the safety continues to divide opinion - strictly on national lines. Lleyton Hewitt has used his own website to spell out, in extraordinary and eloquent length, his views. The former world No.1 and Wimbledon champion is dismayed at India's veiled suggestion that it was his reluctance to travel to the sub continent that was at the heart of Tennis Australia's decision to pull out, a choice which could yet lead to a extended ban from the competition in which their participation is legendary.
"In my opinion there is no higher honour for a male Australian tennis player than to represent his country playing Davis Cup, to be awarded a gold jacket and join the list of many Australian and world champions who have played for our great country," he says. "I have always made myself available to play Davis Cup and have only missed if severe injury has forced my hand.
"I have travelled to many parts of the world to play Davis Cup and have had to deal with some interesting and confronting places and crowds. I thrive on the team aspect of the competition, which in an individual sport like tennis is very rare. The weeks of Davis Cup are the first weeks I mark down in my yearly schedule, along with the Grand Slams, and then I plan other tournaments accordingly.
"I have always supported the ITF in their promotion of Davis Cup around the world and been one of its strongest advocates. However I feel very let down by them with a few decisions lately relating to Davis Cup. The first has been their awarding of ATP ranking points to the competition to try to attract certain players to take part in the competition. The problem is they have only awarded them to the World Group section. In my opinion a player shouldn’t require the incentive of ranking points to represent their country in a competition that has been running for more than 100 years.
"But if you are going to award them, then it should be right across the competition! There are only 16 nations in the world group, yet our sport is truly global therefore leaving a number of top ranked players playing for their country in zonal ties for no points. Not to mention the fact that under this system a player has to play a live rubber to receive the points and countries such as Spain and France have a wealth of players to choose from, so even players selected for their country may still miss out on points. This is the first instance where the ITF has totally disregarded consistency for the players.
"Secondly is the fact that the zonal ties are scheduled to be held right in the middle of the clay court season, yet the world group is played the week following Wimbledon - again creating an uneven playing field for players and completely lacks consistency. By creating this new date, the ITF is forcing players in the zonal sections to choose between their own ranking and representing their country, again for no points. Meanwhile players in world group countries continue to earn points and gain valuable practice during the clay-court season leading into the French Open. I had made the commitment to forego my French Open preparations to play in India even though I am trying to re-establish myself in the world rankings after injury. "The latest ITF decision to refuse to shift the May 8 tie to a neutral venue or a date outside the election is possibly the most disappointing of all. The request from Tennis Australia was made very early and yet the ITF took an extraordinary amount of time to investigate, report and make a decision. I would like to point out here that Tennis Australia handled the whole situation very credibly, where they researched the situation in India with help from the Australian Government and independent opinions from at least four different security experts as well as other sports with expertise in this region. The evidence became very clear."
All these are meritorious points. The Net Post caught up in Rome with Mahesh Bhupathi, who has played Davis Cup tennis for India for 31 ties in 14 years and found the reasons for not making it 32, a little hard to swallow. He recalls that India was supposed to have played the United States in 2001, when the 9/11 attacks occurred and the tie was postponed, to be played at a later date.
If Australia was nervous about playing in India during the elections, why could not a similar deciasion have been taken, he wondered? While appreciating that Chennia would be in the midst of election fever - they is held in that area five days after the rest of the country and just after the Cup tie was planned - he does not believe there would have been a trace of trouble. "Is it not the ITF that runs the Davis Cup and their report was thorough and comprehensive and they said it would have been safe for Australia to play," he said. "What right did Australia to unilaterally pull out? I hope the ITF takes them to task, otherwise their authority is challenged. There was an ATP tour event in Chennai at the start of the year, and no one complained then." It was a tremendous occasion in the Champions' League last Wednesday, Manchester United against Arsenal would have been expected to clean up the domestic viewing figures but it was not so. Juan Martin Del Potro of Argentina against Viktor Troicki of Serbia did not draw much of a crowd to the Foro Italico but Sky Sports had an audience of 15,000 for a relatively unmemorable first round match. It is another example of tennis's astonishing popularity, a fact that is often lost on those in charge of certain sports pages.
LTA explains its Wimbledon qualifying system
While the LTA are keeping the names of those who have entered this year's Aegon Championships at Eastbourne under wraps - two e-mails asking for the latest news last week did not illicit a response, which was both unhelpful and discourteous - they have at least explained how they have organised the wild-card play-offs for the Wimbledon championships. A statement from Paul Hutchins, the former head of men's tennis, said: "we are, in co-operation with the All England Club, running a 16-player pre-qualifying for two wild card places into Wimbledon qualifying, which seems to work well with also the top eight players getting either a direct wild card into the main draw or into qualifying if under 250 on the rankings.
"[There are] often different opinions on play offs and equally strong opinions if we give too many players with low rankings wild cards without having to work that hard for the spot. We are also totally dependent on the All England Club committee views as well as they hold the final decision on all wild cards. The cut for the main draw is around 100 and we/All England Club are offering places in main draw if under 250 and in Wimbledon qualifying to players of 500 and below, and for pre qualifying 1000 and below and some with no world ranking. We always review the system and take opinions into consideration but this is the 2009 system which will operate."
When they come to make their judgements, the committee will also no doubt be torn on how many wild cards British players should receive - they attract a lot of people around the courts when they are playing but generally the flame is extinguished after 48 hours - and whether the Championships ought to package the very best in tennis and not pander to domestic players who struggle to win a set.
What the Net Post would like to have seen incorporated from previous LTA regimes was that players would only be considered if their ranking had improved by a clearly defined number of spots, something they we were made well aware of at the start of a year. Why has that criterion been dropped?
And what will the decision be this year on Alex Bogdanovic, who is remains inside the world's top 250 and thus justifies 'consideration' for a wild card and yet was not even considered for a play-off for a place in the Great Britain Davis Cup side for the March tie against Ukraine? And what about Chris Eaton, who is outside the 250 cut off point, who successfully qualified and won a round at Wimbledon last year, was not originally selected for the DC play offs, was called up at the last minute, won two matches, played in the team and won the only match in a 4-1 defeat? Work those ones out.
Ward of court - James makes waves in Colombia
A tip of the hat to James Ward, the British No 4, for his performance in reaching the quarter finals of the clay court challenger in Peirera, Colombia - where he was the only European in the field - before losing 7-5, 6-4 to Mariano Puerta of Argentina. Remember Puerta? He was the big, beefy left hander who reached the final of the French Open in 2005, beating Guillermo Canas and Nikolay Davydenko in five set quarter and semi finals, before losing to Rafael Nadal in the final. That was the high point of his career. The low points were a nine-month ban in 2003 when clenbuterol, a banned substance, was found in his system and a second, for eight years (reduced on appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) to two) when traces of etilefrine were found. Ward is closing in on a place inside the world's top 250 and is thus is on the Wimbledon wild card borderline.
It's a lose-lose against Rafa, even when you win the toss
We have seen it hundreds of times, the two players are at the net, the umpire flicks the coin into the air, someone makes the choice and whoever wins the toss, decides either to serve or receive. Andreas Seppi of Italy, Rafael Nadal's first opponent at the Masters in Rome had an original take. He called right, was asked what he wanted to and shrugged his shoulders. Who knows if it is better to serve or receive against Nadal on clay - or whether a better option might have been to stay at home?
Posted: 05.05.09 12:33. Post subject: Джокович поблагодари..
Джокович поблагодарил болельщиков за терпение Большая часть матчей турнира в Белграде, запланированных на 4 мая, не состоялась из-за дождя. Однако третья ракетка мира Новак Джокович, семья которого организует эти соревнования, приехал на корт около 21:00 по местному времени, чтобы поблагодарить болельщиков, оставшихся на своих местах в ожидании начала встреч.
"Спасибо за ваше терпение, вы остались на корте, несмотря на дождь. Я тренировался здесь 10 дней назад и приятно удивлён тем, как этот комплекс преобразился за прошедшее время. Я благодарен всем болельщикам, которые остались на своих местах, чтобы поддержать теннисистов. Надеюсь, погода позволит проводить встречи без задержек в предстоящие дни", — приводит слова Джоковича официальный сайт турнира.
Post №: 762
Joined: 24.03.09
Location: Россия, Ногинск
Rank:
5
Posted: 06.05.09 10:58. Post subject: Новак Джокович: «В р..
Новак Джокович: «В родном городе постараюсь показать все, на что способен»
Новак Джокович, который сегодня проведет первый матч на турнире в родном городе Белграде против соотечественника Янко Типсаревича, рассказал о важности проведения этого турнира.
«Разумеется, это очень важно. Как один из хозяев турнира я чувствую радость за себя, за свою семью и всех игроков из Сербии. Все очень взволнованы возможностью проведения первого в истории турнира в нашей стране. Я с нетерпением ожидаю своего матча. Я пропускаю матч первого раунда, поэтому у меня есть немного времени, чтобы восстановиться и подготовиться. Буду стараться показать все, на что я способен», – приводит слова 3-й ракетки мира Tennistalk.
Post №: 779
Joined: 24.03.09
Location: Россия, Ногинск
Rank:
5
Posted: 07.05.09 22:09. Post subject: Новак Джокович: «Бол..
Новак Джокович: «Болельщики поддерживали обоих – и Типсаревича, и меня»
Серб Новак Джокович, обыгравший во втором круге турнира в Белграде соотечественника Янко Типсаревича со счетом 6:2, 4:6, 6:0, отметил дружелюбную атмосферу на стадионе.
«Я был немного расстроен, увидев сетку, потому что всегда нелегко играть против близких друзей, но с другой стороны, это было отличное зрелище для болельщиков. Во время матча была замечательная атмосфера на стадионе, и я рад, что болельщики поддерживали обоих – и Типсаревича, и меня», – цитирует Джоковича TENNIS.com.
Post №: 615
Joined: 22.03.09
Location: Киев
Rank:
5
Posted: 10.05.09 17:38. Post subject: Marko, Darko, and Dj..
Marko, Darko, and Djoko Posted 05/07/2009 @ 5 :22 PM
by Pete Bodo
Tennis is a family game. Almost anyone old enough to walk and hold a racket can play, and so can the miracle octogenarian. Everyone knows about those notorious tennis dads and moms, but remember, too, that husband and wife, or parent and child, can play and even play with each other. Also, anyone compete in tournaments, including the sanctioned ones that generate official rankings. If you're a USTA member, or part of any other ITF affiliate, and you earn a ranking, you're name is right there in the book, alongside that of Serena Williams, or Mardy Fish.
Beyond that, knowledgeable fans know that the most familiar and easily navigated path to glory runs through the living room and basement rec room. Many of the best pro players emerge from families immersed in the tennis culture. Who can forget Ivan Lendl's childhood tales of being leashed like a dog to the net post by his tennis nut mother while she played matches? Or overlook the fact that Chris Evert's father was a Fort Lauderdale teaching pro - who, in fact, had dated Gloria Connors (Jimmy's mother) back in their collegiate days? Todd Martin's mother used to set up the playpen alongside the fence at the court where she played with her husband, and the Austin family produced three siblings who each played on the pro tour at one time or another: Pam, Jeff and Tracy.
Even when a promising player's family isn't crazy for tennis, it often gets that way when a youngster's talent becomes manifest. A precocious player requires a support system, and that usually means family involvement and even sacrifice. Tennis is not just something that people do; it's something people live. The game sometimes enters through the side door and gradually overwhelms a family. In what other sport do parents (Richard Williams?) and even siblings (Venus and Serena, Andy and Jamie?) play so large or visible a role?
I got to thinking about all this once again as the Serbian Open got underway the other day. That a single player (Novak Djokovic) backed up by his family could exert such a profound influence on the game is both telling and surprising. It's as if Kobe Bryant and his family decided they wanted their own NBA franchise, and got it. Or Brett Favre and his kin starting an NFL team. It seems a little screwy, to tell you the truth. There's something startlingly . . . unprofessional . . . about the idea. I mean, what does Novak's uncle Goran know about tennis? It had better be something, because the dude is the tournament director of the Serbia Open.
Well, I'm not one of those sanctimonious finger-waggers who expects everyone to be pure as the driven snow, or who enjoys pointing out that this or that person isn't, or may not be. The fact that the Djokovic family has taken the initiative, and assumed at least some risk (I believe that's the case, but don't quote me on it - apparently the government of Serbia is also involved in all this) is admirable. It shows that they're fairly courageous, not averse to working, and have an instinct for giving something back to the game, for growing tennis in a new and fertile corner of the world.
The Djokovices brought pro tennis to a nation that had virtually no tradition or history in the game, but in which (thanks to them) tennis has rocketed in popularity to become the most popular sport. Given the way tennis is structured and run, I'm amazed that the Serbia Open exists at all - this sport isn't exactly known for its carpe diem approach to creating new tournaments in promising markets (BTW, now that we're mired in this global recession, what was that about China being the vast, new, dying-to-be-exploited market?).
Still, Serbia having a tournament is one thing; Novak Djokovic owning it, promoting it, and competing in it is quite another. At some level this is simply surreal. And let's remember that Novak himself is all of 21 years old. Shoot, a few more years at this rate and the stadium at the site (officially, it's the Milan Gale Muskatirovic) is going to be named the Novak Djokovic Coliseum at the Serbia Open. Sitting in the locker room, Roger Federer will turn to Rafael Nadal and ask, "Who are you playing?"
Rafa will answer: "I'm playing Novak in The Novak. Second match after two."
Roger: "Yeah, it's tough playing him in The Novak. . . crowd noise is just too much."
I mean, does anyone else think this is a little weird?
I've been poking around the Serbia Open website, and Djokovic's own "official" site as well. It's kind of cute, and refreshing, to see exuberant, bang-'em-on-the-head headlines like: Unexpected! Zimonjic and Nestor Defeated! or Exciting Contest of Serbian Players (the headline for the Novak vs. Janko Tipsarevic match). In one of the photo galleries I found an image of the press interview room; it was set-up just like it usually is at tour events, with players, an ATP handler, a few film crews, a player seated behind the table - but only one person who appeared to be an actual journalist. I relay this only to emphasize the Just build it, they will come aspect of this entire endeavor. It's built. I hope that over time everyone does come, because it took courage and vision to make this a reality.
The team that beat Nenad Zimonjic and Daniel Nestor (the no. 2 doubles team in the world) and inspired the second of those headlines I quoted above? It was Darko Madjarovski and Marko Djokovic, Novak's 18-year old brother. Darko and Marko never even hit balls until a week ago, and they survived a tight match with two of the most talented, veteran doubles players on the main tour. The score that was posted at the Serbia Open website was 7:6, 2:6, 10:6 - do with it what you will. And let's have no whispering about this upset - this was a day the world's top doubles team (Bob and Mike Bryan) also went down, in Munich.
Marko showed that he has a touch of that Djokovic hubris when he said, “This is not a surprise, the result is real and I hope that we will win the tournament.” Darko Madjarovski was a little more circumspect, perhaps because at 25, he's seven years older than Marko, Madjarovski waxed philosophical, saying: "It was a great honor to step out to the court with Zimonjic and Nestor. The ball is round, everything is possible. We are moving on."
I hope the weather stays sunny and warm, because apparently there aren't any covers for the courts at the Milan Gale Muskatirovic. You know how it is with a big project like this, it's easy to forget some of the details: Rain? Who woulda thunk it?!!!. Once upon a time, the site (can we agree to just call it the Milan Gale?) was some sort of tennis facility. The Djokovic family bought it, figured out a way to rehabilitate it, and bought out the sanction of the tournament usually held in Amersfoort. That made room on the calendar for the Serbia Open. Tennis benefited from the swap: it may have lost a minor regional tournament, but it gained a national championship. Let's face it: any tournament that begins with the name of a nation and ends in "Open" has a certain amount of heft.
I don't know if you saw Neil Harman's Net Post column the other day, but he wrote that three years ago, when Djokovic was temporarily stateless because of the split between Serbia and Montenegro, the LTA made an aggressive effort to move the Djokovics to England. Among other things, they allegedly dangled a membership in the All-England Club, as well a a retirement home in Eastbourne, overlooking Devonshire Park (the site of the annual WTA tournament). It speaks to the depth and passion of the Djokovic family's patriotic feelings that they turned down the offer.
Now, they have a tournament of their own, and a captive domestic audience. As Novak has said, "This is very important, especially for my family, for myself and for all the players from Serbia, to have a tournament for the first time in the history of our country. Everybody is really excited." Harman reported that Lleyton Hewitt and Juan Carlos Ferrero, two former no. 1s, had asked for wild cards but were turned down because Goran Djokovic had awarded two of the three on offer to a pair of little known Serbs (Filip Krajinovic and Arsenije Zlatanovic), and gave the other one to Marcos Baghdatis.
It just so happens that Novak was drawn to play fellow Serbs Janko Tipsarevic and Viktor Troicki, in back-to-back matches. He's already taken care of Janko - Viktor is next. So, with Marko and Novak still alive and kicking, things are looking pretty good for the Djokovic family, whose business apparently is officially known as Family Sport. It's all about family for the Djokovices. And the Serbia Open is all about the Djokovic family and their fellow Serbs, which includes Daniel Nestor - sort of. Let's remember that he was born in Belgrade.
Darko. Remember that name if you find yourself rebelling against peer group pressure to name your kid Cody, Tucker, or Kwame.
Posted: 14.05.09 08:09. Post subject: ну хоть какой-то тол..
ну хоть какой-то толк от мыши в разделе Ноля, статью соорудила в Мадриде Джокович: немного вымотан, но это моя работа 13 мая 2009 года, среда. 20:30 Автор: Светлана Штейн из Мадрида, "Чемпионат.ру"
Только что выигравший новый турнир в Белграде серб Новак Джокович тем не менее опустился в рейтинге ATP на четвёртое место. О несовершенстве системы подсчёта очков, о только что выигранном стартовом поединке в Мадриде и о своих конкурентах теннисист поведал на пресс-конференции, на которой побывали спецкоры "Чемпионат.ру". — Матч с Оскаром Эрнандесом был для вас первым в столице Испании. Как оцениваете свои физические кондиции? — Я играл настолько хорошо, насколько это было нужно. Несмотря на то что мы играли около полутора часов, я выиграл в двух сетах. Судя по результату, кажется, что я добился лёгкой победы, но это не так. Возможно, это из-за того, что я сегодня первый раз играл на центральном корте. Мадрид отличается от других грунтовых "Мастерсов", мяч здесь летит по-другому. Я немного устал физически, потому что играю подряд третью неделю. В последних четырёх турнирах я был в финалах, выиграл титул в Сербии, победа дома для меня была очень важной. Я немного вымотан эмоционально, но это моя работа.
— В начале второго сета вы упали. Как вы оцениваете состояние кортов, что было не так, как чувствуете себя сейчас? — Сложно сразу поймать ритм игры, когда первый раз играешь на центральном корте нового стадиона. Мне понравилось, выглядит хорошо. Покрытие на центральном корте меня удовлетворило, но открытые корты, на которых я тренировался в первый день, оставляют желать лучшего. На тренировке я пытался найти свою игру, мне не удавалось этого сделать, поэтому первый матч получился таким непростым. Упал я потому, что поскользнулся. После того как поливают корт, он становится очень скользким. Я боялся, что что-то такое может случиться, но не особенно в это верил. Мне повезло, что я успел сгруппироваться во время падения и всё обошлось без последствий.
— Вернёмся к Белграду, как вы оцениваете проведённый турнир? — Я принимал участие в организации турнира и был главным фаворитом. Я ощущал давление, потому что должен был победить. Особенно нервным для меня вышел полуфинал, когда я проиграл сет. В целом же могу сказать, что мне было легко, так как в первых двух кругах я играл с сербскими теннисистами. Для Serbian Open очень хорошо, что его выиграл сербский теннисист. Было много зрителей и прессы. Я очень доволен, что турнир произвёл хорошее впечатление на наших иностранных гостей и игроков. — Что вы думаете о Рафаэле Надале? — Хммм... В каком смысле? (Улыбается.)
— В качестве игрока… — Думаю, он в последнее время плохо играет на грунте, так что ему надо совершенствоваться… (Смех в пресс-зале.) Если серьёзно, то он заслуженно № 1 в мире, он очень мотивирован и хочет повторить прошлогодний успех на этом покрытии. Он настоящий чемпион.
— Вам не кажется, что он лучший в течение долгого времени из-за своих выдающихся физических способностей? — Несомненно, физические кондиции на первом месте, но главное преимущество Надаля – его психологическая устойчивость. Ты можешь быть хорошо готов физически, но в решающие моменты на первый план выходит ментальный аспект, что у Рафы развито превосходно. Он удивительно спокойный игрок. Он берёт верх над соперником, используя физические способности, может затянуть его в долгие розыгрыши, я это знаю по опыту игры с ним. Он всегда заставит тебя сыграть лишний удар. В этом его преимущество.
— Изменился ли Рафа за последние несколько месяцев, когда стал первой ракеткой? — Он повзрослел. Он доминирует на грунте на протяжении пяти лет, сейчас он уже имеет в активе победы в Австралии и на Уимблдоне. Он улучшил игру на харде и траве. — Несмотря на то что вы сейчас на четвёртом месте в рейтинге, надеетесь ли вы вернуть очки на Уимблдоне? — Возвращение на третью позицию сейчас мотивирует меня даже больше, чем раньше. Но я старюсь на этом не зацикливаться, тем более что у меня в активе три финала "Мастерсов", два титула, это большой успех для меня. Лишний раз можно убедиться в том, как жесток рейтинг. Ты стараешься подальше пройти на турнирах, как можно лучше сыграть, но можешь терять очки всё равно, если не защищаешь выигранные титулы. Это давит на игроков. Каждый год мы должны защищать очки. Если выигрываешь каждый год один и тот же турнир, ты ничего не зарабатываешь, только подтверждаешь. Надаль и Федерер могут выиграть четыре турнира "Большого шлема" и не заработать при этом ни очка. Вопрос на повестку дня для руководства АТР.
— Есть ли разница между центральным и остальными кортами здесь, в Мадриде? — Я не тренировался на кортах под крышей. Я чувствую разницу только между центральным и остальными открытыми кортами. Другие игроки мне говорили, что второй и третий корты практически находятся под крышей, поэтому есть ощущение, что ты играешь в зале, что не очень хорошо для этой части сезона.
— Энди Маррей сейчас занял третье место в рейтинге и признался, что заслужил второе, что он достоин следовать сразу за Рафой. Вы с ним согласны? Что думаете по этому поводу?
— Я только что отвечал на этот вопрос про рейтинг. Результаты, которые я показал за последние три месяца, не сильно отражаются на моём рейтинге. Я считаю, что показал хорошую игру на харде и на грунте и добился результатов. Думаю, что если я не буду "загоняться" по поводу всего этого, мой рейтинг вернётся на своё место. Маррей заслужил своё место в рейтинге, он хорошо играет. Но впереди у нас с ним ещё длинная дорога.
Post №: 876
Joined: 24.03.09
Location: Россия, Ногинск
Rank:
5
Posted: 14.05.09 10:49. Post subject: Возвращение на трет..
quote:
Возвращение на третью позицию сейчас мотивирует меня даже больше, чем раньше
Вот это фраза, по моему, является самой главной из всего интервью. Если на самом деле так и есть, то будут и результаты и выигрыши и рейтинг. Не нужно останавливаться и оглядываться назад, сколько там титулов и прочее, а двигаться вперёд, тем более, есть куда стремиться. В этом отношении, Рафа является эталоном. Такого стремления, напора и самоотдачи на корте, наверно ни у кого нет и не было. Конечно, Джок таким не будет, у него другая натура, творческая, артистическая. Он любит публику, любит покрасоваться перед ней, быть в центре внимания. Т.Е. куча соблазнов, от которой Джок не может и не хочет отказываться, но которые могут и мешать его карьере, профессиональной теннисной.
Posted: 17.05.09 00:38. Post subject: С ПК после матча с Р..
С ПК после матча с Рафой. спасибо Кате:
Q: Novak is it any consolation to know that you played so well that you contributed to one of the greatest matches… A: It happens to often, so, I’m very disappointed that I can play this well and still not win a match.
Q: Do you think you could have done anything better than you’ve done today or not? A: I’ve think that I’ve played my best tennis on this surface. I don’t think you need my comments, you could see everything. A couple of points decided the winner.
Q: Novak, you’ve done a great effort to win in Belgrade in the tournament in Serbia and then you come here to Madrid and you play like a real monster and you fight, I mean, other people went off the tournament because Roland Garros is near but this is only one battle against Rafa, I mean, it was so near that we are all a little collapsed. Both of you can’t win but today you really deserved it. Other people say “Oh, Roland Garros is very near and we don’t want to fight like monsters”. The game was four hours and three sets. A: Look, I’m a professional tennis player and in each match I try to give my maximum, so this is what I did today. I think that in some points of the match I played even above my limits, especially on the match points that I had and it’s frustrating when you play so well and you can’t win a match.
Q: But are you going to try to keep on trying in Paris? Because there you’ll have semis and you will maybe have plenty of good results. A: I hope I’ll be ready.
Q: Novak, I think that we all understand your emotions at the moment. In a couple of days time when you have been able to recover a little, what will the positive things you can take out of this match be? A: Well, I’m taking positives of the last couple of matches we’ve played on this surface and the positives are that I’m one point away from the victory. I don’t know, next time I’ll probably take two rackets on the match point and try to hit past him. I don’t know what to do.
Q:You said that the match was decided in a couple of points, what made the difference in those points? A: I don’t know. if I knew I would probably win.
Первая ракетка мира испанец Рафаэль Надаль, обыгравший в полуфинале турнира в Мадриде серба Новака Джоковича со счетом 3:6, 7:6, 7:6, предположил, что, несмотря на проигрыш, этот матч придаст Джоковичу уверенности.
«Новак, конечно, сейчас расстроен, но когда он проанализирует игру в холодном свете дня, то извлечет для себя все положительные моменты этого матча, он был так близок к победе. Этот матч, безусловно, придаст ему уверенности в преддверии «Ролан Гаррос», он показал великолепный теннис на грунте в этом сезоне.
Новак – великолепный игрок и всегда им был. Сейчас, мне кажется, он прибавляет от матча к матчу», – цитирует Надаля Reuters.
И все-таки мегаматч на кортах Мадрида состоялся. В полуфинале турнира Mutua Madrilena Madrid первой ракетке мира Рафаэлю Надалю наконец-то пришлось вступить в настоящую мужскую борьбу и приложить все силы, все свое суперумение, и даже немножко больше, чтобы вырвать победу у Новака Джоковича. Стадион ликовал так, будто Испания отразила вероломное нападении Сербии, никак не меньше. Надаль в очередной раз подтвердил неслучайность своего имиджа непобедимого короля грунта, выиграв подряд 33-й матч на земле со счетом 3:6, 7:6 (7-5), 7:6 (11-9). От этой битвы гурманы тенниса получили огромное удовольствие, а эксперты – ценную информацию и, возможно, некоторые ответы на вопрос: готов ли кто-то сегодня всерьез составить испанцу конкуренцию на грунте? Описывать субботнюю четырехчасовую битву – дело неблагодарное, все равно, что сачком попытаться поймать радугу. Слишком многоцветным, стремительно меняющимся и сложным по своей драматургии был этот поединок. Так что попробуем лишь обозначить главное. А главным было не наличие каких-то особенных технических средств и приемов – чем владеют на корте испанец и серб, хорошо известно всем, кто интересуется теннисом. И соперники не предложили чего-то нового. Условно говоря, у Надаля была булава, у Новака – меч. И доспехи одинаковой прочности. Но все решало умение мыслить, тактические идеи, сила духа, психология борьбы. С первых же розыгрышей стало очевидно, что Джокович после проигранных двух финалов в Монте-Карло и Риме нашел в себе внутреннюю опору, чтобы вступить в борьбу с Надалем без обычного, легко читаемого по его лицу, ощущения обреченности. В конце концов, он ничего не терял, кроме своих цепей, а приобрести мог – и жаждал – славу первого, кто остановит Надаля на его излюбленном покрытии, к тому же – на его территории, в Испании. И Новаку хватило мужества попытаться осуществить свой план. В первом сете серб выложил все свои козыри умелого и уже достаточно опытного грунтового игрока, действовал разнообразно, грамотно нагнетал давление, чаще ходил к сетке. Джокович был энергетически заряжен, целеустремлен, а Рафа будто потерялся на корте, не справлялся с подачей и веером острых прострелов. В какой-то момент – в восьмом гейме, когда на табло уже было 2:5 и подавал Надаль – штурм позиций испанца даже показался избыточным. Сенсация рождалась на глазах. Но вот Рафа невозмутимо отыграл очередной брейк-пойнт (а точнее – сет-бол) и – 3:5. Новак подает – двойная... И вдруг становится ясно, что ничего не ясно – в игре с Надалем, как уже не раз бывало, даже явное преимущество легко может улетучиться... Но вопреки этим мыслям, возможно, витавшим и в голове серба, он берет сет. Главный урок выигранного раунда: если уметь навязать Надалю свою игру, то его можно побеждать. Только это и есть самое трудное в противоборстве с испанцем, который, как паук, затягивает соперника в свои сети. Что и подтвердила следующая партия. В первом сете Джокович не сплоховал, играл в своем стиле – до конца, а во втором это уже не получалось. У Рафы есть такая особенность, как у супергероев в боевиках: если его положат на лопатки, он крепчает, наливается силой, энергией. Во втором сете он заметно прибавил в скорости и уже доставал мячи, до которых раньше не дотягивался. Доставал и возвращал – остро, неудобно. Пошли его привычные косые перекрученные топ-спины с немыслимой траекторией, ложившиеся в боковые линии, хитрости с выманиванием к сетке и молниеносной обводкой. Игра теперь уже была равная – и по активности, и по счету. Равная-то равная, но розыгрыши стали затягиваться, и Новак уже все чаще напоминал футболиста, защищавшего свои ворота то с одного края поля, то с другого. Именно этого Надаль и добивался: соперник играл в удобный ему теннис. Играл хорошо, ни в чем не уступал, но и не диктовал свою волю. И можно было заметить, как разочарован серб таким поворотом событий. После очередного нереально долгого розыгрыша, где он выдал на гора все свое умение, а Рафа все угадал и все отразил, на лице Новака появилась устало-ироничная улыбка – мол, сами все видите, все понимаете – ну, как с ним ТАКИМ бороться? Бороться он продолжал, но уже как-то больше на автопилоте, без прежней дерзости и куража. А Надаль к середине второго сета бегал вприпрыжку, отдавался игре самозабвенно, то убегал далеко за корт, чуть не на трибуны, то вдруг оказывался у сетки и перехватывал неудобный, летящий прямо в него мяч где-то у живота и превращал его в мертвый укороченный кинжальным движением ракетки. Неудобно, не по учебнику, но эффективно. Иногда такая игра Рафы, в которой он выражает свою сущность – бежать, лететь, бороться и бить из любого положения – напоминает некий ритуал. Есть в ней что-то мистически шаманское. Наверно, он фаталист, верит в свою судьбу и в себя, и потому не боится проиграть. Надо только делать свое дело, а результат предопределен. И, наверное, не лукавит, говоря, что обожает такие матчи, в которых очень тяжело. Есть такие люди, которые живут по принципу «чем хуже, тем лучше», считая, что муки терпения и усилия воли ведут к вершине. Таким характерам трудно противостоять, их нельзя запугать и сломить. Так что не удивительно, что в середине второго сета при счете 4:4 Надалю удалось отыграть два скрытых сет-бола, а Новаку не удалось за них зацепиться: психологически Рафа уже стал сильнее. Думается, это и был тот ключевой эпизод, когда судьба матча могла быть решена в двух сетах, но Надалю хватило веры в свой успех, а Джоковичу – нет. И партия перешла в тай-брейк, где судьба поощрила того, кто в нее больше верит. А третий сет уже сложился под копирку второго. Снова тай-брейк, где у Новака три возможности одним ударом завершить матч в свою пользу. И снова Рафе мистически везет… Это же ощущение мистики испытываешь, когда смотришь статистику матча: у Джоковича все лучше, кроме первой подачи (58% против 75%) – меньше двойных и невынужденных ошибок (43-50), в два раза больше эйсов (6-3), больше активно выигранных очков (37-31). Новак имел восемь брейк-пойнтов и реализовал два, а Рафа имел всего два и один реализовал. На послематчевой пресс-конференции Новак говорил о тщетности своих усилий в противоборстве с Рафой. Очень был расстроен. На самом деле он сделал на грунте заметный шаг вперед, что позволяет некоторым знатокам тенниса сегодня оценивать его шансы на «Ролан Гаррос» выше, чем шансы Роджера Федерера. Впрочем, дождемся сегодняшнего финала, в котором сойдутся первая и вторая ракетки мира. Легкая победа над Дель Потро (6:3, 6:4) дала куда меньше информации о готовности Роджера противостоять Надалю. Многое, конечно, будет зависеть и от того, как восстановится Рафа после проведенного мегаматча. Прогноз на финал, думается, делать бессмысленно. Хотя, если сравнивать выступления Надаля и Федерера, начиная с Открытого чемпионата Австралии этого года, то, конечно же, шансов на победу у Рафы гораздо больше. Кстати, испанец может установить рекорд: первым за всю историю тенниса собрать полную коллекцию титулов победителя всех турниров серии «Мастерс» в рамках одного сезона. Если только Федерер не совершит того, что не удалось Джоковичу.
Posted: 18.05.09 11:14. Post subject: ‘Novak will conquer ..
‘Novak will conquer Paris and Wimbledon’ Novak Djokovic dominated the recent Serbia Open, a first ATP-tier tennis event to be held in his homeland. The Serbian number one won his 13th career title in Belgrade, while tennis fans in Serbia had the privilege to see the player’s entire camp, in which one of the most important roles is occupied by Djokovic’s manager, Alon Kaksuri.
Thrilled with Belgrade and with what he saw during the week of tennis at the M.G.M. sports complex, Kaksuri says he takes pleasant memories from Serbia Open. - “I travel the world all year round, but what the Djokovic family has done here is incredible. Everything is amazing. The venue is located by the river, and the tennis facility itself is terrific, much like the Novak cafe. The central court is as if it’s made for a Grand Slam tournament. This event is the best advertising campaign Serbia can have. Many still don’t realize the magnitude of this whole thing, but Belgrade has been enlisted in the ATP calendar, together with the likes of New York, Paris and Wimbledon. I am sure many will want to come to Belgrade and see what is organized here. And many great players will be coming, too, I’m sure. You should be proud of this event. After all I’ve seen, I can only wish I was Serbian,” said Kaksuri.
Do you often visit Belgrade together with Novak? - “I’ve been here many times and it’s always been nice; I can say I’m in love with this city. Everyone is really polite, everything is fantastic, especially when it comes to the tennis tournament.”
Your are believed to be the man behind the scenes in the Novak Djokovic team and that you are in charge of pretty much everything – from booking hotel rooms to signing sponsor contracts. - “Novak is the boss, as well as his family. Everyone else is there to help and do their bit to help make Novak an even better player. I’ve been with Novak since his age of 15. I am his manager and by definition I am responsible for the professional and commercial aspects of his career. I think the most important job is to create a perfect surroundings for Novak, one that would be conducive to getting the best out of him. My relationship with him and his closest ones is literally as if we were one big family – they help me, and I help them. When they said they wanted a tournament in Belgrade, I was there to connect them with the owners of the Amersfoort tournament, who were later to sell them the licence.”
Novak recently hired a new fitness coach – Gebhard Phil-Gritsch. - “My job was to hire a new man. It wasn’t hard, as Gebhard is really a sought-after coach. We’d been looking for the best possible expert, but also someone Novak would easily get accustomed to. Moreover, Novak’s family has learned a lot. Now they are so good at what they do that they are capable of putting together an ATP event without anyone’s assistance.”
It was your idea that Novak should work with Marian Vajda. - “I remember Marian when he began working with Novak, but even before that, when he coached Dominik Hrbaty. It was my idea to bring Vajda in Novak’s team. We were really lucky to have done that as he is a great guy and an top-class coach, one who’s also grown into a personal friend of Novak’s and his family over the years. Even if they stop working together one day, they will surely remain friends.”
Djokovic’s fine results make it easier to attract sponsors and contracts. - “A great thing about Novak is that he is not only an excellent tennis player, but also a complete person. He is likeable and people want to be in his company. He will always work for sponsors if they are the ones whose products he endorses. For example, he is currently the ambassador of Head company. He played with Head racquets as a boy, but the company were really enthusiastic to get Novak Djokovic on their team again. They have developed special racquets just for Novak, as well as a great commercial which has been airing lately.”
What are your most immediate priorities nowadays? - “Now that he won the Serbia Open, we have other aims. I don’t like to discuss the future, but our wish is for Novak to win two European Grand Slams – the French Open and Wimbledon. I think that is not unattainable.”
Is it hard to harmonize all the ideas and plans? Have you ever had disputes? - “No, we haven’t. Novak is an grown, mature person, and he always says what is on his mind. We may not always agree on everything, but even if we reach that point, we look to find the best possible solution. We talk about all aspects of his career. He is a very smart guy, and he is not one of those people who just say yes or no. He thinks about everything.”
You have worked with other top tennis players, such as Marat Safin. - “That experience helps me in my cooperation with Novak. I don’t want to work with more than one player at the same time, because you can’t do your job professionally. I’ve worked with Dinara Safina when she was the world’s number one. It’s only a matter of time before Novak gets there too. I don’t want to apply any additional pressure on him. He has all he needs – he is confident and I believe no one wants to play him at the moment, which is a good sign.”
You will have seen many of Djokovic’s matches live. Which one is your favourite? - “I’ve witnessed many of his great matches, but I think I most enjoyed the one against Federer at the 2008 Australian Open. It was his first Grand Slam title after beating the player who had before that been virtually unbeatable in Australia. He was very convincing from start to finish.”
Have you had a chance to play a match of tennis against Djokovic? - “No, I haven’t, and I don’t intend to. I play tennis for recreational purposes only and for fun. Everyone thinks that because I am in tennis I have to know everything about it and be good at it. It feels nice, but I know what the truth is.”
At 7 – 7 in the third set breaker, when Nole looked up at the skies (profile picture above) with arms open as if to think, ‘You know, I really cannot play a better match and a match point, and I just lost a match point again, can you help me mate?’. It was as if he was looking for divine intervention. Nole lost 6-3 6-7 (5) 6-7 (9).
Brilliant, Nole played brilliant almost to the point of saying he played just as good as Rafael Nadal. But Rafa has something that Nole does not on clay, and that is all that made the difference as of today evening. Auto Pilot, Cruise Control…and an inability to believe that you can actually lose on this surface, unless anyone proves you otherwise.
Nole came close, closer than any other in history, but he just could not shut the door because Nadal never went away. Its not like Nole was not aggressive, in fact he was extremely aggressive on all match points forcing the issue, but Rafael just came up with something absolutely scintillating on each of those match points.
On the first match point, at the end of a long exhausting, physically brutal rally, Rafael eventually drilled a forehand down the line for a clean whistle winner, leaving Nole speechless. He ran Nole from side to side, to eventually drill a clean cross court forehand winner, by going behind Nole on the second match point. Look to heavens, for there is no one else who can help you on that court, you are all alone…similar to how Nole would have felt.
Federer looms tomorrow, and he might very well make a match out of it. Rafael is indeed weary a bit after the four hour marathon. Rodge made a very good point in his interview, that it’s not really four hours playing but only court time. This is because of the fact that both Nole and Rafa take their time on court between serves.
An absolutely brilliant effort from Nole. He clearly is the second favorite for Roland Garros this year, if Rafa has a bad day on or before meeting Nole there is no reason to believe that Nole will not win the slam. I just hope he does not carry the misfortune of running into Rafael in the final four. I would want them to go against each other on any other day other than second Sunday (I will be in NY again for the final, to watch it with my best mate).
Madrid has indeed filled in for Hamburg in more ways than one. Hamburg bounced lower, aiding other players to run closer to Rafael. But Madrid is faster than the Parisian clay, so please do read into the results with that in mind. Parisian clay is very different…slower and bounces more reinforcing Nadal’s topspin game
Will Federer win tommorrow? Well let me put it this way, if I was indeed a betting bloke I would bank my chips on a certain Spaniard, but we never say never.
How empty is Rafael’s tank?
Your guess is as good as mine. If it was as empty as it was in the OZ final, it still isn’t good enough for him to lose.
Rafael is on cruise control on clay, he does not believe he will lose unless you prove him wrong. Will Federer prove him wrong?
Posted: 18.05.09 11:35. Post subject: Novak recently hired..
quote:
Novak recently hired a new fitness coach – Gebhard Phil-Gritsch. - “My job was to hire a new man. It wasn’t hard, as Gebhard is really a sought-after coach. We’d been looking for the best possible expert, but also someone Novak would easily get accustomed to. Moreover, Novak’s family has learned a lot. Now they are so good at what they do that they are capable of putting together an ATP event without anyone’s assistance.”
It was your idea that Novak should work with Marian Vajda. - “I remember Marian when he began working with Novak, but even before that, when he coached Dominik Hrbaty. It was my idea to bring Vajda in Novak’s team. We were really lucky to have done that as he is a great guy and an top-class coach, one who’s also grown into a personal friend of Novak’s and his family over the years. Even if they stop working together one day, they will surely remain friends.
То что они друзья все уже заметили, надеюсь тренер по физичке будет держать дистанцию и сможет напрягать Ноля работать в нужном направлении
Posted: 18.05.09 19:27. Post subject: Для поднятия настроя..
Для поднятия настроя! Novak Djokovic Ends His Relationship With Rafael Nadal (Humor) Frankie's News has today intercepted a letter from Novak Djokovic - a tennis player known for his sense of humour - to his (former) tennis buddy, Rafael Nadal. However, this letter is anything but funny. It seems that a beautiful friendship has come to an end and we at Frankie's News are still wiping away our tears.
We advise our readers to grab a box of tissues before reading the letter which is printed below:
Dear Rafa,
We have always been good friends, you and I. We have enjoyed a spot of golf together, had fun playing some poker in Monte Carlo and spent many a time debating who has the larger female fan base. (At least I am kind enough to remove my shirt for my female fans when I have won a tournament.)
I have always taken defeat at your hands very gracefully, especially when we play on clay as I know that you will always be the overwhelming favourite there.
Did I complain when you won in Monte Carlo even though I managed to take a set from you? No.
Did I manage to keep a smile plastered on my face a couple of weeks later when you stole my title in Rome? Yes.
So I really feel that you could have at least given me Madrid. Yeah, yeah I know it is your home turf and all that but you didn’t even want to play there at first! Don’t think I didn’t hear you complaining about the altitude, the bad ball bounces and the fast surface. The minute I start complaining the whole media pounce on me.
I, on the other hand, did not moan even though I had to fly all the way to Spain after only just having won the Serbian Open. I (unlike some) am proud to have set up an event in my home country and to have played infront of my home crowd. You couldn’t even be bothered to do me a favour and come and play in Serbia to give the event a bit more prestige…and then you complained about your own country’s event!
Ok, so perhaps I am going slightly off the point here, but I am still very cross about the whole thing.
I didn’t complain about the heat once. I made less fuss about my aches and pains than you did about your knees. I won the first set 6-3 in a matter of minutes. I took you to two tiebreakers. I did not give up when you won the second set. I played phenomenal tennis throughout the match (in my opinion I actually played better than you).
I had TWO match points for god’s sake. What more do I have to do? Do you have no heart? No mercy?
I may have given you a hug at the end of the match but I was thinking about “accidentally” whacking you around the head with my racket.
You have torn out my heart and shred it to pieces. It is a good job that this wasn’t a final or I may have done a “Roger” in the trophy ceremony.
To make matters worse, you then lost to Roger in straight sets the next day. What are you trying to do? Humiliate me?
So that’s it. I am no longer your friend.
If you see me in the locker room in Paris please do not come up to me or you may end up having to pull out of the French Open due to some serious injuries.
Your ex-tennis buddy,
Nole
Editor: We warned you it was sad, didn't we? (Sob, sob.)
Posted: 18.05.09 19:31. Post subject: ыыыыыыыыыыыыыыыыыыыы..
quote:
I didn’t complain about the heat once. I made less fuss about my aches and pains than you did about your knees. I won the first set 6-3 in a matter of minutes. I took you to two tiebreakers. I did not give up when you won the second set. I played phenomenal tennis throughout the match (in my opinion I actually played better than you).
quote:
If you see me in the locker room in Paris please do not come up to me or you may end up having to pull out of the French Open due to some serious injuries.
Posted: 19.05.09 00:14. Post subject: Алёна Ой, мне Викто..
Алёна Ой, мне Виктор самой понравился аж жуть как. боюсь сглазить очень хорошо пишет язык хороший, в теннисе разбирается и действительно с уважением ко всем. тьфу три раза. не зря что из Питера
In some darkened and damp apartment in old Belgrade, two men in trench-coats were meeting.
One, a gypsy merchant selling relics and supposedly magical items for a living and the other, a tennis star, number four in the world - Novak Djokovic.
Djokovic shed his over-sized coat and got down to business.
Djokovic: Do you have it?
Merchant: Yes, of course. Did you bring the money?
Djokovic: Yes! Here, you can count it. It's all there.
Merchant: Thank you. Don't mind if I do.
Djokovic hands over the brief case and the merchant opens it up and starts "listening" to each thick wad of cash.
Merchant: Okay and now it is time to keep my part of the deal.
Djokovic: Let's see it.
The merchant produced a guitar shaped cover and unzipped it to show a golden tennis racket which did not cease to sparkle.
Merchant: "Made by the finest sorcerer in the Balkans. No one could match his craftsmanship nor his mystique touch."
Djokovic: I have heard so much and now I have it. (He swings the tennis scepter) The tennis world is now mine to rule.
Merchant: Before you go and enjoy your racket, there are some things you should know.
Djokovic: Oh and what is that? Is there something wrong with this racket? Because if there is, I want my money back.
Merchant: No, No! The racket is fine. It will take some getting use to but it will end up being part of you. It will enhance your swing, and it will send the ball where you mind wants it to go.
Djokovic: Excellent!! So what's the problem?
Merchant: Well there are two things. They both have to do with the sorcerer. First off, he died by the Spanish flu.
Therefore all of his creations are susceptible to anything Spanish. You may not have the greatest luck on any Spanish soil or against certain Spanish players. It is truly a Spanish curse.
Djokovic: Oh GREAT!! What else?
Merchant: The sorcerer lived a very humble life. The items he made reflect that humility. In order for this racket to work for you, you must show that same quality of what they call "humble pie".
Djokovic: Are you kidding me? Well, I could pretend.
Merchant: No, you cannot. You must have authentic humility or the racket's powers are useless.
Djokovic: Just one question.
Merchant: Yes?
Djokovic: You got any other tennis rackets with unconditional powers?
Merchant: No.
Djokovic: Oh ok.
Merchant: But I do have these magical blue sneakers which are designed to float on clay and concrete. It might offset the racket's shortcomings.
Djokovic: How much?
Merchant: 700 Euros
Djokovic: Deal! You got any t-shirts that turn invisible when I win a match?
Merchant: Uh, No!
Djokovic pumps his chest and points to the merchant and exits. The merchant shakes his head.
Merchant (to himself): Man, kids nowadays! Nothing is ever good enough. Good thing I did not sell him those Guaranteed-To-Win-Grand-Slam-Sweat-Bands!
Did you know that Cokes taste better in Madrid? I'm not talking about the Richard Gasquet kind of coke, but the U.S. symbol of all things corporate and peppy. Maybe it’s the vintage “Coca-Cola” label spelled out in cursive on the can. Maybe it’s because the recipe still calls for real sugar. Maybe Americans can only appreciate Americana when they find it somewhere else. Whatever the reason, a Coke sign caught my eye while I was walking past a small café next to the city’s elegant Retiro Park this past Saturday. Thirsty and leg-weary, I peaked inside and saw a very small room with a very large television. On it was a familiar sight: A yellow-sleeved Rafael Nadal and a blue-shoed Novak Djokovic slugging it out on red clay.
My girlfriend Julie and I ducked our heads in, ordered Cokes like Midwestern teenagers, and pulled up chairs. It was the third set, and it was clear that these two guys were in the midst of one of their customary side-to-side, up-and-back, corner-to-corner wars of shot-making attrition. It was also clear that Nadal was having an off day—his backhand was labored, his shots landed at the service line—but that he was caught up in the moment and wasn’t going to cave in.
Behind us sat three fellow tourists from the U.S., a mother with her teenage son and daughter. The boy was rooting for Djokovic, the girl for Nadal—why did this not surprise me? The five of us had the place to ourselves for a moment. I was just about to say that I’d yet to see any place in Madrid—bar, restaurant, shop, you name it—that was this quiet, that wasn’t vibrating with festive humanity. Before I could get the words out, the noise of laughter and chatter had suddenly filled the room, and a dozen or so young men and women were streaming through the door.
Spanish or not, anyone who has ever been to a wedding would recognize this crew. A marriage ceremony had just ended in a church around the corner, and these friends had escaped for a beer and a cig. The men stood a little awkwardly in dark suits and ties; the women sat down between them on stools, taking the opportunity to get off their feet. Everyone smoked and smiled and drank, and there was relief in the way they swayed a little as they faced each other in a semicircle.
They also watched Nadal, their countryman. In the time they stood in the café, his semi with Djokovic went from being just another entertaining slugfest—the third these guys have put on over the course of this clay season—to an all-time classic. Along with his Australian Open semifinal win over Fernando Verdasco, it’s the second one-for-the-books that Nadal has been involved in during 2009 alone. If he isn’t the best player in history, he may at least go down as the guy who played its best matches.
As the third set wound into its fourth hour and toward an inevitable tiebreaker, the wedding-goers’ conversation was repeatedly punctured by an “Ah!” or an “Oh!” or a “Si!” or a “Vamos!” or any number of other strange and involuntary blurtings that sports fans everywhere recognize as the sounds of impassioned disbelief. After each one, the group would stop talking and turn their heads toward the TV screen.
There they saw a heavyweight fight on dirt. Through dint of effort, Nadal had shrugged off his earlier constricted form and was swinging freely. If anything, Djokovic was even freer; he wasn’t stroking the ball, he was clubbing it, but his viciousness retained an elegance. The wedding party may have had a reception to attend, but there was no way they could leave now.
I have no notes from the match; I hadn’t even intended to watch it. But what could a few scribblings tell me about this one, anyway? What I remember thinking was that, more than usual, Nadal won it by doing anything he could. When he teared up at match point against Verdasco, Nadal went as far emotionally as you can go while a match is still going on. This time he went as far as you can go from a shot perspective—Nadal threw them all at Djokovic, and each improvisation led to something new and more confident as the match got tighter. The sliding backhand desperation moonball? That morphed into a ripped backhand crosscourt later. The short, overly spin-y forehand that he had going early? That became a heavy shot that he used to bludgeon and wear down Djokovic’s backhand. Finally, down match point in the tiebreaker, Nadal took a forehand at shoulder level from behind the baseline and hit a winner into the corner. After four hours, he'd peaked
The wedding-goers eventually stopped talking and just stared at the screen. Blue shoes or yellow sleeves, both guys—Djokovic exasperated but valiant, Nadal willing himself to believe the day could end with a victory and having come too far not to make it happen—commanded our attention. I mentioned a couple weeks ago that Nadal always allows himself to celebrate a win, no matter how early it is in a tournament. His celebration of this one, which he had manufactured for the home fans on an off day, could be set in stone—Nadal landed prone on the court, hands at full stretch above his head, his body as rigid as a statue. It was a just a semifinal, but by ignoring the future and treating it like a momentous occasion, one worth fighting for, one worth finding different ways to win, Nadal didn’t just give himself a chance to revel. He and Djokovic gave tennis fans, as well as a few wedding-goers making an escape, one more day to remember—as you can tell from this post, watching it was an indelible experience for me. No town likes a party more than Madrid, whatever the occasion, so it's fitting that in this city we saw a tennis match become more than just a thrill or a rush or a battle or a fight or even a spectacle. Nadal-Djokovic was a celebration of everything we call competition.
Posted: 21.05.09 12:12. Post subject: Roger Federer and No..
Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic Make a Deal (Satire) At home in Serbia, Novak Djokovic relaxes on a couch with his laptop and goes through Roger Federer’s letter to Rafael Nadal, which has just been intercepted by an unknown news agency and is currently the breaking news.
After this, he decides to strike up a telephone conversation with Roger.
Djokovic calls up Federer.
Federer: Hello.
Djokovic: Hello Roger. Novak here. Congrats for the Madrid title!
Federer (sounding irritated): You? Look...if you think you have become too smart after "raining" shots at me in Rome...
Djokovic (interrupting Roger): Oh no! Just thought of calling you up and congratulating you since no call came from your side.
Federer (sounding surprised): From my side? Why on earth should I call a World No. 4?
Djokovic (with a chuckle): Aahh! I read that you yourself wrote to Rafa saying you need to thank me for doing you a favour...and you also thanked Rafa.
Federer (sounding completely shocked): What? How? Where did you read it?
Djokovic: No idea...some obscure, nameless news agency got hold of your letter.
Federer (sounding exasperated): What the hell! Damn those James Bond paparazzi! In any case, you know I played great, as always. My serves and forehands were superb as always. Uhh, I had to show that bit of humility to Rafa. You know that Rafa is a male Florence Nightingale!
Djokovic: Yeah, yeah, I understand. By the way, have you seen that exhibition event at the inauguration ceremony of the roof at Wimby?
Federer (sounding annoyed): Darn those stupid Wimby organizers! They should have known it would clash with my final. Anyway, caught it on YouTube.
Djokovic: Oh yeah, I forgot you were slogging while I was relaxing at home. You saw how green and fast the courts look and how Andre and Steffi feasted on the green grass. Aah! Steffi, how amazing she still looks...
Federer (interrupting Djokovic): Umm, yeah, okay. What were you saying?
Djokovic: Yeah, I was saying, do you fancy our chances against the "moonwalkers"? One can still volley a bit, but that No. 3 seems to have grown up without ever having seen a net in a court! And Roger, you are the master of serve and volley, and I, too, have improved volleying pretty much lately, so it should be easy. What do you say Roger?
Federer (sounding apprehensive): Ummm...uhh...but don't you think Rafa would drink gallons of Gatorade and would toss us like flying discs? You know at Melbourne I was chuckling that I had over two days of rest and he had just a 40-hour gap—still you saw what a sobbing wreck he turned me into?
Djokovic (sounding very cool): Chill, Roger. Gatorade cannot make one serve and volley like a Roger Federer!
Federer (breaking into a smile): Oh, thanks a lot!
Djokovic: My pleasure! Look, you desperately need that 14th, and I need to put an end to people calling me ''Chokovic'' because I have been losing finals like hell to those two moonwalkers!
Federer: Hmm, so?
Djokovic (sounding sheepish): So, what if we have a deal? I will defeat Rafa for you, which I believe I obviously can with my deft volleys, and you beat that Mr. Know-it-all No. 3 for me. When we face in the final, I will make sure you win your 14th!
Federer: Hmm, sounds pretty good, but what if we meet in the semis?
Djokovic: In that case I will be happy to give up my place for Roger, the great, than for that heartless human steamroller! Just need to teach that bulldozer a lesson ,and I have now practically given up hopes for Paris after all these flops. Gosh...those three match points. Uhh! It still hurts. So, is that a deal?
Federer: Yes, very much a deal. And by the way, you know you have been so nice to me, I need to wish you luck for Paris.
Djokovic (sounding relieved): Oh yes! Thanks and same to you. But remember the deal comes into effect only at Wimby!
Federer: Sure...
Rrringgg! At that moment, the alarm clock goes off. Poor Djoker realizes he had dozed off on the couch reading Roger’s letter. Frustrated as he is by his recent heartbreaking losses to Rafa and Andy and also being shoved down the rankings to No. 4, in spite of playing some brilliant stuff...he had only dreamt about a deal that never was...
Posted: 21.05.09 12:16. Post subject: The French Open Draw..
The French Open Draw: How crucial is it for Novak Djokovic? How ironic is it that Novak Djokovic has fallen to No.4 ranking at a time when he is playing some of the most spectacular tennis, arguably his best tennis post maiden Grand Slam win?
His game has improved lately by leaps and bounds, a barrage of topspin groundies strung together with immaculate serves and some delicate touches at the net are a common sight now from Djokovic’s racquet.
It’s a rejuvenated Nole now with confidence oozing and a farcry from the hapless figure falling prey to the demon called ‘’poor fitness’’ that we have got used to seeing for months and the betterment clearly gets reflected in his recent performances.
After a Monte-Carlo final where he shoved clay supremo Rafael Nadal to the 3rd set, an equally enthralling Rome finale and especially after a most heart-throbbing Madrid semi that included four hours of superlative tennis, it must be conceded that every tennis enthusiast did feel a bit disappointed for him.
With 3 match points, 37 winners to Rafa’s 31, 43 unforced errors to Rafa’s 50, 6 aces to Rafa’s 3, there’s not an iota of doubt that he has been way too close…perhaps the closest to toppling the numero uno ranked player.
Yet he had to submit in the face of tremendous opposition called Rafael Nadal for the third consecutive time on this particular surface this season, two of which have been Masters 1000 finals.
So does Rafa continue to be the only stumbling block for Djokovic’s success…a Djokovic that can even clobber Federer on clay with his continued array of shots? Has the imposing figure of Rafael Nadal on the other side of the net become too much for Novak to handle? Or is it that Rafa’s incredible amalgamation of mental stamina and physical strength continues to be insuperable for Novak?
So how much crucial now would the French Open draw prove to be for the World No.4 player? Does it indicate that if he is pitted in Roger’s half of the draw he would be successful in making his first ever non-hardcourt Grand Slam final appearance simply by averting the colossal danger called Rafael Nadal?
Draws, sure are as unpredictable as the toss of a coin and nobody knows for certain what awaits for Nole in his half. Also the fact that Roger Federer has produced a stellar performance in downing none other than Nadal on clay at Madrid would perhaps not help his cause much.
But the fact that he has succeeded in subduing Federer this season on the red dirt and has repeatedly pushed Rafa to the brink might just tilt the balance in favour of the Serb and help him squeeze through if the No.2 and No.4 are to meet in the semis.
We can only wait till 22nd May when the French Open draws will be announced to get a sneak peek into what awaits Novak’s fate and till then the ardent and most optimistic Nole fans can only keep on hoping that this time their hero can manage to break the tradition of facing the uncompromising Spaniard in the semis unlike the last two years.
Post №: 1106
Joined: 24.03.09
Location: Россия, Ногинск
Rank:
5
Posted: 22.05.09 10:57. Post subject: Сегодня день рождени..
Сегодня день рождения отмечает Новак Джокович
Сегодня, 22 мая, свой день рождения отмечает четвертая ракетка мира серб Новак Джокович. Ему испоняется 22 года.
За карьеру профессионального теннисиста Джокович выиграл 13 турниров, в том числе один – «Большого шлема». Победив на Australian Open в 2008 году, стал первым сербом, выигравшим турнир «Большого шлема», а также самым молодым победителем Открытого чемпионата Австралии со времен Стефана Эдберга. В Австралии серб обыграл в полуфинале Роджера Федерера, прервав тем самым серию швейцарца из 10 подряд финалов на турнирах «Большого шлема».
С июля 2007 по май 2009 был третьей ракеткой мира.
Вместе со своей соотечественницей Аной Иванович принимал участие в двух розыгрышах Кубка Хопмана — в 2006 и 2008 годах. Дебютировал в сборной Сербии в 2003 году. В 2007 году помог своей команде выйти в Мировую группу.
Novak Djokovic will be among the elite handful of contenders at Roland Garros, and he may be the man with the best shot at ending Rafael Nadal's remarkable, undefeated run at the French Grand Slam. Nadal is 28-0 in Paris (numbers only Bjorn Borg can match), and I've heard many people say that we shouldn't read too much into Roger Federer's recent win over Nadal in Paris.
I'm not sure I'd be so cavalier about that last bit. Sure the court played fast and the tournament took place at a high altitude, both factors that probably favored Federer. That's not to be discounted. In fact, the other day Patrick McEnroe told me that when the USA met Spain in that 2008 Davis Cup semifinal in Madrid (at the Plaza de Toros Las Ventas), Nadal was visibly upset by the fast speed of the court, and expressed his displeasure freely. You may remember that Rafa played the first match, against US rookie Sam Querrey (who won that first set in a tiebreaker before Nadal dialed in his game).
"The ball really does fly there," Pat told me. "The difference is not just real, it's really noticeable."
So Rafa can definitely tell himself that conditions will be significantly different and more favorable to him in Paris next week, but my own feeling is that in a rivalry like Federer vs. Nadal neither of the principals takes anything for granted. The fact that Roger won their last match, and on clay, is there in Rafa's mind, a small ticking thing that may - or may not - go BOOM! You can't expect Rafa to admit that Federer's authoritative play last Sunday may have taken him by surprise and put a little hiccup in his planning. Tennis pros are notoriously poker-faced. But to some degree Roger's win meant something, even though the shooting script (co-writtten with Toni Nadal) goes something like this Roger is a great player, I'm not at all surprised, but next week is a different blah-blah-blah. . .
The bottom line is that when you have two proud players who so thoroughly dominate most of their peers that they're more joined than remote from each other, everything counts. Everything can be significant, albeit not necessarily so. It just as much of a mistake to blow off the Madrid final with circumstantial excuses (fatigue, court speed, altitude, etc.) as it is to rationalize the way Federer lost that ghastly Roland Garros final last year. With two guys like this, everything counts. Everything is stored in the operating system and can affect the operation of the hard drive or one or another program. Guys like Rafa get to be guys like Roger (think about it. . .) precisely because they take nothing for granted, and when they deliver ultra-conservative cliches about their chances against any given player, they aren't engaging in false modesty. Eternal vigilance isn't just the price of liberty, it's also the price of dominance in tennis.
And this brings us around to Djokovic, who established himself as the third wheel in the Federer-Nadal rivalry last year, until the wheel fell off. But it appears to be back on again, and Djokovic is jostling and elbow-slamming Andy Murray, both of them right in thick of the hunt. You saw Djokovic's remarkable semifinal match against Nadal in Madrid, right? Nadal swept away three match points in that one, a match that established a new Master Series record when it finally ended at four hours, three minutes. Say what you will about the speed of the court or the heat of the sun, it's unlikely that Nadal walked away from that one thinking: That didn't mean nothin', guy just had a good day. . .
So the two men who had match points against Nadal in Madrid, one that converted and one that didn't, loom as his principal challengers for the title in Paris. And while Murray was on fire for much of this year, I imagine that both Rafa and Roger would prefer to see him, rather than Djokovic, plopped down in his half of the draw. Djokovic may be more dangerous than Murray for two reasons: he's been there before as a Grand slam champion (having won the Australian Open of 2008), and because he seems to be building emotional momentum that could propel him through the draw in Paris.
Djokovic got off to a fairly horrible start this year and failing to defend his title in Australia was the least of it. His game was unraveling, and his confidence at low ebb. It all started with a change of racket, from a Wilson to a new Head frame. Like so many other players before him, Djokovic realized that no matter how much money was put on the table, there was one thing no new sponsor could not guarantee: satisfaction with his product, even if, technically, there was nothing wrong with it.
As Djokovic said during the Australian Open: "I have changed rackets in past, but when I was a junior. The level of play is really -- it's different from a professional level. As the third player of the world, of course the defending champion here, it was a pretty risky move. But I already decided to do that, so I take the responsibility and I just move on. I think I found a good rhythm and good feel with the (new) racket. Hopefully it's going to stay that way."
The phrasing Djokovic used was telling, and it sheds light on his nature. I take the responsibility. . . he said, as if, a) it needed saying, or b) someone would think otherwise. So don't let those imitations Djokovic does fool you; this is one serious, responsible tennis player. Too serious, sometimes, as you can tell by his press conferences, which often are conducted with a kind of gravitas that doesn't seem quite right for a sporting occasion. If you shut your eyes, his tone and delivery seem less like those of a happy-go-lucky tennis player (think Rafa) than the cabinet-level minister responsible for the successful completion of the Trans-Serbian Hydro-Electric and Agricultural Irrigation Project.
And this, in some ways, reflects the reality and truth of Djokovic's position in the eyes of his countrymen, in a nation where the sense of kinship and patriotism is profound, unshakeable, and highly volatile. While the Spanish may embrace Rafael as the commonly owned Iberian kid brother, and the Swiss can hold up Roger Federer as a symbol of the nation's dispassionate dedication to excellence and reliability, the Serbs appear to look upon Djokovic a something far more earthy and powerful, a hero. Someone with the proverbial fate of the nation in his hands. Serbian people to some degree depend on Djokovic, it seems, or they do so to a much greater than on either of their two great female players, Ana Ivanovic and Jelena Jankovic. This is hardly surprising; if Serbia had a gender, it would most decidedly be male.
It helps to think along these lines when it comes to the Serbia Open, the tournament owned and run by the star's family. It seems that Djokovic wouldn't settle for giving his often beleaguered countrymen something positive to talk about over their morning coffee and the newspaper, he actually gave them tennis - a game, a calling-card to present to other members of the family of nations, the concrete walls and steel beams and crushed brick courts and net posts and locker rooms that, added together, add up to something tangible, something every Serb can actually enjoy and experience in a way that isn't available to the most diehard Spanish Rafa fan or diehard Swiss supporter of Federer. All of this was in the planning stages early in the year, and perhaps it added to the pressure Djokovic felt as the defender at the Australian Open. And let's remember, no less an authority than Pete Sampras has said that the hardest thing in tennis is defending a major - especially a first major. If you want to see just how hard it is, flip through the record books and see just how few people managed it.
Djokovic pretty much fell apart in Australia; the official version is that he withdrew from his quarterfinal match with Andy Roddick due to exhaustion. Does anybody want to track down the last time a defending Grand Slam champion withdrew? The first leg of the season basically was a disaster, and while Djokovic won Dubai not long thereafter, it would be his only title during the spring swing on his best surface (hard courts). And although he did make the final of Miami, he was strikingly uncertain of himself in a loss to Murray.
It seems that Djokovic was able to shrug off that loss, because in his next two events (Monte Carlo and Rome) he played the championship match against the undisputed king of clay, Nadal. In Rome, the road to the final led through Federer, but Djokovic gave it the gas and won. At that point, Djokovic made a strong move - the kind of pro-active move many Federer fans wish their own paragon had made, at various points over the past 12 months.
Djokovic hired a new fitness coach, Gebhard Phil-Gritsch - the trainer who shepherded Thomas "the Animal" Muster to the world no. 1 ranking. "I felt that I needed a change," Djokovic said, while denying that the new hire had anything to do with his loss of condition in Melbourne. "I needed something new to improve on."
And lest anyone mistake Djokovic for a slacker, he elaborated, offering a confession: "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 (in the Rome final), so I think it's all coming together."
Djokovic's next event was the Djokovic Family Open, aka Belgrade, or the Serbia Open. The idea that a player would just up and buy out a tournament (Amersfoort) and re-locate it in another venue under another name is a little strange, and the potential conflicts-of-interest are obvious. (At the end of one Australian Opien presser he fielded this question "Nadal never asked for a wildcard, but he could still play?" Djokovic replied: "We refused him because we had some priorities." Not having been there, I presume this was one of those You had to be there. . . jokes, but it makes the point.)
Djokovic didn't have to do any of the grunt work, being the de facto owner and host of the tournament. Still, the hopes of his countrymen were at a fevered pitch and the pressure on Djokovic not to disappoint was enormous. Enroute to the final, Djokovic beat two Serbs, Janko Tipsarevic and Viktor Troicki. Djokovic won the first set against Janko, but lost the second; however, a national crisis was averted when Tipsarevic folded up his tent quietly, losing the third set at love.. Djokovic sailed on, and ultimately beat Lukasz Kubot (no. 179) for the title and earned a handsome trophy. He presumably paid for that trophy out of his own pocket, so did it mean more, or less?
Winning the tournament was a demonstration not only of skill, but of Djokovic's innate sense of responsibility, and his ability to exercise and exploit it. That's marvelous ballast for the spirit of a tennis player, who usually operates with a much more narrow definition of responsibility - one best summed up as the mandate to do whatever is best for your game and to hail with everything else. It takes a different sort of maturity to undertake and make good on obligations in a realm larger than your pure self-interest, and Djokovic seems to have that sort of seasoning. Frankly, his serious nature is more appealing when he's actually got something substantial - and greater than himself - to be serious about.
There's a real payoff to that degree of adult behavior in a sport where everyone wears short pants, although it doesn't usually manifest itself early in a player's career. Let's face it - to have the ambition, energy and fearlessness of youth is quite enough when it comes to winning tennis matches. But sometimes - against certain players, in certain borderline situations, under the duress of withering pressure - any asset or shortcoming of personality is enough to tip the balance, one way or the other.
For Djokovic, a player who's experienced something like the Cliff Notes version of a career so far in 2009, I think I know which way the balance will tip.
Posted: 22.05.09 21:47. Post subject: Nadal defiance means..
Nadal defiance means nothing now, says Djokovic Novak Djokovic consigned his heroic, marathon Madrid Masters clash with Rafael Nadal to history on Friday, insisting it will have no bearing on his hopes of dethroning the Spaniard at Roland Garros. The Serbian world number four squandered three match points against the four-time French Open winner in their epic semi-final in the Spanish capital.
The nail-biting defeat followed losses to the world number one in finals in Monte Carlo and Rome in this claycourt season.
Djokovic knows he's close to Nadal, but not yet close enough.
"It's not that easy. I probably played one of the best matches of my life against him, but he made some unbelievable shots to win those points which he did - again," sighed the Serbian.
"The conditions in Spain weren't really suitable to his style of game. The altitude meant he wasn't finding his best rhythm. But when he needs to play well, he plays well.
"However, the way I played against him gives me more self-belief that I can beat him next time."
Djokovic, a French Open semi-finalist for the past two years, can only face Nadal in the final this year after being drawn in the same half as Roger Federer, who beat a fatigued Nadal in the Madrid final, bringing the Spaniard's 33-match claycourt winning streak to an end.
That was Federer's first trophy of 2009, the perfect way to come into Roland Garros where the Swiss star, having lost the last three finals here to Nadal, is seeking an elusive title to add to his 13 Grand Slam crowns.
"Roger's a player who has a lot of credit in the history of this sport," said Djokovic.
"He's loved by fans worldwide. He's number two now, has been number one and he's back on a winning streak. Tennis must be happy to see that because he's a big champion."
Djokovic said he received many plaudits for his performance in Madrid, but that he was overwhelmed by praise from Carlos Moya, a former world number one and French Open champion.
"He said it was the best three-set match he had ever seen on this surface. That was a big compliment coming from a big champion like him."
Posted: 22.05.09 21:48. Post subject: Djokovic ready to be..
Djokovic ready to beat Nadal on clay PARIS (Reuters) – A week after worrying claycourt king Rafael Nadal in Madrid, Novak Djokovic feels he has what it takes to clinch the French Open at the expense of the world number one.
Spaniard Nadal, who is undefeated at Roland Garros since his debut in 2005, lost in the Madrid Masters final to Swiss Roger Federer a day after saving three match points against Djokovic in a four-hour tussle.
"The semi-final against Rafa in Madrid gave me even more self belief that I might win in our next encounter," the world number four told reporters on Friday.
The fourth-seeded Djokovic, who has lost to Nadal in the semi-final of the French Open for the past two years, will not be in the champion's half of the draw.
Instead, Djokovic could face Federer in the last four, leaving him to hope Nadal's semi-final opponent would repeat the favor he did for the Swiss in Madrid.
"I have not seen the match, but they told me he (Nadal) wasn't moving quite well. I mean, obviously because of the long match we had played the day before," the 2008 Australian Open champion said.
However, Djokovic was aware of the size of the task facing him if he is to depose Nadal in Paris.
"If you talk about my matches on this claycourt season against Rafa, basically looking at each match I am getting closer and closer," he said.
"So there is only one more point to go. But it's not that easy. Again, I'm saying I played probably one of the best matches in my life against him on clay, even though I lost it."
Djokovic will face Ecuador's Nicolas Lapentti at Roland Garros in the first round."
Posted: 22.05.09 21:50. Post subject: Ноль, давай начнем с..
Ноль, давай начнем с малого и победим Лапентти в три сета, потом в том же духе дальше, потом глядишь упрёмся в Феда, заершим, выиграем, и тогда уже о Фафе будем думать...Что зря себе нервные клетки мыслями о нем портить, когда можно обломаться даже не дожидась перерафонита
Posted: 23.05.09 11:24. Post subject: Оказывается Елены не..
Оказывается Елены не было на турнире в Белграде. Вот это новость e ovako...ja cu ti postaviti...ma neki text da Nole i Jeca zive zajedno i interviju sa Noletovi dekom.... ZASTO JELENA NIJE DOSLA U BEOGRAD Tokom prvog ATP turnira u Srbiji mnogo se pricalo o ljubavnom zivotu naseg najboljeg igraca, a nedolazak njegove devojke pokrenuo je nagadjanja Tokom prvog teniskog ATP turnira koji je odrzan u Beogradu, cini se, vise se pisalo o ljubavnom zivotu Novaka Djokovica nego o tenisu.Prica o navodnoj tajnoj ljubavi naseg najboljeg igraca u istoriji tenisa i pevacice Natase Bekvalac bila je top-tema, a nepojavljivanje "zvanicne" Novakove devojke, dvadesettrogodisnje Beogradjanke Jelene Ristic, na mecevima Serbia opena pokrenulo je glasine da je par raskinuo... Medjutim, o raskidu ni govora. Novak i Jelena vec skoro godinu dana zive zajedno u Novakovoj kuci u Monte Karlu, dok Noletova porodica zivi u kuci pored. Novak, zbog stalnih putovanja, ne provodi mnogo vremena u zajednickoj kuci, a kada nadju malo slobodnog vremena, par obicno ode na utakmice fudbalskog kluba Monako. Novak se, kao njihov strastveni navijac, istim intenzitetom nervira i raduje, dok Jelena vreme na stadionu obicno prekracuje slanjem poruka preko mobilnog telefona. Na stadionu Monaka ovaj par je uvek dobrodosao, jer celnici tog fudbalskog kluba Novaka posmatraju kao clana kluba i on uvek ima mesto u pocasnoj lozi. Inace, mladi par je otpoceo zajednicki zivot po zavrsetku Jeleninih studija u Milanu, gde je zavrsila prestizni evropski fakultet ekonomije "Bokoni". Kada je diplomirala, Jelena se preselila kod Novaka u Monte Karlo i tamo zaposlila u predstavnistvu jedne libijske kompanije kao koordinator za ljudske resurse. - Koliko ja znam, pricala mi je, da firma bas ulaze u nju, u njeno usavrsavanje. I sad to sto nije bila u Beogradu i sva ta nagadjanja...Pa Jelena mnogo radi i cesto zbog posla putuje i logicno je da ne moza da dodje na svaki Novakov turnir. Nije ona besposlena. Kad god moze, kao pre nekoliko dana u Rimu, ona dodje - ispricala je njena drugarica ( i imenjakinja ) s kojom je Jelena studirala u Milanu. Jelena, dakle, zbog poslovnih obaveza nije mogla da bude u Beogradu tokom turnira, ali prve slobodne dane dane za dolazak u Srbiju iskoristice vec od 1. juna, kada ce doci u posetu roditeljima na najmanje dve nedelje. - Sta ja tu imam da kazem, ja sam samo Jelenina mama, morate razumeti...Mi smo samo obicna skromna porodica. Mogu samo da vam kazem da sam veoma srecna mama, jer imam dve pametne i ambiciozne cerke koje zele da se ostvare u poslu. Sto se tice Novakove i Jelenine veze, mogu samo da kazem da se medjusobno veoma podrzavaju, ponosni su jedno na drugo, i dalje su zaljubljeni - rekla je Jelenina mama Ikonija.
Jelenin zivot Jelena Ristic je zavrsila Osnovnu skolu "Drinka Pavlovic" u Beogradu. Posle toga upisala je Sportsku gimnaziju, jer se u to vreme rekreativno bavila tenisom, a tada je i upoznala Novaka. Nakon zavrsene gimnazije, roditelji su je poslali na prestizni fakultet ekonomije u Milanu, pri tom ulazuci velika sredstva u njeno skolovanje i skolovanje njene starije sestre Marije, koja je zavrsila fakultet za bankarstvo u SAD. Odlaskom na studije u inostranstvo Jelena je napustila i porodicni dom u samom centru Beograda, da bi se nakon zavrsenog trogodisnjeg fakulteta i zvanicno odselila u Monte Karlo. Zbog cestih negativnih pisanja medija, Jelenini roditelji izbegavaju svaki kontankt s novinarima.
Post №: 1109
Joined: 24.03.09
Location: Россия, Ногинск
Rank:
5
Posted: 23.05.09 15:50. Post subject: Новак Джокович: «Пол..
Новак Джокович: «Полуфинал в Мадриде против Рафы придал мне уверенности»
Серб Новак Джокович в преддверии «Ролан Гаррос» рассказал о перспективах на следующий поединок с первой ракеткой мира Рафаэлем Надалем.
«Полуфинал в Мадриде против Рафы придал мне уверенности в том, что я могу выиграть в нашем следующем поединке. Я не смотрел финальный матч, но мне сказали, что Рафа не очень хорошо двигался, очевидно, из-за четырехчасового матча, который он провел накануне.
Если говорить о моей игре против Рафы на грунте в этом сезоне, то с каждым матчем я все ближе к победе. В Мадриде мне не хватило одного очка. Еще раз скажу, что это был один из моих лучших матчей с ним на грунте, хоть я и проиграл», – цитирует Джоковича Reuters.
В первом круге «Ролан Гаррос» Джокович сыграет с чилийцем Николасом Лапентти.
Posted: 29.05.09 16:35. Post subject: N. DJOKOVIC/S. Stakh..
N. DJOKOVIC/S. Stakhovsky 6‑3, 6‑4, 6‑1
THE MODERATOR: Questions, please.
Q. How hard was it not to finish yesterday and have to come back today? Was it especially hard, or not that much?
NOVAK DJOKOVIC: Well, look, it's not pleasant when you don'tfinish a match in one day, especially on the Grand Slams when you're playingbest of five. I was lucky to come back in the second set and be two sets up, sothat was really important.
Today I played reallywell all third set and happy to, you know, to finish early so I can have moretime to recover, basically, for next match.
Q. Were you a bit angry to be scheduled maybe so late yet?
NOVAK DJOKOVIC: Well, no. I mean, I'm not angry. It's justthe way it is. That's the schedule. There is so many matches, so many good andinteresting players and interesting matches to see, so it was difficult toorganize. And we had yesterday somematches from two days ago, as well.
You know, it'sdifficult when you don't have lights. Then you have to, you know, end up quickly. And if the weather is not good, then theschedule is really packed.
Q. How do you feel your game for this first round? Because you seem to be already playing quitea bit of tennis.
NOVAK DJOKOVIC: Yeah, first round I haven't played a lot,really. Nicolas had to retire alreadysecond set, so I didn't get a lot of rhythm, which I could feel in the openingtwo sets yesterday. I didn't really geta lot of, you know, long rallies left, right. I made some unforced errors here and there.
It's important thing toreally stay focused, not underestimate any opponent and really try to give yourmaximum any match you play. I alreadyfelt today much better, and, you know, next round going to have Ferrero orKohlschreiber, whoever won the fifth set.
Any of those two, they're really good claycourt specialists and good baseline players, and we're going to have a lot oflong rallies.
Q. Afterwinning Shanghai last year as a Masters Cup, how are you looking forward to itas a Masters Series, just sort of the whole tournament?
NOVAK DJOKOVIC: It's a different format, but again, everytournament I play I try to get as far as possible. I think I have enough quality to be a reallysuccessful all‑around player. I've beenmaking a lot of success on different surfaces.
China left a great impression on melast year. You know, that's one of mybiggest achievements in the career, winning a Masters Cup. I'll be very happy to come back there andplay in front of that great crowd.
Q. I think it's going to be a lot different with, you know, 48 or whateverit is or spread around all those grounds. I mean, it's going to be a totally different tournament, you think?
NOVAK DJOKOVIC: It is. It's going to be different. TheMasters Cup is a crown, you know, crown of every achievement, I think. It's the best eight players in the world,participating in that event.
Here you have, youknow, Masters Series event. It's goingto be different, but maybe for the crowd there maybe more interesting to seemore players, more matches.
Q. You're in the same bottom half of Juan Martin Del Potro. First, we know that he gives you a T‑shirt ofBoca Juniors.
NOVAK DJOKOVIC: True.
Q. True?
NOVAK DJOKOVIC: Yes.
Q. And then, on the other hand, how do you see probably match against DelPotro and his chances to win this tournament?
NOVAK DJOKOVIC: I hope the fans of River will not really read what you're writingabout the shirt that he gave me. Noexcess for me in half of Argentina,no?
No, I'm really goodfriends with him. He's a really greatguy. He's one year younger than I, butcertainly stronger. If you look at him, he'sreally big guy and he moves extremely well for his height.
He's been playing fantastic in last oneyear, winning three or four events in a row. It was just great in his age last year.
He's No. 5 of the world for quitesome time, and he's very consistent. Very, very solid from all the baseline, you know, strokes. He loves playing on clay, so if I get to playhim in quarterfinals, will be a big challenge for both of us, I think.
Q. There'sa chance that you play Ferrero in your next match. Are you surprised to see that a former No. 1keeps fighting to get back now he's out of the top 100?
NOVAK DJOKOVIC: Well, you have to give him credit forthat. He was No. 1 in the world, winninga Grand Slam and, you know, playing on a highest level in tennis, and then, youknow, he dropped for some time. Now he'strying to get back his confidence and his game.
He's been playingbetter lately. I mean, you've got togive him credit for that, because the Grand Slam champion, former No. 1,playing, you know, on court 17 and really fighting five sets to, you know, winthe match.
I mean, he's a professional. Sometimes you have to, you know, deal with acenter court and all these big matches, big crowd. And then, on the other hand, you have, to,you know, if you drop, that's tennis. You know, that sport. It will befun to play him.
Posted: 31.05.09 12:02. Post subject: P. KOHLSCHREIBER/N. ..
P. KOHLSCHREIBER/N. Djokovic 6‑4, 6‑4, 6‑4
THE MODERATOR: Questions, please.
Q. Obviously it's an awful disappointment for you. What happened? What are your thoughts now?
NOVAK DJOKOVIC: Well, look, I'm obviously disappointed a lotwith the way I was performing today. More or less that I, you know, lost the match. What is disappointing was that I couldn'tfind the rhythm throughout the whole match.
This is what I wasalways managing to do. You know, that's why I'm in the top of the men's gamefor a while now. But, you know, I wastrying not to be frustrated with a lot of unforced errors. Tried to be positive and just wait for thechances.
He didn't give me a lot of chances. But yet again, I didn't work for thosechances. This is the problem. I played too passive, and he played reallysolid from all the strokes. Socongratulations to him, of course.
He's been ‑‑ he was playing a goodmatch. But again, next year.
Q. Ithink you played him once before at Indian Wells, and you defeated him. Was that the same player you were playingtoday? I mean, he was mixing well hisshots, and he had the upper hand in the rallies. Do you think he played the match of his life?
NOVAK DJOKOVIC: Well, that's a question for him. He's going to answer if he played the matchof his life. Certainly, he played reallywell. You have to give him credit forplaying tactically really smart and really good. Unfortunately, I had no solutions.
Q. Is your sense of frustration perhaps compounded by the fact that you hadsuch a good clay court season? You'veplayed some superb matches in Europe. Does that kind of mount the frustrationyou're feeling at the moment? Coming inhere you were thinking you had the best chance of winning it.
NOVAK DJOKOVIC: Yeah, but again, the good clay court season,very successful clay court season this year, only can give me a lot ofconfidence to try to continue the same run. That's what I felt. First twomatches were going quite well, and then I felt good before this match. Suddenly on the court it was a differentstory.
I can't really explainwhy. Physically I felt good, but it'sjust ‑‑ it's just a bad day at the office, how they say it.
What can you do? This is sport.
Q. Perhapstoo much pressure, that can explain?
NOVAK DJOKOVIC: Well, look, I mean, pressure is there. The pressure is always there. If you're, you know, for a while, third orfourth player in the world, top of the men's tennis for a couple of years, ofcourse you always have expectation and pressure. This is a part of your life.
But I was alwaysdealing with the pressure in some way, quite, you know, quite good, and, youknow, quite consistent and having really good results in all the Grand SlamsI've played, except Wimbledon last year.
You know, as I was saying before the eventstarted, the opening rounds are very dangerous because the players are a bitlower ranked and they have nothing to lose. Philipp is a clay court specialist, and he went out in a five‑set matchand played incredibly well today.
Q. Youhad a good play three days in a row. Doyou think it affected your play today?
NOVAK DJOKOVIC: No, no.
Q. Was his serve extremely difficult to control?
NOVAK DJOKOVIC: Well, it was my movement on the return thatwas difficult to control, to be honest. I wasn't moving toward and just trying, move left, right, back, forth,you know, trying to find the comfort zone. Didn't really work out. My legswere really stuck.
So if you have noexplosivity [sic] and your legs are not dynamic enough on this surface, youhave not a lot of chances if the guy plays such a high level as he playedtoday.
Q. You talked about Wimbledon lastyear. You were in the final in Queen's,and then you lost second round, I guess. This year here you're maybe one of the two top favorites, and then againit's a bad day. How can you compare bothdisappointments and matches?
NOVAK DJOKOVIC: It's a different surface, you know. Different Grand Slams. But suddenly I haven't played in the lastthree Grand Slams the way I wanted, and I don't know...
I will try to changesome things for Wimbledon this year. Last year was really the worst match I'veplayed on that surface. I mean, I lostto Marat who later reached semifinals. Of course, he was playing really well in Wimbledonlast year.
I think I have a quite good game, but,again, I cannot allow myself to have such a bad performance as I hadtoday. I cannot allow myself to be thatdefensive. This is not me. This is not my game.
Q. Inthe third set, you were leading 3‑2. Youseemed to come back. At the end of thefifth game you were looking at the sky with your arms wide open. Were you kind of praying for a miracle foryour shots and game to come back?
NOVAK DJOKOVIC: I couldn't believe I made a forehand winnerafter three sets. (laughter.) That'swhy.
Q. You said you had difficulty moving well. Your feet were stuck. Do you havean explanation for that? Is it more aphysical reason for that, or is it more like you were tight or...
NOVAK DJOKOVIC: Yeah, I didn't find the rhythm. That's all. It was not physically anything. Ithink it was more mentally just to find that zone, but I couldn't.
Q. Nothing that was hurting?
NOVAK DJOKOVIC: No.
Q. Today on the court you looked not to have the energy to fight on everypoint. Are you mentally exhausted afterthe season, middle of the season?
NOVAK DJOKOVIC: Well, look, I've played a lot, so mentallyI'm a little bit exhausted, yes. Butstill, that's not an explanation for my loss today. That's not excuse, for sure.
I mean, it's a GrandSlam. Look, you know, I'm one of thefavorites to get far in the tournament. This cannot happen. Of course,it's all my fault, and I accept the responsibility.
Q. Is there any chance at all that having a new fitness trainer and doingsome new things off the court, are you overtrained? Is there any possibility that just that changehas made a difference?
NOVAK DJOKOVIC: I don't think so. I really don't think so. I'm going to analyze all the things I'vedone, but I don't know.
I mean, to be honest, Ithink it was just me and my head today. I don't want to blame anybody else.
Q. The strength and depth of the men's game now is probably as good as it'sbeen ever. How hard is it to sustainyour level all the time against the quality of players that you're facing weekin and week out?
NOVAK DJOKOVIC: Well, it is, you know. And it's really hard as well to keep up withthe guys, top five guys who are reaching at least quarters or semis of eachevent they play.
It's a really strongcompetition, but that's the way it is. It's a big challenge for all of us, obviously. I've been playing for three, four years onthis level.
I mean, okay, I took this loss quite badlyand I'm disappointed. But, again, I haveto try to focus for continuation of the season, and I hope for some goodresults on the grass courts.
Posted: 07.06.09 18:59. Post subject: Novak Djokovic looki..
Novak Djokovic looking forward to first match He has been soaking up the atmosphere long before the first ball-change. Novak Djokovic has been at the venue of the GERRY WEBER OPEN since last Wednesday and whoever crosses the World Ranking number four’s path always finds him with an open ear and a friendly word. (picture: pmk) Djokovic is not just a protagonist on the Centre Court of the Champions League of his sport, but he is one off it too: He is a charismatic young star who has become one of the most famous figures in the world of tennis at such a young age. “We are delighted with how Novak has presented himself here,” said tournament manager Ralf Weber. “He seems to be really enjoying it at the GERRY WEBER OPEN.”
And Djokovic can vouch for that: “This is an exceptional venue with a great atmosphere,” he said. “I really like to play on grass as it is one of the quickest surfaces on the Tour. Every ball-change, every event happens really quickly on grass.”
Although Djokovic is making his debut at the GERRY WEBER OPEN this year, the Monte Carlo-based right-hander did pay Halle in East Westphalia a visit three years ago. “I trained here for a few days before the tournament so I remember the first-class venue from back then,” revealed Djokovic. The aim is for his debut on the fringes of the Teutoberger Forest to end in victory for the 2008 Australian Open champion – ideally with a triumph over Roger Federer, the grass-court king who has been victorious in the last five editions.
“I obviously know how much Roger likes this tournament and how well he plays here, but I can and want to make life hard for him,” said Djokovic. “A victory for me here – now that would be fantastic.” He perceives differences in their styles of play: “Of course there are some,” he explained. “We both serve differently. Roger likes to vary things a lot whereas I go for strength. But one thing cannot be ignored: Rafael Nadal and Roger have been dominating tennis for five years now and that is impressive.”
The 22-year-old showed what he is capable of on grass with his impressive showing at Wimbledon in 2007. Back then, he had to pull out at the semi-final stage against Rafael Nadal due to injury. Djokovic suffered a lot from an extremely rain-hit Wimbledon as he was forced to play a mammoth programme of games in the latter stages. In 2008, he lost surprisingly in the second round to the unpredictable Marat Safin, which Djokovic recalls as a “disappointment”. However, “On his day, Marat can beat anybody, even Roger and Rafa. And even me,” admitted Djokovic.
All times are GMT
3 Hours. Hits today: 1
You can: smiles yes, images yes, types no, poll no
avatars yes, links on, premoderation off, edit new post yes
очень хорошо пишет язык хороший, в теннисе разбирается и действительно с уважением ко всем. тьфу три раза. не зря что из Питера 
- user online
- user offline