Novak Djoković

[jonathan]

To dobrze, że Djoković trenuje woleje. On chyba musi iść w tym kierunku, bo z głębi kortu przestał być hegemonem i nie wiem, czy może coś tam poprawić. I rzeczywiście od dłuższego czasu widać, że Novak coraz częściej chodzi do siatki. Tyle że jeśli już decyduje się na wypady do przodu, niech poprawi woleja i smecza (mam wrażenie, że to drugie uderzenie za każdym razem powoduje u niego stres) i zrozumie, że topspin jako uderzenie przygotowujące to zazwyczaj błąd, bo daje przeciwnikowi za dużo czasu na reakcję (Serb pozostawia wtedy niewielką przestrzeń, którą Nadal i Murray spokojnie wykorzystują). Zauważyłem też, że Djoković ma przy woleju dziwny, usztywniony uchwyt rakiety. Tak naprawdę nawet jeśli odegra przy siatce jakąś trudną piłkę, to bardziej za sprawą swojego atletyzmu, wygimnastykowania, sprawności i genialnego refleksu niż techniki, czucia i dobrej ręki. Ale myślę, że przy większym zdecydowaniu i pewności siebie Novak może jednak poprawić swoją grę w tej strefie kortu. Choćby i nawet pod okiem Fibaka.

Spoiler:

[ginny]

Novak Djoković: „Fibak ma na mnie duży wpływ”

Obecność Wojciecha Fibaka w sztabie szkoleniowym Novaka Djokovicia u nas w kraju raczej dziwiła. Przede wszystkim dlatego, że były tenisista zwykł sugerować dołączenie go do teamów polskich jako świetny pomysł, a mimo to nikt z Polaków z nim z jakichś przyczyn nie współpracował.
W dodatku już po sprawdzeniu informacji przez nasze media, dziennikarze z czołowych zagranicznych tytułów (m.in. z New York Timesa czy z L’Equipe) na swoich Twitterach wciąż nie dowierzali. Aż przemówił sam zainteresowany – Novak Djoković.
„Świetnie nam się pracowało w ciągu ostatnich sześciu-siedmiu dni w ramach przygotowań do US Open. Mój pierwszy mecz w istocie przebiegł bardzo gładko. Fibak jest bardzo ważną częścią drużyny. Ma na mnie wielki wpływ i doradza mi” – wyjaśnia Serb w rozmowie z tamtejszym popularnym tabloidem, Kurirem. – „Decyzję o zaangażowaniu Wojtka podjęliśmy wspólnie z moim zespołem, nie decyduję o takich rzeczach sam. Chociaż tenis to indywidualny sport, praca w teamie jest bardzo ważna. O wszystkim dyskutujemy. I tak doszliśmy do wniosku, że potrzebujemy dodatkowej pomocy. Wojtek w tym momencie jest odpowiednią osobą. Dołączył do nas na US Open. Zobaczymy, jak będzie się to układało i jak on pasuje do naszej ekipy. Te dwa tygodnie wszystko wyjaśnią. To był dobry zawodnik, zarówno w singlu, jak i w deblu. Ma doświadczenie i pała miłością do tenisa – tego potrzebujemy. Myślę, że on doskonale analizuje mecze, więc skorzystamy z tej umiejętności w turnieju”.
Nathii Gawrońska
(Tekst przetłumaczony przez native speaker’a z Tenis Love; prawa autorskie do tłumaczenia zastrzeżone. Za podsunięcie tematu dziękujemy naszemu czytelnikowi, Panu Kamilowi.)

http://www.tenislove.pl/2013/08/28/nova ... uzy-wplyw/

[jaccol55]

Wywiad po zwycięstwie w 1 rundzie US Open 2013:

Spoiler:

Q. Is starting at night not a bad way to get going in a slam? Does it feel different than starting in the day?

NOVAK DJOKOVIC: It is different. I think the night sessions in New York are quite different from any other tournament because of just the vibe that you feel with the people, the crowd gets involved. There's a lot going on in the changeovers. It's very exciting, always entertaining. It's fun, you know. It's fun to play in front of the crowd. Biggest stadium we have. Looks quite impressive from down there. I think most of my first rounds in the Grand Slam last five, six years here in US Open, I was starting at night. So I had experience before and knew how to play. Berankis was playing his first night session. That's where I was looking for my chance to start pressing from the start, and I was playing on a very high level.

Q. In the third set when you were in control of the match, you were trying a few new things, maybe returns, coming to net off the second serve. Was that part of the plan to try everything?

NOVAK DJOKOVIC: You know, when you are up, you maybe try here and there to hit and come to the net or try something new, but nothing in particular. You don't really want to experiment on the court too much. Because at that stage, you know, you have to play every point like it's a match point. So that kind of mindset was for me from the first to the last point today in the match. I was just very happy with the concentration because I didn't play so well in Montréal and Cincinnati in the warmup tournaments for the US Open. So I had 10 days to really give everything I can on the practice courts. I was very committed and put 100% into my preparations. It's starting to pay off. Of course, the first match was as well as it could be. Now I need to continue on working and stay on this course.

Q. Usually players don't like to share details on their routine. There is this book about your gluten free diet. Can you say why you've decided to share it? What do you think about players that are trying this gluten free diet?

NOVAK DJOKOVIC: Well, now more players are gluten free, I see that. But this particular diet changed my life really in a positive way and affected positively my career and my overall feeling on and off the court. So I particularly wanted to share this kind of food regime and this kind of change that affected my life positively with the people, just present them my own experience. I am not trying to, through the book, influence somebody's life and tell the people how they should eat or live or maybe, you know, treat their food. But I'm just sharing my own experience and hoping that people who are reading it can actually take some valuable, you know, examples and experiences to implement in their own life. I already got few positive comments from random people, which is really nice. I think in the end of the day, you know, from the athletes' perspective, it's really nice that sometimes people follow your example. To hear that somebody reading from my book felt positively, effected a positive change in their life, is something really nice to hear.

Q. In the book you talk about meeting this doctor who introduced you to the diet. You had so many issues before physically. Where do you think you would be at if you didn't follow the diet?

NOVAK DJOKOVIC: I can't say where I would be really. I mean, I believe in life everything happens for a reason. So for a reason I met some interesting and knowledgeable people who helped me to achieve what I need to achieve in life and to become what I became. I met this doctor. Through other people that I was meeting in last few years, I tried to absorb the knowledge that they have, in a way kind of implement that in my own life, in my own philosophy. What is good for me doesn't mean it's necessarily good for somebody else. Everybody is different in this world. But you always try to improve as a person and as a player. I've been always open minded about sports science, about nutrition, about health, about general well being, because that's something that is part of my job also and my life. I want to feel good and I'm always seeking to learn more and more about this.

Q. Andy Murray did not seem happy to have to wait until Wednesday night to play his first match. What do you make of the US Open format of stretching the first round over three days for the men?

NOVAK DJOKOVIC: Well, we have Monday finals. I think that's kind of a compromise that the tournament made with the players. I don't think it's necessary to talk more than that. We know that we are going to have Monday finals next several years. In that particular circumstances, I think it's okay to stretch the three days for first round, even though this is the only Grand Slam that actually has this kind of format. But it's better like that rather than having back to back days. Super Saturday and Sunday final for men's tennis is really difficult. I said a lot of times, I've experienced it, it's not easy. For some reason it's always raining Sunday in New York for a few years.

Q. For more than three years you've reached every major semifinal. Of all your recent accomplishments, what perspective can you share on what that particular accomplishment means to you?

NOVAK DJOKOVIC: Well, my approach to this year's US Open, of course it encourages me the fact that I've done so well in the last five, six years in US Open. Probably next to Australian Open, my most successful Grand Slam. I've been consistently in semifinals, finals three years in a row now. I love playing on these courts, especially the Arthur Ashe. It's a Grand Slam. And Grand Slams always demand the best out of every player. You know, top players are always saying how important it is for them to always perform their best and set their form for Grand Slams, because these are the most important tournaments we have in the sport and this is where you want to win trophies. All the attention of the sport goes directly to these tournaments. This is the last Grand Slam of the year. I have high expectations for myself. There is no difference in my approach this year than last few years. Knowing that I've done so well in past years, had such a good record, gives me enough reason to have this confident and optimistic approach.

Q. Can you talk about working with Wojtek Fibak?

NOVAK DJOKOVIC: Yeah, he joined the team this year for US Open. It's kind of a trial in this tournament to see how it goes, how he's going to fit in the team. We worked very well last six, seven days of the preparations for the Open. And tonight's match went really well. He has an important role in the team. He's consulting myself. My tennis coach has a very good relationship with me. We know each other for many years. He lives in the same place where I live. He's been a very good player. Top 10. He had a great doubles, singles career. Coached Lendl for many years. He's somebody that has huge experience in this sport. He knows a lot of people. He shares a big love and passion for this sport. That's something I'm looking forward to find out more from him. I think he has a great input and a great way of observing the tennis matches. So hopefully, you know, we can work together very well in this tournament.

Q. Why did you bring him on? Was it recent results? Did you need a new pair of eyes?

NOVAK DJOKOVIC: It was a team decision. I never try to make decisions on my own, because even though it's individual sport, it's a team effort in the end that really counts. So we discuss everything that is on our agenda basically. We all agreed that we might need that extra help, you know, and consultation. Wojtek Fibak was the right person for us at that moment. We will see how it will go during these two weeks.

Q. Speaking of your team, could I ask a question about Pierre?

NOVAK DJOKOVIC: About Pierre?

Q. Today Caroline Wozniacki shocked us that Bruno is not non gluten, yet Bruno wants a play date with Pierre. Do you think glutens and non glutens...

NOVAK DJOKOVIC: Do you think the food regime affects their health?

Q. No. Is it okay if they associate? Caroline actually wanted the two to go out for a play date, which is not I'm sure acceptable to you.

NOVAK DJOKOVIC: It is acceptable to have a play date. It is not acceptable that they dine together because they have a different food regimes.

Q. But Pierre's non gluten regime...

NOVAK DJOKOVIC: Pierre is following his daddy's diet, for sure. That's why he's so fit.

Q. Today in Chile Nicolas Massu quit tennis. I wanted to know your thoughts on his career.

NOVAK DJOKOVIC: Okay. I didn't know that. Well, he struggled last few years with injuries and everything. He was a very successful player. He was a top 10 player. I think he achieved something that nobody achieved in history of tennis in terms of Olympic Games, winning singles and doubles gold medal, which was incredible in Athens. I remember it was 2004. Yeah, I remember that time he was playing extremely well. I had a great relationship with him. He's one of the best competitors that I know. Big fighter on the court. He left a great legacy in the sport, in Chilean sport. Especially I think people respect him very much there. I wish him best in his now life after his career.

Q. November, playing him in exhibition match?

NOVAK DJOKOVIC: I'm not sure who I'm playing against. If it's Massu, it's a good occasion to see him and play him. But I'm coming to Chile, yes, in November. Santiago, it's the first time I'll be there, so I'm looking forward to that very much.

http://www.usopen.org/en_US/news/interv ... 87125.html

[Jacques D.]

DJOKOVIC LAMENTS LACK OF COMFORT FOOD IN DIET

Amidst all of Novak Djokovic's accomplishments on the court in the past few years, from winning Wimbledon to assuming the World No. 1 throne, there are still two things lacking in the Serb's life: chocolate and pizza.

The World No. 1 released his first book last week, entitled "Serve to Win: The 14 Day Gluten-Free Plan for Physical and Mental Excellence". In it, the Serb details his discovery of the gluten-free diet that many associate as being the catalyst to his success in recent years. It also includes various recipes and a plan to achieve a state of overall well-being.

Despite his success, Djokovic laments the loss of chocolate in his diet. "Toughest for me was definitely chocolate. My father is addicted to chocolate in a way. Was. Not anymore. He gave it up, too. We used to have at home a lot of sweets. If I have chocolate (now) I have cacao or dark chocolate, a very little bit."

When asked what other foods he misses eating, Djokovic responded, "Maybe pizza. You can have gluten-free pizza, but the regular one is better, I have to admit."

As Djokovic continues on his quest to capture a second US Open title in three years, his now famous gluten-free diet has once again been thrust into the forefront.

"This particular diet changed my life really in a positive way and affected positively my career and my overall feeling on and off the court," Djokovic said. "So I particularly wanted to share this kind of food regime and this kind of change that affected my life positively with the people, just present them my own experience."

Djokovic expressed his desire to help others who were in a similar state as he previously was, clouded by physical and psychological constraints. "I am not trying to, through the book, influence somebody's life and tell the people how they should eat or live or maybe treat their food. I'm just sharing my own experience and hoping that people who are reading it can actually take some valuable examples and experiences to implement in their own life."

"To hear that somebody reading from my book felt positively, there was a positive change in their life, is something really nice to hear," added Djokovic.

Having noticed Djokovic's struggles with breathing issues and sudden instances of mental detachment on the court, Serbian doctor and nutritionist Igor Cetojevic came to the conclusion that he was suffering from a form of gluten intolerance.

"I met this doctor. Through other people that I was meeting in last few years, I tried to absorb the knowledge that they have, in a way kind of implement that in my own life, in my own philosophy. What is good for me doesn't mean it's necessarily good for somebody else. Everybody is different in this world. But you always try to improve as a person and as a player. I've been always open‑minded about sports science, about nutrition, about health, about general well‑being, because that's something that is part of my job also and my life."

http://www.atpworldtour.com/News/Tennis ... story.aspx

[grzes430]

Wywiad po wygranym meczu II rundy US OPEN 2013.

Spoiler:

An interview with: NOVAK DJOKOVIC
Friday, August 30, 2013
PRINT
Q. It looked like the first set was a bit of a struggle. How did you feel out there today physically and in your game?

NOVAK DJOKOVIC: Yeah, it was a struggle. It was different conditions from the first match, and, you know, I knew that he's a dangerous player. If he serves well and high percentage, he can be dangerous player. He's very solid from baseline. I mean, obviously his movement is not as good anymore as it was, so I tried to move him around the court, you know, open the court. You know, kind of that was my tactics. But it was very tough. You know, it was a lot of unforced errors, very windy conditions. You couldn't really read and kind of predict where the ball is going to go, so you have to be very alert. At the start I had difficulty with my footwork. But, you know, as I won a set after that, it was very much, much better.

Q. Question away from tennis. Neven Markovic, your close friend, is playing football in Switzerland, second league.

NOVAK DJOKOVIC: That's interesting that you ask me about him.

Q. Can you talk a little bit about your friendship and about your common story.

NOVAK DJOKOVIC: Thank God. This is first time I'm going to talk about him. He's one of my best friends. He's a great guy. We know each other since very early beginnings in our childhood. He came to Belgrade from I think his native city south of Serbia, and then we lived basically door to door for many years. We were first neighbors, and that's how we know each other. Since then we developed this friendship. He's a football player ever since. He's trying to make a breakthrough. He's very powerful guy. Now he's playing for Geneva. He invited me to come, so I hope I will find the time to see him. He's so far doing well. I know he's playing in first 11, it's a second league, but he has to start somewhere. I wish him best.

Q. You mentioned the tricky conditions. Is it just the wind, do you mean, or was there something else that bothered you?

NOVAK DJOKOVIC: Well, totally different from night session, obviously. It's less wind and, you know, 1:00 in the afternoon it was quite hot on the court. But, again, it was a lot of wind, wind that is not consistent. It changes direction all the time. So as I said, you have to be alert. And if you don't, you know, go through the ball, if you're not in a right balance, of course it's not always positive to arrive in right balance. But you need to have this adjustment, footwork, steps, in order to get on the ball. I didn't have that in the first set. I was still trying to find my way from baseline, and the other side he was serving well. I had my chances though first set earlier to break, but, you know, didn't capitalize. After I played a good tiebreak, you know, and then everything kind of settled. I started to serve better, I. Started to step into the court, which is important, you know. I need to start the way I started in the first match, but my game is getting there. You know, I feel that it was a big test for me today. It was a challenge, and I needed to overcome it. I'm glad I'm through in three.

Q. A little follow up on the wind. I mean, you prepare for various things in your training. Is there any way you can practice or prepare for dealing with the wind?

NOVAK DJOKOVIC: Not to full extent, but you can try. I mean, you can kind of practice in the hour that you know when you're going to play, but it's tough, because, you know, scheduling usually comes out the day before around late afternoon hours. But you try to practice, you know, around 12:00, 1:00. So that was usually my time of practice, exactly same time I played the match today. But still it's different. Any other court is different, playing different from center court itself, which is, you know, massive, 23,000 seats, and it's quite open. So there is a lot going on there.

Q. Away from tennis, I would assume your Uniqlo deal lets you walk into any store and order anything you want.

NOVAK DJOKOVIC: Yeah, I'm wearing Uniqlo, and they are basically a casual wear brand. Biggest one in Asia and expanding around the world. They are quite young clothing brand. They have this great vision and mission to be the best at what they do, so I thought it was a great match for, you know, for me. About a year and a half ago we signed a partnership that hopefully can last for long time. I'm glad. They have been partnering only with Kei Nishikori before and me, and slowly they are getting into sports. In the golf also with Adam Scott who won grand slam. So more and more success. Yeah, I do have their clothes. I don't know what -- you want me to tell you what I usually wear?

Q. Yeah.


NOVAK DJOKOVIC: I will not tell you what I sleep in, but I am wearing jeans and shirt. But I'm mostly in my sport clothes, definitely, because that's my, you know, usual daily wear.

Q. Now that you have adopt this had gluten free diet for a few years, what are some of your favorite dishes and what are some of the dishes you miss the most?

NOVAK DJOKOVIC: My favorite dish is pasta. All my life it has been. Only few years ago I changed to gluten free pasta. Tastes as good, even better, than the regular one for me. I love having that. A lot of vegetables. You know, that's it more or less -- you know, the gluten free diet is not what maybe people think it is. You know, it's not something that you can't find anywhere. Having regular fish with vegetables or potatoes, that's a gluten free dish, also. I do tend to have those kind of dishes on a daily basis, and I enjoy it.

Q. Are there foods you miss having?

NOVAK DJOKOVIC: Maybe pizza. You can have gluten free pizza, but the regular one is better, I have to admit (Laughter).

Q. I tried your diet for a couple of days. I found it to be challenging.

NOVAK DJOKOVIC: Which diet?

Q. Your diet. I did the whole thing from the book.

NOVAK DJOKOVIC: You tried it? And? You don't seem very happy (Laughter).

Q. You can read all about it. Well, my question is, you know, a lot of people talk about gluten, you also don't eat dairy, so not much with caffeine. Were you a big caffeine drinker before that?

NOVAK DJOKOVIC: Toughest for me was definitely chocolate. My father is addicted to chocolate in a way. Was. Not anymore. He gave it up, too. We used to have at home a lot of sweets, as I think everyone on this planet loves sweets. I had to, you know, have to decrease that and then kind of give it up. Especially during the events I don't have -- I don't have milk chocolate. If you have chocolate I have cacao or dark chocolate, a very a little bit. That was tough for me at the beginning. First few months, you know, I felt that need for sugar instantly after the meal, if you know what I mean. I would just take teas now and kind of try to satisfy my needs. But it wasn't as easy, you know. What do you find challenging now?

Q. I found the honey quite challenging, but maybe it's my palate.

NOVAK DJOKOVIC: Honey in the morning? You don't like it? No? You can take any honey. Honey is quite sweet, no?

Q. There was actually a new story the other day that UK officials are investigating whether there is fraud with exports of manuka honey out of New Zealand.

NOVAK DJOKOVIC: Fraud? I don't know anything about it. I just like their product. It's great. Manuka honey is something I try to have. In my country I have the local honeys that are homemade, you know, by farmers. I mean, any honey, it's like there is these sugars that have high glycogen level, and there are the sugars that have low glycogen level. Generally the more healthier ones are with lower glycogen level, which are honey, dry fruits, fruits, stuff like that. And the other ones are, you would assume chocolate, ice cream, all the beautiful things this world has to offer (Laughter).

Q. At some point today you looked like maybe you had breathing issues or something. Was it the weather or anything else?

NOVAK DJOKOVIC: Well, you know, as I said, I found it, you know, kind of tough. I had to work twice as hard than usual, because at the start I wasn't finding my rhythm. So I was kind of forcing my strokes and was taking a lot of energy out of me. But, you know, as I said, it was very important to get the first set under my belt, and then after that I felt much better.

http://www.usopen.org/en_US/news/interv ... 34699.html

[grzes430]

Wywiad po wygranym meczu III rundy US OPEN 2013.

Spoiler:

An interview with: NOVAK DJOKOVIC
Sunday, September 1, 2013

PRINT
Q. What goes through your mind during a match like that?

NOVAK DJOKOVIC: Just to do my job, win in straight sets, and spend as less time on court as possible. Oh, when I'm doing this? I think most of the players most of the time when they come in the conference room they don't even notice these great people here who are working very hard to catch every word that I am saying. And as I am speaking, he was typing exactly what I am saying. Wow, wow, wow, wow.

Q. Speaking of news conferences, I heard you hired someone to help you manage your distractions, how to handle news conferences. Are these the tips that you are receiving?

NOVAK DJOKOVIC: I'm sorry?

Q. I heard you hired Ivan Lendl's old coach to help you with your news conferences.

NOVAK DJOKOVIC: My conferences? No. He's more into tennis court stuff. Not really news and press conferences. He is a consultant, you know, to me and to my coach also. He's a part of our team here for US Open for the first time. We're kind of trying it out and seeing how it goes so far. It goes really well. He adjusted to our team. He's been in tennis for over 30 years, as a player, as a coach, as somebody that has a big knowledge and experience in this sport.

Q. It seems you're trying to go more and more to the net. What is the most challenging for you when it comes to the net game?

NOVAK DJOKOVIC: To hit a volley winner (smiling). I am not obviously as comfortable on the net as I am on the baseline, but I've been working on it. It's part of my game that I still need to improve. I'm aware of that. It makes me happy that I have room for improvement, and I keep on spending hours and hours on the court and working on variety in my game. And serve, especially that part of my game. I want to try and get as many free points on the serve as possible.

Q. You're the big brother in a family full of tennis players. What advice do you share with your brothers as they're coming up through the system?

NOVAK DJOKOVIC: It's more than one, but what I try to do with them is to allow them to develop kind of the future that they want for themselves, you know. Because, yes, they are doing the same sport that I'm doing and I can help them a lot. I've been obviously over the years spending a lot of time with them on the court, trying to speak with them, give them necessary kind of advices for the right directions in the life. But as I said, you know, I allow them to do a lot of things by themselves, because it's very important that they independently select what is good, what is bad for them. I think they know what's best for them out of anybody in their surroundings. As an older brother, you know, they have all the facilities because I'm successful and we can afford a great team for them also. But it's a lot of pressure and a lot of expectations because they are my younger brothers. So wherever they go, they have this in the back of their mind. Subconsciously it's a lot of pressure that they go through. I hope they can play Grand Slams also one day. We can play all together.

Q. Did you watch Lleyton Hewitt against Del Potro the other day? What do you think about the comeback he is making?

NOVAK DJOKOVIC: It was fantastic match. I watched in sequences. I watched I think the whole last set, and Lleyton seemed very fit and very determined to win. It's no surprise because he's a great competitor. You can always expect him to give his best and play his best actually at this stage of his life, after going through a lot of injuries, when he's playing in center courts of Grand Slams. That's even what he said on the post match interview on the court. He said, This is what I live for. This is what I work for. He played that way.

Q. Ana Ivanovic had some great things to say about you, playing hide and seek with you as a kid. When there were bombings, if there was a match you were allowed to finish it, but you couldn't start a new one. Could you bring to life what you wrote in the book when the bombs were actually falling, your dad was calling out to you, you were wondering where your brother was? What was going through your mind at that time?

NOVAK DJOKOVIC: Well, those particular times that me and my fellow countrymen and colleagues from Serbia have been through is definitely, you know, a period of life that we don't wish anybody to experience. The war is the worst thing in life for humanity. Nobody really wins. But it made us stronger, you know, this two and a half months. We looked at it on the bright side. We were kids. We were only 12 years old. So we thought, Okay, now we're not obliged to go to school, we can play more tennis. So we spent the whole day basically every day for two months on the tennis courts with the planes flying over our heads. We really didn't mind. After a week or two of the bombings, we just kind of moved on with our lives. We did everything we could and what we wanted. We just let the life decide for us. It was not in our control. We were helpless basically. Luckily we all survived, and we take this kind of experience and this particular situation from our past as a great lesson in the life and something that allowed us to be stronger mentally and to actually understand what it is to basically have nothing, you know, start from zero, from scratch, and arrive to where we are. I think these kind of particular experiences helped us appreciate all the life values and everything that has been given to us by the life much more than we would probably if we didn't have these experiences.

Q. If I could, when you do see in the headlines possible air strikes and so forth, are you cautionary about that? Do you say, Oh, no? Any thoughts of what's going on now?

NOVAK DJOKOVIC: I'm totally against any kind of weapon, any kind of air strike, missile attack. I'm totally against anything that is destructive. Because I had this personal experience, I know it cannot bring any good to anybody.

Q. You're a player who can play both offense and defense. Which comes more naturally to you?

NOVAK DJOKOVIC: Well, you try to keep yourself in a comfort zone somewhere where you feel most confident on the court. My game is baseline to baseline. I like also stepping in and taking the ball early. I also sometimes like defending. So it's important to have nowadays in this modern tennis both defense and offense. What I find essential for success in today's tennis is the transition from defense to offense. So I think Nadal, Murray, myself, a few other players, they have this great transition. Federer, of course, with the variety. The game has evolved so much. You need to be complete player in order to be at the top.

Q. During the match you have Fibak. You said he wanted you to stay focused the rest of the tournament. How do you plan to do that, keep the events and people at bay?

NOVAK DJOKOVIC: I stay at New Jersey for the US Open the last five years at a friend's house, a nice place. We have our calm and quiet time there. When we want to go to the city for dinner, we do. But I think it's a right balance really. On my day off sometimes I come to practice here. Sometimes I stay there, which helps me to recharge my batteries, you know, recover and get ready for what's expecting me. We've been trying to emphasize the focus definitely on every single point. I think so far I've done pretty well.

Q. Can you remember when you were younger, you had an idol or somebody you looked up to? And once you became a professional and played against that player, what was that like? Does one thing come to mind?

NOVAK DJOKOVIC: Well, I never played with Pete Sampras. That was my wish, because he was my idol when I was growing up in tennis. Also Andre Agassi. I got to play Andre also in an exhibition match on grass before Wimbledon a few years ago. Safin, for example. He was one of the players that I liked watching. Then when I got to play him, I think it was the first Grand Slam match for me in Australian Open when I qualified. I got three games in three sets, but still it was quite a nice experience for me. I know how it feels. Everybody was there at the very beginnings when you're making transition from junior tennis to ATP. You know, you're turning from a boy to man. You have to be patient and understand that it's all the process of learning and understanding what you need to do. You can't basically, you know, come at the first or second match of the Grand Slams and start winning against top players. It's a very difficult task. It's all learning process and everybody goes through it.

http://www.usopen.org/en_US/news/interv ... 14522.html

[grzes430]

Wywiad po wygranym meczu IV rundy US OPEN 2013.

Spoiler:

An interview with: NOVAK DJOKOVIC
Tuesday, September 3, 2013

PRINT
Q. When is the last time you played that great?

NOVAK DJOKOVIC: Well, I had some great matches in the past that I can compare with this one today, but, you know, definitely today, second and third set have been, you know, some of the best tennis that I've played on Arthur Ashe in my career. It all comes at a great time for me. It was something I was wishing to be more aggressive as the tournament progresses and to be able to stay committed to play every point, to win every point, regardless of what's the score. So I'm very happy with my mental state, how I feel physically, and the way I played. You know, it's definitely coming at the best possible time.

Q. You played against Sousa, Granollers, and now Youzhny. Do you think you have a real advantage physically?

NOVAK DJOKOVIC: Well, probably pays its toll, the fact they have played five setters and they are coming in tired in the matches. But I really don't try to pay attention on my opponents during the matches. I have this very determined, you know, vision of what I need to do on the court. My goal is to win the matches whoever I play against.

Q. On court you said you played flawless after 3-all in the first set. Is that as good as you can play, those last two sets? Can you play better?

NOVAK DJOKOVIC: Well, I haven't dropped a game from that moment, so I think the result says how well I played (smiling). It's a great joy, you know. It's a fantastic feeling when you're playing this well. You love spending time on the court and experiencing such great zone where you are at that moment.

Q. You seemed especially sharp at the net today. Is that something you have been working on at all, bringing a little bit of that variety perhaps into your game?

NOVAK DJOKOVIC: Yes, I have worked a lot. I know I can defend well and I have a good transition, but also it's obvious that my game is based on a baseline. I have many opportunities during the match to come to the net and finish out the point earlier. That's, well, one of the things on the practice agenda that we have with our team. We are working on the serve, getting more precise, efficient, and, you know, using the opportunities to just make a winner and come to the net. It worked really well today.

Q. Your opponent was getting almost a Bronx cheer. Have you ever been on the short end of a 6-0, 6-0, at any time in your pro career?

NOVAK DJOKOVIC: Well, I can't remember the last time, but I remember I lost 6-0 against Federer last year in the finals of Cincinnati the first set. It's I think the last time I have lost a set without winning a game. Yeah, it's not a good feeling, for sure. But, you know, it's better when you're on the opposite side of the net winning 6-0.

Q. Along those lines, can you remember the last time that you felt you were really in the zone in a match and playing flawlessly?

NOVAK DJOKOVIC: Yes. As I said, I have had matches, and I even had the match, for example, against Gasquet in quarters of Montreal; I won 1 and 2 playing great. You have those kind of matches that come and go, unfortunately, because the confidence you have to work for the confidence. You have to be always, you know, concentrated 100 percent in order to get yourself to that zone, you know, to that state of mind where everything works. You can lose a match easier than you really get to that point, so that's why it's very demanding.

Q. You were, let's say, a skinny guy who grew up by a pizza parlor in the Serbian mountains.

NOVAK DJOKOVIC: Nice description. Very nice. Thank you (smiling). You want to do my biography?

Q. I will send you a copy.

NOVAK DJOKOVIC: Okay.

Q. But then you end up at the UN. What was that like? What was the coolest part of that?

NOVAK DJOKOVIC: Well, I think the invitation, first of all, was the coolest part. Just having this privilege of speaking in the name of global family of athletes on such a historical day. Historical day because it's in United Nations, and we all know how United Nations, it's important as an organization. It's so important for the whole world. You have over 120 member states deciding about biggest issues in, you know, the world. So being out there was definitely a special feeling that I didn't experience before. You had this kind of sensation that you are part of something that is very big, first of all. So just that experience, you know, brought me chills. Of course being in the position to speak, as I said, in the name of all athletes and on the day where United Nations proclaimed as international day for the national day of sport for development and peace. It's going to be on 6th of April. It's quite an honor. President of general assembly is a Serbian person, so that was even bigger for our country. You know, two Serbian people speaking in such a historical day, it's something I will definitely never forget.

Q. Your message is that sports can be a role model?

NOVAK DJOKOVIC: Absolutely. The sports, you know, unites people. Sports are sending always a good message. You know, it's one of those things in life where it allows kids to it allows kids to grow, to socialize, to develop their skills, their potential, and to develop their bodies, to give them the right directions in their life about healthy lifestyles and well being. Sports are a fantastic way for, you know, for a kid to live the beginning of his life. I was really glad to be in the position to speak in front of all the athletes.

Q. If I could ask you a question about Rafa. You played him not so long ago on hard courts. It appears he's not serving as hard as he used to. I'm wondering if you agree with that, and what he's doing effectively with his serve versus in the past, because he's holding quite regularly?

NOVAK DJOKOVIC: Well, he might not serve as hard as he did probably when he won the US Open in 2010. I think that was the hardest he served ever in his career on hard courts, actually. But now he's using the serve very efficiently. You know, he's going for precision. He knows that he can back it up. He has one of the best second shots in the game. That's why he doesn't feel as much maybe pressure and that's why he's more relaxed and he can, you know, have a lot of variety. He's a lefty, which is advantage because he doesn't get to play many lefties. Well, majority of the players are righties, and he can have this great slice and open up the court. So, I mean, he's been playing well, no question about it. He's confident, and, you know, he's very dangerous opponent on any surface.

Q. You had some amazing fights against Federer here and other tournaments. What do you think when you see him go down against Robredo on hard court here?

NOVAK DJOKOVIC: I haven't watched the match, but, you know, I heard Tommy played fantastic tennis. All the credit to him. Of course, Roger did not play close to his maximum level, and, you know, so it's always a question. Like, why is he not playing? People need to give him a break a little bit, because I think it's normal to expect that he's not moving as well as he did when he was No. 1 and he was so dominant. He's probably focusing himself to, you know, set up his form on the biggest tournaments and Grand Slams. For me, he's still playing really well, and he definitely, with his tennis, deserves to be one of the top 5 players in the world, no question about it. How long he's going to play, that's a question for him. That's the only thing that probably you can ask him. But, you know, he's what, 31, 32 years old? Tommy Haas is 35, 36 and close to top 10 of the world. So I think people are seeing Roger always being a top 3, top 2 guy and competing for Grand Slam titles. That's not happening, and all of a sudden it's a huge surprise.

Q. You had a great game, especially after the first set, but I was wondering if there was anything you thought that you weren't happy with that you might focus on for your next match.

NOVAK DJOKOVIC: Well, it was very little today. I think only the first few games. But, you know, as the match progressed I have played incredibly well and at a very high level. As I said, it's all coming together for me right now. I'm aware of the fact that as the tournament goes on I'm going to have bigger challenges, better quality players, higher ranked players, but I'm ready for that challenge. I look forward to it.

Q. Today the nominations came out for Davis Cup. Could you talk briefly about the semifinal, and also that your team will be without Viktor and that although you have a home tie, their team is mostly Serbian?

NOVAK DJOKOVIC: (Laughter). Let's not get into that subject, because somebody can misunderstand what I'm saying. But, yes, they all have most of them some kind of connection to our country. But first time I think they are in semifinals of Davis Cup, so they're coming in with their strongest squad and maybe winning against big teams here, but they are playing first time away. It's quite different, because they will have to adjust to different conditions, and home advantage in Davis Cup means a lot. We haven't played at home for I think two years, so I think Belgrade and Serbia are really willing to see tennis, you know, played on a high level, and again in the arena where we won that big title in 2010. So, you know, being a part of Davis Cup team is definitely something special that also gave me a lot of confidence in my career, individual career, and so I love playing Davis Cup even though I got hurt several times. But it takes away something from you energy wise. Mentally, physically, emotionally, you're so involved. But in the other hand, it also gives you energy, because this is the only official team competition we have in sport. So, yeah, unfortunately we don't have Viktor, which he is in a very particular situation. Unfortunately he will not be able to play. Hopefully he can be there to be with us to support us and we can get it to another final.

http://www.usopen.org/en_US/news/interv ... 35697.html

[grzes430]

US OPEN 2013
EVERYTHING “COMING TOGETHER” FOR DJOKOVIC
New York, U.S.A.

Novak Djokovic is eyeing his seventh consecutive US Open semi-final berth.

Spoiler:

US OPEN 2013
EVERYTHING “COMING TOGETHER” FOR DJOKOVIC
New York, U.S.A.

Novak Djokovic is eyeing his seventh consecutive US Open semi-final berth.
Novak Djokovic has been in the zone at the US Open and the Serb is the first to admit that his hot streak is the result of his work with new coaching consultant Wojtek Fibak. Djokovic recently hired the former Top 10 player and their partnership has been paying dividends thus far.

Djokovic revealed that being more aggressive with his net game has been a priority. “I have many opportunities during the match to come to the net and finish out the point earlier. That’s one of the things on the practice agenda that we have with our team. We are working on the serve, getting more precise, efficient, and using the opportunities to just make a winner and come to the net.

“You have to be always concentrated 100 per cent to that state of mind where everything works. You can lose a match easier than you really get to that point, so that's why it's very demanding.”

The World No. 1 has relinquished five games or less in three of his four matches and is on a collision course for a rematch with defending champion Andy Murray in the semi-finals.

"I have this very determined vision of what I need to do on the court," Djokovic said. "My goal is to win the matches whoever I play against."

Despite his success in New York, Djokovic is cognisant that the competition will be getting stiffer as the tournament progresses and he is ready. “It's all coming together for me right now,” the Belgrade native added. “I'm aware of the fact that as the tournament goes on I'm going to have bigger challenges, better quality players, higher ranked players, but I'm ready for that challenge. I look forward to it.”

Djokovic addressed one of those challenges: facing rival Rafael Nadal. “He's using the serve very efficiently. He's going for precision. He knows that he can back it up. He has one of the best second shots in the game. He's been playing well, no question about it. He's confident and a very dangerous opponent on any surface.”

Djokovic will next face two-time US Open semi-finalist Mikhail Youzhny in Thursday’s quarter-finals.

http://www.atpworldtour.com/News/Tennis ... ction.aspx

[DUN I LOVE]

Nole osiągnął w Nowym Jorku swój 18. wielkoszlemowy ćwierćfinał z rzędu. Jutro zagra o 14 z kolei połówkę.

Najwięcej ćwiartek WS z rzędu:
Roger Federer - 36
Jimmy Connors - 27
Novak Djoković - 18
Ivan Lendl - 14
Bjorn Borg - 12

[Saboteur]

Easy to overlook Novak Djokovic

NEW YORK -- Novak Djokovic has the advantage of being a top seed at the US Open who is inexplicably under the radar. It may have to do with the interest in defending champion Andy Murray, seeded third this year, or the anticipation of a potential quarterfinal between two old favorites, No. 7 Roger Federer and surging No. 2 Rafael Nadal.

Although he isn't making headlines, don't think that Djokovic isn't expecting to be in the mix for the title.

"I love playing on these courts, especially Arthur Ashe," Djokovic said. "It's a Grand Slam. And Grand Slams always demand the best out of every player. You know, top players are always saying how important it is for them to always perform their best and set their form for Grand Slams, because these are the most important tournaments we have in the sport, and this is where you want to win trophies."

Djokovic capably arrives at his fourth-round berth without having dropped a set, and doubly rested from staying with a friend in New Jersey and away from the frenetic energy of Manhattan.

On Tuesday, Djokovic will take on unseeded Spaniard Marcel Granollers, who has played three straight five-set matches to reach the fourth round. On Sunday, Granollers took out the last remaining American man in the draw, Tim Smyczek, 6-4, 4-6, 0-6, 6-3, 7-5.

Djokovic, who said he wants to "spend as less time on court as possible," has made quick work of his opponents. The top seed has dispatched Ricardas Berankis, Benjamin Becker and Joao Sousa in three sets, needing only one tiebreaker against Becker.

Given the resurgence of Nadal and the emergence of Murray, it's easy to overlook just how consistent the 26-year-old Djokovic has been in the Grand Slam events. You would have to go back to the 2010 French Open to find a major where he didn't reach a semifinal. Since then, he has won three Australian Opens, the 2011 Wimbledon and US Open.

"What I find essential for success in today's tennis is the transition from defense to offense," Djokovic said. "So I think Nadal, Murray, myself, a few other players, they have this great transition. Federer, of course, with the variety. The game has evolved so much. You need to be complete player in order to be at the top."

Does Granollers have that kind of game? At 27, he is 43rd in the world and has won four singles titles on the ATP Tour, three of those on clay. He's found more success over the years as a doubles player.

Djokovic has the edge in experience, and on the hard court surface. If he wins, he will be through to the quarterfinals, without much US Open fanfare.

"This is the last Grand Slam of the year," Djokovic said. "I have high expectations for myself."

http://espn.go.com/tennis/usopen13/stor ... world-no-1

[grzes430]

Wywiad po wygranym meczu ćwierćfinałowym US OPEN 2013.

Spoiler:

An interview with: NOVAK DJOKOVIC
Thursday, September 5, 2013

PRINT
Q. First of all, you sustained your first set loss of the tournament. You come back with 6-0. What does that speak to your ability to kind of bring your game to the next level, if you will?

NOVAK DJOKOVIC: Well, it was never going to be an easy match against Mikhail. Quarterfinals of a Grand Slam, and I was aware of his qualities and ability to come back to the match. So, you know, after I lost third set I definitely tried to regroup and, you know, focus on every point individually and start playing the same game that I had in first two sets. You know, it suddenly changed. For some reason I allowed him to come back into the match, started to push the ball, being more passive, and allowing him to step into the court, come to the net. He was playing well, no question about it. He was not making any mistakes. I started making a lot of unforced errors, and the match turned around. You know, it was important to get the early break in the fourth. I have done that, and after, you know, just kind of really felt a big relief on the court and just went for my shots and played great.

Q. To be at this stage of the tournament, talk about your level of confidence.

NOVAK DJOKOVIC: Level of confidence is right at the top, you know, very close, because I have been playing most of my matches here very aggressive, very dominantly. I have been very satisfied with my performances overall in the whole tournament so far. And even tonight, you know, even though I dropped a set, I feel I was in control of the whole set. I played great. And to finish off the match with 6-0 win against Youzhny, it's definitely encouraging for me for the next challenge.

Q. Was there something special in your mindset? You seemed pumped up as the first set went on and really wanted to make a point or something.

NOVAK DJOKOVIC: Well, you know, I know that Mikhail is also the kind of player that feeds off the energy of the crowd and he loves to he pumps himself up. So I wanted to make sure he knows that I'm there to play and win every point. You know, of course I'm extra motivated as the tournament goes on. It's quarterfinals, now it's semifinals, and I want to win. That's why I'm here. I try to enjoy every moment spent on the court, but win all the matches.

Q. Your match against Stan in Melbourne was such an epic, obviously. Can you give us your recollections about that night, especially in terms of just the standard of tennis.

NOVAK DJOKOVIC: Well, it's definitely one of the most exciting matches I have played in my life on this surface, against Stan, that played on a very, very high level. You know, in the past we all knew that he has the quality to play that well, but not in a consistent basis. And now he worked on his I think movement a lot, and, you know, some variety of his shots in the game. He's a very complete player. He can play equally well on any surface. He had one of the best seasons I think in his life. Today he won straight sets against defending champion on Arthur Ashe. That was quite impressive. I'm sure he's very confident and he has nothing to lose now. He's going to go for the win.

Q. You have often spoken of your love for the electricity on Ashe for a night match, but are there times when the crowd is rooting for an opponent to come back against you and extend the match that it can be annoying of this passion?

NOVAK DJOKOVIC: Well, look, depends how you look at it. I mean, from one side there are people who want a longer match, which I understand, and support your opponent. There are people who support you. I try to focus on my own supporters in the box, and of course I try to do my job, to win the match. But it is something special, really. The experience of the night session on Arthur Ashe is like no other really tournament, you know. It offers this electrical kind of atmosphere that carries also the players, you know, and also makes them play their best and enjoy every moment.

Q. Andy said after his loss that he thought the efforts of winning Wimbledon had taken an emotional toll. Can you empathize with that, and has that ever happened to you after any of your Grand Slams?

NOVAK DJOKOVIC: Well, for sure it's never easy, after you win a Grand Slam, to motivate yourself again to play smaller tournaments and then to prepare yourself again to be mentally, physically, emotionally 100 percent committed to another Grand Slam that is basically just a month and a half after his biggest win in his career, which is Wimbledon. So I have been in this particular situation. I know how it feels. But this is tennis, you know. You definitely learn always something new every single year, every single season, and you grow as a person and as a player. That kind of a mindset, you know, to always try to get better on the court, off the court, helped me to understand what I need to do, you know, in order to stay No. 1, in order to always try to win the Grand Slam titles. Because it's a huge competition. All the top players are very consistent. In order to, you know, be in the mix for No. 1 of the world or contender for a major title, you have to be giving everything that you have, basically. But it doesn't only depend from you. It depends from the people around you. They have to make that sacrifice in order to allow you to achieve your dreams, which is a blessing for us, you know, to be able to have these kind of people around.

Q. Can you share some thoughts on Richard Gasquet being in a semifinal in a major against Rafael Nadal?

NOVAK DJOKOVIC: It's a great success for him. He hasn't been in the semis of a majors for a long time. I think it was only once in Wimbledon that he played. So I'm sure that he's enjoying this achievement. Now he has nothing to lose against Rafa. He knows probably Rafa is a favorite, but, you know, it's hard court and he's been playing well. He's been winning some long matches. He had two days to rest, and it's going to be interesting. Richard was always one of the most talented players that played the game and one of the most beautiful and also most efficient backhands that we have seen. But, you know, it's a best of five, and we'll see what happens there.

Q. You have a lot of responsibility being No. 1 and trying to win a slam, and still you're going to host you know, your second year you're going to have the dinner on Tuesday night, September 10. How close is that project to your heart, to your foundation?

NOVAK DJOKOVIC: Well, it's very close to me. I try during the tournament not to think about that.

Q. Sorry to...

NOVAK DJOKOVIC: No, no, no, no, problem. Thanks for bringing that up. It's nice from you. Obviously my girlfriend is directly involved in the organization. And also the people that we have in foundation, they're doing a great job. We're getting more people on board. We are growing as a small foundation. You know, we had first fundraiser last year after US Open, so we will have another one. We had one after Wimbledon and we're going to have another one here after finals. We look forward to that. It's beautiful to be able to have 300 people in one place who are, you know, influential people who are also people with good hearts and try to get as much money raised as possible in order to help education for kids in Serbia. That's something that our foundation is doing in last few years.

Q. Going back to your match, after the third set, after losing the third set and you were down 4-1, what specifically did you change in your play to take back control and win the fourth set 6-0?

NOVAK DJOKOVIC: Well, as I said before, I start pushing the ball a little bit and wasn't as, you know, maybe confident to take a step forward and go for the shots. That caused some unforced errors and allowed him to come to the court and be more, you know, aggressive. That's why, you know, it resulted with a third set loss. I just went back to the game that I had from the start of the match, and I played a fantastic set. I mean, overall everything was working. I was aggressive. I was serving well. Just the way I actually should play.

Q. You have had such nice words for Stan in here. I know you speak French much better now. Is it possible to have a few words for Stan in French?

NOVAK DJOKOVIC: We will do it alone there, because I don't want to embarrass myself (laughter). Sorry about that.

Q. Just wondering, have you gotten a chance since January to watch the match back with Stan on YouTube or video or anything?

NOVAK DJOKOVIC: Sure. I will try to analyze that game. But it's quite different. It's the beginning of the year. But still, I mean, not just myself, but I have a big team of people around me that will definitely do the analysis and preparation, you know, tactical preparation for my next opponent. I'm not going to watch the whole match that I had with Stan because it's going to take me half a day to stay next to the computer.

Q. Do you ever watch not just for tactical purposes...

NOVAK DJOKOVIC: Yeah, of course. YouTube is great thing. It helps to remind yourself, you know, some good moments.

http://www.usopen.org/en_US/news/interv ... 49760.html

[grzes430]

Wywiad po wygranym półfinale US OPEN 2013.

Spoiler:

An interview with: NOVAK DJOKOVIC
Saturday, September 7, 2013

PRINT
Q. Third game of the fifth set obviously started turning into its own little thing. How did you come back from that after such a long game?

NOVAK DJOKOVIC: Well, first of all, I think, as I said on the court, Wawrinka was a better player for most of the better part of the match because he was aggressive and played better tennis. Other hand, me, I just tried to hang on and fight and be mentally tough and believe all the way through I can actually win. And I sincerely believed that as the match progresses and longer it goes, I felt I have maybe that physical edge over him, and that I also, being in particularly these kind of matches and situations, playing on a big stage in semifinals, maybe that experience could, you know, give me a little bit more of confidence on the court mentally, also. Even though I was quite nervous at the start of the match and we played five sets I still felt that I was there, you know, and that I was fighting. Credit to him for playing really well. We had some great exchanges, you know, in swirly conditions. Definitely not easy to play because you had to always adjust to the where the wind goes and make a lot of footsteps. In the end of the day, I managed to stay tough and play well when I needed to. That's something that definitely encourages me before the final.

Q. Stan said he found you were extremely nervous today. He said maybe because of his game you couldn't find a game plan. Was it the maybe reason, especially at the start of the match?

NOVAK DJOKOVIC: Well, yes. I was nervous because I mean, first of all, it's normal to be nervous, excited, whatever you want to call it, you know. There is a lot of sensations that go through your mind, through your body, because it's semifinals of Grand Slam. Even though I have been in this particular situation for many times in my career, I still feel the big excitement before the match, and I knew that he was playing well. He had a tremendous performance against Murray. I knew that he's gonna come out with big backhands and be aggressive, so, you know, I tried to be close to the line. But I wasn't managing to find my rhythm. That's what frustrated me. I wasn't hitting the ball well. A lot of unforced errors. But it was one of those days, you know, where even if you don't feel well on the court you have to be tough and believe that you can win. And I have done so.

Q. The warning for coaching seemed to take you by surprise. Did the umpire explain the reason?

NOVAK DJOKOVIC: Yeah, I mean, in that particular moment I thought that maybe it wasn't fair to give me a warning at that particular moment because I wasn't communicating with my box. But there were a few times that, you know, I was looking to my box and, you know, my coach was trying to help out. So I have o complaints about the warning. I think it's fair, in general, you know, and I had to take it.

Q. You have gotten through this tournament thus far with relative ease. In hindsight, perhaps is it not such a bad thing to have had a real test like Stan gave you today going into a final.

NOVAK DJOKOVIC: Absolutely. I knew I'm going to be tested more and more as the tournament goes on. Of course it's semifinals against a player who is playing maybe the best season of his life and came off winning in straight sets against defending champion. So he had nothing to lose. It was first time he was in semifinals of a Grand Slam. It was always going to be tough for me and him. I knew that coming to the court, and maybe that fact that, you know, made me a bit more tense. But as I said, you know, I managed to find my way through, to adjust, and to win. That's what counts. I'm really happy that I won in five sets again coming back from two sets to one down. Mentally it's going to help me, and physically I'm fine. You know, I haven't been spending much time on court before this match today. I'm going to have two days now to get ready for finals.

Q. This is four in a row for you. You have been on this stage before. Talk about that remarkable achievement.

NOVAK DJOKOVIC: I love playing on Arthur Ashe. Next to Australian Open that I won four times, I think this is definitely my most successful court that I played on, you know. Playing four finals now in a row and five in total, I mean, it's great. I mean, seven, eight years that I have been coming back here I have played at least semifinals in every US Open. Fantastic. I mean, I have this great kind of feeling and atmosphere that goes around US Open. I love the energy here, but I also have a big team of people and I stay at a friend's house. It's kind of this family sensation. It's important, you know. It gives me a great deal of motivation, but also comfort, you know, to recover and to always, you know, be fresh on the court.

Q. First of all, congrats. Good run.

NOVAK DJOKOVIC: Thank you.

Q. I think you can say that maybe no one in history has played and actually lost two more notable games than the game today in the fifth set and then that incredible last game of the Wimbledon final, which was so historic and so tough for you. Can you take a moment and just talk about what it's like to get in the rhythm of these long games and what goes through your mind? Can you possibly compare those two incredible games?

NOVAK DJOKOVIC: Yeah. Well, Grand Slams always take the best out of every tennis player in the world, because these are the tournaments where all the attention is directed from the world of sport. These are the tournaments that are most valuable in our sport. This is where you want to play your best. So that's why I feel that not just top players, but everybody who is taking a part in Grand Slam, it's just a special, very unique feeling. You're extra motivated to give everything you have, especially at this stage of the tournament when you're playing best of five and have a shot to eventually to be in the finals. So, you know, the Wimbledon again was a kind of a similar run to this one, except the fact that I hope I will win the finals (smiling). I had a great run up to the semis, you know. Haven't spent much time on the court. In the semis I had this five set battle with Del Potro, which also you can compare to this year's US Open with Wawrinka. You know, hard court is my most successful surface. This is where I can say I feel most comfortable and confident. Hopefully I can perform better than I have done in Wimbledon final and maybe get a chance to win a trophy.

Q. You play a lot of guys who come out and they get on fire and they start hitting lines and get a break, whatever, and you outlast them and have to be patient. But today Stan's level was so consistently high throughout most of the match. Was there any point where you're tempted to panic, or were you thinking, Well, gee, I have to be more aggressive because this guy is just playing too well?

NOVAK DJOKOVIC: Well, I knew he was going to play well and be aggressive. I saw him play well especially here against Murray and some matches. He's just feeling the ball great. He's very confident, and there is no major flaws in his game. So knowing that, I came to the court, and as I said. I was a little bit tense because then you know you have to be resistant to that but also play your own style of the game. I wanted to be aggressive, and then I started making mistakes. He played well, and then, you know, all of a sudden I was set and break down. But, you know, after that I was mostly frustrated with my own mistakes in the important moments. I was very, very bad realization of the breakpoints. I mean, out of twenty break points I got, you know, three or something. So that could have been much better, for sure. But in the end of the day, it's a win and I'm very glad for it.

Q. Going into those break points, especially in the third game of the fifth set, it appeared that when you won the deuce point, got the ad, that it happened quickly, and all of a sudden maybe did you not have enough time to mentally get ready for the next point? It seemed to vanish before you were actually ready.

NOVAK DJOKOVIC: Well, I can't really find an excuse. Maybe the time that he takes between the points; maybe sometimes he goes fast.

Q. I was going to ask you that.

NOVAK DJOKOVIC: No, I mean, he was okay. I didn't mind that. You know, I think as I said, no finding excuse there. I was just frustrated that I could not capitalize on these opportunities. I have had, you know, points where I played, especially that third game in the fifth set, where we were in the rally and I was able to go for the shot and I didn't and he did. So, you know, it was back and forth, but even though I lost that game, I felt like, Okay, he's getting a little bit more tired and maybe this is my chance to step in. And that's what I have done.

Q. You alluded to this a little bit, but the confidence you have entering that fifth set, is that more a function of conditioning or is it experience or an equal combination of both of those things?

NOVAK DJOKOVIC: Well, experience is something that you cannot be born with. It's something that you get playing a lot of matches on a big stage. So there is definitely part of it that belongs to experience. But also the self belief and just trying to stay emotionally stable and composed and play the right game at the right time. It's easier said than done definitely. But over the years, playing a lot of five set matches, especially here on Arthur Ashe, I was more than successful here, so that's something that is always in the back of my mind when I come to the fifth set.

Q. There has been a lot of talk about Andy Murray missing a little bit of edge this week because of what he went through at Wimbledon. But you have had a brutal summer as well, playing even more matches than he has. I wonder how mentally fresh you feel at this stage.

NOVAK DJOKOVIC: Well, I'm always trying to, you know, push myself to the limit as much as I can go. You know, because as I said before, Grand Slams are the tournaments that I value the most. This is where I need to find that, you know, last drop of mental, physical, emotional energy that I have in me. Yes, I have had a tough, tough season, but also the other players had a tough season so far. So I try to do my best in the important moments, and, you know, now I'm in the finals. Of course I'm not as fresh as when I was at the start of the season, but, you know, I was looking forward to this, and I know that I'm going to be challenged and I'm ready for that.

Q. You didn't seem to be too happy when he took the medical timeout. What was your reaction?

NOVAK DJOKOVIC: No, no, medical timeout was fine, no, with me. I mean, I have a great relationship with Stan. I just minded the fact that almost five minutes past until he called the three minute timeout. That's why I thought too much time until he called, okay, now it starts three minutes. Because he went off the court.

Q. What do you feel about the Monday final? I suppose it's nice to have a day's rest after the semifinal after a match like that, but at the same time, does it give you much time to recover for Davis Cup?

NOVAK DJOKOVIC: Well, to be honest, I'm not in support of Monday final, but this is what it is. It's better to have Monday final now when you have a Saturday semifinal than Sunday back to back five sets in two days like it was before. I mean, it's just an ongoing subject with US Open and with people who are in organization here. Hopefully, you know, by the time, like the next few years, we're going to have to accept the Monday final, but after that, hopefully we can have the Friday/Sunday like in every other Grand Slam. I don't see why the US Open should get an exception in that. You know, Monday finals doesn't go in the favor of the players who are playing Davis Cup, and I have been playing Davis Cup semifinals for last few years. Now I have to play for my country again, which makes it much more difficult for me. It's a different continent, different time zone, it's clay indoors, and all these things, you know. So I got injured already few times like this, and is something that doesn't make me happy. But, again, between Saturday/Sunday, Saturday/Monday, I choose Saturday/Monday, you know. But scheduling is definitely something that we have to make right, because I think opinions of the players should be respected more, you know, in terms of scheduling, you know, the matches on the certain days. Like today, I mean, I didn't find it very fair to play at 12:00 noon the first match and I went to bed at 3:00 a.m. two days ago after my quarterfinals, where the other semifinalists had three days off, basically three days ago they played the quarterfinals. So I didn't find any logic in that, to be honest. But, again, there are some other I guess influences that have more power than players, and this has to be changed, I guess.

Q. When you're on the court facing Rafa Nadal, how would you describe the mental and physical challenges?

NOVAK DJOKOVIC: When I'm playing Nadal, you said? Well, it's always the biggest challenge that you can have in our sport now. I mean, he's the ultimate competitor out there. He's fighting for every ball and he's playing probably the best tennis that he ever played on hard courts. He hasn't lost a match on hard court this year, and we all knew that over the course of last six, seven, eight years, hard court hasn't been his favorite surface. He has got injuries, many injuries on this surface, but now he looks fit. He had seven months off. He lost three matches this year. With no doubt he's the best player in the moment this year, no question about it. So the way he's been playing he's very confident, but, you know, I know how to play him. Hard court is the surface that, as I said, is my most successful surface. I have played him already here twice in the finals. I know what I need to do. Now it's of course easier to sit here and say, I know what I need to do, but I've got to do it on the court. As I said, I have two days and he has to win his match, of course. We'll see, you know. Whoever I play against, I'll be ready to give everything I have for the trophy.

Q. What does this battle for ranking of No. 1 mean to you?

NOVAK DJOKOVIC: Well, it's important to me, of course. I have been finishing the years No. 1 last two seasons, and I know how much consistency and hard work and energy put into all this 10, 11 months of a season you need to deliver in order to be No. 1 of the world. So Rafa is I think in a better position right now for that ranking and for this position, but I'm still keeping that position going. I'm fighting for it. I mean, you know, I need to play well and I need to win tournaments in order to finish No. 1. I'm aware of that. But, you know, this is not the first time that I have something like this in front of me.

Q. There was a moment in the match when you were getting the crowd excited. Reminded me of the match in 2011 against Roger Federer. My question is: What role does emotion play for you in the kind of match you played today?

NOVAK DJOKOVIC: Well, the crowd is definitely something that I mean, it's a very important part of the match, especially at the later stages of Grand Slams. You want to have that. It's a necessary support you need to kind of lift you up, to give you wind in the back. Today the crowd was great. They supported him, they supported me, and they supported tennis, most of all. It was packed stadium, and they watched our match all the way to the last point. I thought they were terrific. You know, for me as a player, it's a pleasure to play in front of such a crowd.

http://www.usopen.org/en_US/news/interv ... 19142.html

[grzes430]

US OPEN 2013
Djokovic Looks To Re-Energise Ahead Of Monday's US Open Final
New York, U.S.A.


Novak Djokovic has a 2-2 record in major finals after recording five-set semi-final victories.

Spoiler:

US OPEN 2013
Djokovic Looks To Re-Energise Ahead Of Monday's US Open Final
New York, U.S.A.


Novak Djokovic has a 2-2 record in major finals after recording five-set semi-final victories.

Novak Djokovic will appreciate not having to compete on Sunday at the US Open, after coming through a 2-6, 7-6(4), 3-6, 6-3, 6-4 victory over Stanislas Wawrinka in the semi-finals.

"I managed to find my way through, to adjust and to win. That's what counts," an exasperated Djokovic exclaimed. "I'm really happy that I won in five sets again coming back from two sets to one down. Mentally it's going to help me, and physically I'm fine. I haven't been spending much time on court before this match today. I'm going to have two days now to get ready for finals."

The World No. 1 will prepare for Monday's title shot knowing that he has a 2-2 record in Grand Slam championship finals after winning five-set clashes. On Monday, the 26-year-old Serbian will play second seed and his rival for year-end No. 1 Nadal in a bid to capture his seventh major trophy.

Djokovic is ready for the Nadal challenge. "He's the ultimate competitor out there. He's fighting for every ball and he's playing probably the best tennis that he ever played on hard courts...With no doubt he's the best player in the moment this year, no question about it. The way he's been playing he's very confident, but I know how to play him. Hard court is the surface that, as I said, is my most successful surface. I have played him already here twice in the finals. I know what I need to do."

At the most recent Grand Slam, Wimbledon, Djokovic beat Juan Martin del Potro 7-5, 4-6, 7-6(2), 6-7(6), 6-3 in the semi-finals only to lose to Andy Murray in the final.

Djokovic also came through a five-set major semi-final against Roger Federer at the 2010 US Open, but finished runner-up to Rafael Nadal. His two five-set semi-final victories, followed by major title successes were at the 2011 US Open (d. Federer in SFs, d. Nadal in final) and the 2012 Australian Open (d. Murray in SFs, d. Nadal in final).

Additionally, with the the duel for the year-end No. 1 ranking heating up between Djokovic and Nadal, the Serb expressed his desire to remain atop the rankings. "It's important to me, of course. I have been finishing the year's No. 1 the last two seasons and I know how much consistency and hard work and energy is put into all this. For 10, 11 months of a season you need to deliver in order to be No. 1 of the world...I'm fighting for it. I need to play well and I need to win tournaments in order to finish No. 1. I'm aware of that."

http://www.atpworldtour.com/News/Tennis ... ction.aspx

[DUN I LOVE]

US Open 2013: 12. wielkoszlemowy finał Djoko.

26-letni tenisista z Belgradu po raz 4. z rzędu zagra o tytuł na Flushing Meadows, po raz 5. ogółem w Nowym Jorku (1-3). Dotychczasowy bilans Djokovicia w meczach o najwyższą stawkę jest pozytywny: 6-5.

AO: 4-0
RG: 0-1
W: 1-1
USO: 1-3

[jaccol55]

Novak po raz kolejny pokonany.



Serb wciąż nie może przełamać złej passy w najważniejszych spotkaniach. Tym razem w finale US Open przegrał dosyć wyraźnie z Rafaelem Nadalem 2-6 6-3 4-6 1-6. Tym samym, była to już czwarta porażka finałowa Nole na Flushing Meadows (2007, 2010, 2012-2013).

---

Wyniki Novaka podczas tegorocznego US Open:

R128 Ricardas Berankis (LTU) 6-1, 6-2, 6-2
R64 Benjamin Becker (GER) 7-6(2), 6-2, 6-2
R32 Joao Sousa (POR) 6-0, 6-2, 6-2
R16 Marcel Granollers (ESP) 6-3, 6-0, 6-0
Q Michaił Jużny (RUS) 6-3, 6-2, 3-6, 6-0
S Stanislas Wawrinka (SUI) 2-6, 7-6(4), 3-6, 6-3, 6-4
F Rafael Nadal (ESP) 2-6, 6-3, 4-6, 1-6

[Kubecki]

US OPEN 2013
Djokovic Won't Give Up On No. 1 Bid
New York, U.S.A.


Novak Djokovic eyes a strong finish to 2013, with the World No. 1 ranking in the balance.

Spoiler:

Novak Djokovic has not given up hope of finishing the year as World No. 1 despite seeing Rafael Nadal open up a massive lead after winning the US Open. Nadal, who has won two majors and five ATP World Tour Masters 1000 titles this year, now has a 3000-point lead over Djokovic in the Emirates ATP Race To London, a predictor of the year-end rankings. Djokovic has finished year-end No. 1 the past two years.

"I'm still No. 1 of the world in the rankings, but he has more chances to end up [at year's end] as No. 1," Djokovic said. "Look, there are still tournaments to go. We'll see. I will just try to prepare myself for China." Djokovic's next outing will be at the China Open in Beijing, starting September 30, followed by the Shanghai Rolex Masters. he is the defending champion at both events.

Despite the loss, Djokovic said that the US Open final against Nadal was a memorable experience. "I do appreciate the occasion playing against Nadal in the finals of one of the best tournaments and most important tournaments in the world. Obviously I just feel disappointed for losing... It was obvious that in the important moments he played better tennis and that's why he deserved to win. I congratulate him, and I move on.

"Many times you fall as an athlete, and you have to learn the lesson and keep on going, keep on fighting, keep on improving."

The Belgrade-native takes each loss as an experience to grow and believes that there are many more Grand Slam titles on the horizon. "I'm still 26, and I believe the best time for my career is about to come. I feel that. I believe that. As long as I believe it, the fire of the love towards the game is inside of me. And as long as that's present, as long as I feel it, I'm going to play this sport with all my heart, as I did for the last 10 years."

In 2013, Djokovic reached three Grand Slam finals but only captured one title, defeating Andy Murray at the Australian Open to open the year. The Serb does not consider his majors' campaign a failure and plans to come back hungrier and stronger next year.

"Overall, it was again a very successful Grand Slam year for me. That's something that I always try to have in the back of my mind, to set my own shape for the biggest ones, for major tournaments. That's where I want to play my best in. As I said, I wish there was another title, but it is what it is."

http://www.atpworldtour.com/News/Tennis ... ction.aspx

[jonathan]

Djoković trenuje przed meczem z Kanadą. Z racji tego, że spotkanie odbywa się kilka dni po finale US Open, przypomniał mi się 2011 rok. Tamten występ Novaka w Pucharze Davisa można by porównać chyba tylko do zwycięzcy Tour de France mającego jechać w Vuelcie, która odbywałaby się tydzień później. Takie rozwiązanie to gwałt na organizmie. Sampras mówił, że po US Open przez parę dni miał problemy ze wstaniem z łóżka, a przecież Pete nie grał takich maratonów. Serb po tamtym finale z Nadalem zasłużył sobie moim zdaniem na co najmniej miesięczny urlop. To, że postanowił wystąpić w Davis Cupie (a raczej ratować drużynę w niedzielnym singlu, bo w piątkowym zrezygnował z gry) to było z jednej strony honorowe zachowanie, a z drugiej coś więcej niż błąd - głupota (wszystko skończyło się na kreczu z Del Potro i porażce zespołu). Tak jak nie spodobała mi się tamta decyzja, tak w pełni popieram jednak tę o grze w najbliższym meczu. Bo od kiedy tylko pamiętam, Puchar Davisa zawsze napędzał Novaka. Mam tu na myśli wygranie tych rozgrywek dla Serbii w 2010 roku i ostatni pojedynek z USA, kiedy doznana tam kontuzja okazała się dla niego paradoksalnie niezwykle poztywnym bodźcem na Mastersa w Monte Carlo.

Szacunek dla Djokovicia i Nadala, że po US Open udzielają się jeszcze w swoich reprezentacjach.

[DUN I LOVE]

Novak charytatywnie.

---

Djokovic Hosts Star-Studded Foundation Fundraiser
New York, U.S.A.


Novak Djokovic hosted a fundraiser for his foundation Tuesday evening.

Spoiler:

A day after succumbing to Rafael Nadal in the US Open final, Novak Djokovic traded his tennis racquet for a suit and tie Tuesday evening, when he hosted the second annual fundraising dinner for his foundation. Held at Capitale, in lower Manhattan, the Novak Djokovic Foundation, which supports underprivileged youths around the world, raised $2.5 million for Serbian preschoolers at the star-studded event.

Celebrities in attendance included fashion icons Tommy Hilfiger, Donna Karan and Vogue Editor-In-Chief Anna Wintour, entertainers Ricky Gervais and Randy Jackson and models Adriana Lima, Naomi Campbell and Karolina Kurkova. Athletes included tennis legends John McEnroe and Jimmy Connors, as well as Olympic gold medalist Ryan Lochte and New York Mets star pitcher Matt Harvey. Legendary actress Goldie Hawn also joined in the festivities.

"Our mission is to to provide support, encouragement and resources to young children so they can fulfill and nurture their dreams," Djokovic said. "We try our best to enable them to grow up, play and develop in stimulating, creative and safe environments, with strategic community facility planning, development and financing, whilst instilling respect and consideration for their surroundings. It is important for them to know that many things are possible if they work hard."

Since the foundation’s inception in 2007, Djokovic has pushed to foster awareness for children in disadvantaged communities and develop stimulating and safe environments in which they can grow and play.

Earlier this year, Djokovic received an ATP ACES For Charity grant in support of The Novak Djokovic Foundation. The ATP ACES For Charity program is a global initiative aimed at giving back to communities where ATP World Tour events are played, as well as recognising and supporting tournament and player charitable initiatives.

The World No. 1 returns to the tennis court later this week when Serbia hosts Canada in the Davis Cup semi-finals, in Belgrade.

http://www.atpworldtour.com/News/Tennis ... a-NYC.aspx

[DUN I LOVE]

100 tygodni jako światowy numer 1!

Novak świętuje dzisiaj pomyślne zamknięcie setnego tygodnia na foteli lidera rankingu ATP. Serb jest 8. tenisista, któremu udało się tak długo sprawować rządy w ATP Tour.

302 - Federer
286 - Sampras
270 - Lendl
268 - Connors
170 - McEnroe
102 - Nadal
101 - Agassi
100 - Djoković

[robpal]

Akurat przy 102 Raful go przegoni