Novak Djoković

[Saboteur]

Injured Djokovic out of Paris and facing London fitness fight


World No. 1 Novak Djokovic caught the first flight to Monte Carlo after withdrawing from the Paris Masters with his continuing right shoulder injury and faces a huge return to fitness if he's to play in London at the year-end final.

ATP officials said the Serb was to begin treatment on the injury which forced him to his fourth loss of the season last weekend in Basel, which he somehow shook off enough to play two matches in Paris, the final event of the regular season. But hours before his quarterfinal with Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, he pulled the plug.

"Sadly I have to inform you that I have withdrawn from the further tournament," he told his website. "I've pushed myself to the limit by playing, and after the match yesterday my shoulder got worse.

"For this reason, I have to put my health first and withdraw even though my urges as a professional player are making me want to play until the last drop of energy. My body is aching for recovery."

Djokovic is hoping to be put right by his specialists in Monte Carlo, who managed to get him fit enough to make his Paris start on Wednesday after hurting the shoulder last weekend. But after a three-set match in the third round which he won over Viktor Troicki, his shoulder pain flared up badly.

ATP officials are expecting the Serb in London by the Thursday deadline for the arrivals of all eight year-end participants. Should he get a Monday start (Nov 21) he would have 10 days to rehab the shoulder and hope for the best.

[Ranger]

Novak Djokovic: Is His Style of Play Taking Too Much of a Toll on His Body?



Much has been made in the past about Rafael Nadal's physical playing style and the effect it has had on his body, as he's been forced to take serious time off in recent years due to injury.
Can the same now be said of Novak Djokovic?

The world's No. 1 pulled out of the BNP Paribas Masters event in Paris today before his quarterfinal match against Jo-Wilfried Tsonga due to a lingering right shoulder injury. The shoulder also gave him problems last week at a tournament in Basel, Switzerland—his first event since being forced to take time off with a back muscle injury.

Those are two big problem areas for any professional tennis player to deal with. Add them to the knee problems Djokovic dealt with earlier in the season—when Kiniseo Tape appeared to be his fashion accessory of choice—and it seems like all of the winning Djokovic has been doing in the past 12 months is taking its toll.

His style of play might be a contributing factor, too.
Djokovic can do anything on the court. He can hit groundstroke winners off both sides, whether through power or placement. He can come up with big serves. And he has magnificent touch around the net. Plus he knows when to utilize his various abilities—the true key to his near-legendary year.

But Djokovic's physical style may be having adverse effects on his body. He stays in points much longer now in order to set up winners rather than going for them early in the rally.
Djokovic is certainly no slouch in the athletic department: How many times have you seen him this year hitting open-stance forehand winners after being yanked off the court by some sharply angled drive?

It's intimidating to opponents who feel they don't have a chance of hitting Djokovic off the court— they same way they feel when they step on the court against Nadal.

Djokovic has demolished a number of opponents in 2011, but he's also been involved in a few dogfights on his way to 10 titles. To ease some of the wear and tear going forward, better scheduling will be key.

Djokovic won't change his style of play—especially after the results it has yielded so far.

Źródło: http://bleacherreport.com/articles/9358 ... n-his-body

[sheva]

Shame what's happened to Novak Djokovic

by Peter Bodo

The big question is: Did he or didn't he?

The even bigger question is: Will Novak Djokovic ever be the same again?

Let's take the smaller question first: Did Djokovic show up to play in the Paris Indoors Masters 1000 (from which he withdrew because of an ailing shoulder before his quarterfinal match versus Jo-Wilfried Tsonga) only to make sure he gets his share of the ATP's year-end bonus pool? Had Djokovic skipped Paris, he would have become ineligible for a share, because a player who misses two consecutive Masters events forfeits the dough (Djokovic missed the previous Masters, Shanghai, a few weeks ago).

Given Djokovic's ranking and accomplishments, the incentive-based payout amounted to $1.6 million USD, which isn't exactly chump change -- even for the man who won three Grand Slam events and posted a 6-0 record against Rafael Nadal this year. And the year is not over.

Even if Djokovic does not play the ATP World Tour championships in a few weeks, he's already blasted his way into the history books by putting together one of the best years, or three-quarters of a year, in history.

Djokovic's final quarter has been ruined by, in order: a back injury that caused him to miss the entire Asian tour; and then the recurrence of a shoulder injury (originally noticed way back in August, when it forced Djokovic to surrender the Cincinnati Masters final to Andy Murray) that contributed to his unexpected loss to Kei Nishikori last week in Basel.

All that helps explain why the gossip in Paris and elsewhere is that Djokovic entered the event only to make sure that that big check with his name on it gets to be deposited to the right account. On the surface, it seems plausible, and I'd buy it if Djokovic had gone out, played a mediocre set against Ivan Dodig in his first match in Paris, and then withdrawn -- citing his injury.

Instead, Djokovic mastered Dodig and then endured a three-setter against his countryman and sometimes wingman Viktor Troicki. Djokovic lost the first set in that one but mounted a fight-back that ended in a win. Less than 24 hours later, he announced his withdrawal.

I can't imagine that Djokovic would have played Russian roulette with his career by competing in Paris any longer than he needed if he was just trying to qualify for his dough. Besides, he could have helped his buddy Troicki significantly by getting out of his way. So I've got to believe that although he's happy to collect the bonus pool, Djokovic did his level best to work through his aches and pains to win.

As Djokovic told the press: "I have to put my health first and withdraw even though my urges as a professional player are making me want to play until the last drop of energy."

I also think that these days Novak loves being Djokovic (hey, wouldn't you, in his shoes?). He's trying to get to the finish line as fully cloaked in honor and adulation as possible. Which is why he rather grandly told the disappointed Parisian crowd: "I am very sorry for all of you who bought tickets and wanted to come and watch me play."

Well, the Parisians will survive. But will Djokovic? That's the larger question.

We don't know just how severe his injury is. He seems to suggest that what he needs mostly is rest: "My body is aching for recovery." But he certainly has pushed the envelope these past few weeks, trying to play through his shoulder troubles, trying to finish out the year in some semblance of normal fashion.

It's a shame to have Djokovic's year end this way and adds urgency to the growing cry for him to pull the plug on the season before he does more and/or serious damage to his shoulder. That the injury has lingered so long is not an encouraging sign, and let's face it: Djokovic will have very little time to smell the roses of 2011 before he has to take the court in Melbourne to defend his title at the Australian Open.

http://espn.go.com/tennis/blog/_/name/b ... k-djokovic

[sheva]

Novak Djokovic: “So Far Things Are Looking Good”

Novak Djokovic announced that he arrived in London yesterday. Despite lingering concerns with his right shoulder, Djokovic practiced twice on Tuesday and he says everything is good.

“Hey guys! Arrived to London yesterday afternoon. I’m very excited to be back and so far things are looking good. Already practiced 2 times ” Djokovic posted via Facebook.

It’s not all business this week for Novak, who appeared on the Fiorello Show Monday night in Italy. In his post he added that he and girlfriend Jelena Ristic were heading to the movies this evening.

“Oh, and tonight I’m taking Jelena to a “Breaking Dawn” movie premiere. The vampire fever is on ” he said.

Djokovic will be the top seed at the ATP Barclays Finals which begin on Sunday. He won the title in 2008.

http://www.tennis-x.com/xblog/2011-11-16/8303.php

E: Te emotikony, to nie ode mnie jakby ktoś pytał.

[sheva]

Novak Djokovic Records in 2011



Dangerous men in 2011, Novak Djokovic has been in an ultimate form in 2011, as the Serbian has shown a marvelous effort to clinch three grand slam titles in 2011.

24-years old Serbian, Djokovic has won 10th title this season with grand slam titles in Australian Open, Wimbledon and US Open, along with that, he won five ATP World Tour Masters 1000 title in Miami Masters, Indian Wells, Madrid Masters, Rome Masters and Montreal Masters tournament.

2011 has been best years in Djokovic career having got a win-loss record of 64-2 in 2011 has 70 winning percentage in 2011. Second in the list is former American No.1, John McEnroe has set the standard for dominance in a season with his 82-3 record, and .965 winning percentage, in 1984.

The only two defeats that Djokovic faced were in the semifinals of the French Open against Roger Federer, the only player to really beat Djokovic this year. The only other time the Serb has lost was when he had to retire against Andy Murray in the final of Cincinnati Masters, a couple of weeks ago.

Novak Djokovic is the sixth man to win three Grand Slams in one season in the Open Era to win three Grand Slam titles in the same season, joining Rod Laver(1969), Jimmy Connors(1974), Mats Wilander (1988), Federer (2004, 2006-07) and Nadal (2010).

All these have made record have made the Serbian, Novak Djokovic to conquer the world No.1 ranking from Rafael Nadal, after winning the 2011 Wimbledon championship title at the All England Club in London, England.
The inform men this season, Novak Djokovic struggling form shoulder injury will be leading the ATP World Tour Finals in O2, London

http://www.livetennisguide.com/2011/11/ ... s-in-2011/

[jaccol55]

Djokovic: Head Of The Class
DEUCE


Novak Djokovic's 41-0 record to begin the 2011 season was second-best to just John McEnroe's 42-0 start in 1984.

Novak Djokovic has long been a student of the game. Now he's using his high tennis IQ to reach new heights in an era once dominated by Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal.

Climbing Mount Everest might have been an easier challenge for Novak Djokovic than removing Roger and Rafa from atop the tennis summit. During their reign at the top we were often teased with greatness; a Russian here, an Argentine there, a Frenchman everywhere. Finally, one man stepped forward, a Serbian by the name of Novak Djokovic.

It wasn’t as if Roger Federer or Rafael Nadal just handed over the keys to the No. 1 ranking. No, Novak had to wrestle it away from their powerful clutches. Some say it started with the 2010 Davis Cup win in Belgrade. What then followed was an incredible string of 41 straight wins to start the 2011 season. Then there was this matter of three out of four Grand Slam titles. Even the toughest critic has to admit that Novak Djokovic has been great for tennis.

“Djokovic sees formulas, angles and solutions to problems well before the rest of the class”

It took him a while, though, didn’t it? During the years that he was biding his time at No. 3 in the South African Airways ATP Rankings, the critics couldn’t be silenced. Whenever he dropped his head, they said he wasn’t fit enough, or worse, that he wasn’t tough enough. They even hinted that he had become content with fortune and fame.

What they didn’t count on was his intelligence. “Novak is an extremely smart person and besides his talent he has a very high tennis IQ,” states Nikola Pilic, the Yugoslavian former pro who coached Novak during his teenage years.

It is that intelligence that allows him to process information. For example, Novak knows that when Rafa goes high heavy to Roger’s backhand he wins 84 per cent of the points. And he also knows that if he can flatten out his backhand drive up the long line and stretch Rafa, forcing him into that awkward slice backhand, it will soon be done and dusted in his favour. A lot like the protagonist in the movie, A Beautiful Mind, Novak Djokovic sees formulas, angles and solutions to problems well before the rest of the class.



With Novak we also get a champion who wears his emotions on both sleeves. Whether he is standing on the wings of a plane filming a commercial, cracking one-liners with Conan O’Brien, or doing an impromptu Serbian folk dance on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, Novak entertains. His dances are a bit goofy, but we love it because of that sunbeam smile of his that races around the stadium igniting us in applause.

“He was always a very emotional child,” remembers Jelena Gencic, the coach who discovered both Novak and Monica Seles. “Every day during our tennis camp I would walk with the kids in the forest after tennis. And I saw that Novak was picking these wildflowers and putting them together. One day I asked him, ‘Novak for whom are you picking these beautiful flowers?’ And he answered to me, ‘For my mother.’”

Gencic says she knew almost immediately that little Novak was destined for greatness. “When little Novak came to me I needed only one week with him to be sure,” says Gencic. “On the fifth day I asked him in front of his parents, ‘Novak do you want to spend the next seven, eight years training very hard every day, sometimes with smiles and sometimes with tears?’ He said, ‘Yes, I want to be great.’ He was only six years old but he had the eyes, and the heart and the soul of a champion. I was so sure that he would make it.”

“With Novak we get a champion who wears his emotions on both sleeves”

After evening practice, young Novak would often accompany Gencic back to her Belgrade apartment to watch video footage of tennis champions in action.

“Maybe that is how he became so good at imitating other players’ movements,” says Gencic. “He loved so much watching videos of the great champions like Agassi, Sampras and Edberg. He would say to me, ‘Please, Jelena, explain to me how Sampras can hit the running forehand parallel?’ Then I must explain to this little boy which leg to stop with and which leg to transfer weight forward with and so on. And you know, he never took his eyes off of mine the entire time I am explaining to him the technique. This child was so hungry for tennis knowledge.”

Fast forward to 2011. What was it that really changed for this Serbian player and propelled him to the top of the sport? Fellow Serb and pro player, Dusan Vemic, has been watching Novak train since he was six years old. The two are close friends and Vemic is often seen alongside Novak’s entourage in the player’s box.



“Basically, he found the perfect balance to enjoy the sport of tennis,” Vemic claims. “Which is working hard, eating well, representing himself and his country and all those things. I believe that finding his service rhythm made a big difference to his tennis. Then he matured a lot in one year. Also, he found his food intolerance: the famous gluten-free diet that made him breathe more easily, lose five pounds in weight and generally improve his physical ability and recovery time.”

Vemic says his countryman draws immense support from the Serbian fans that follow his career. “He feeds off the entire energy of Serbia. He is seen as half a saint in our country. And he is always giving back to the community.”

Now that Djokovic has achieved that perfect balance, the tables have turned and the hunter has become the hunted. Which begs the question: How will he respond? Can he cap off his incredible year by winning the Barclays ATP World Tour Finals?

http://www.atpworldtour.com/News/DEUCE- ... kovic.aspx

[sheva]

Djokovic on tap for London with early arrival



Novak Djokovic is leaving out details of the precise state of his troublesome right shoulder, landing in London for the World Tour Finals with a cheery word for his Facebook and Twitter followers.

“Hey guys! Arrived to London yesterday afternoon. I’m very excited to be back and so far things are looking good. Already practiced 2 times .”

His first job: a night out at the cinema with girlfriend Jelena, with the couple attending a vampire flick.

Djokovic, who withdrew last week before his Paris Masters quarterfinal with Jo-Wilfried Tsonga due to the shoulder injury which has bothered him off and on for several months, has had a busy few days. He appeared all smiles just three days after quitting Paris, showing up on an Italian television variety show.

He then popped over to London. The world No. 1 still has several more days to train and take treatment on the shoulder problem, with his start at the eight-man season wrapup set for Monday night against Tomas Berdych.

http://www.tennistalk.com/en/news/20111 ... ly_arrival

[Joao]

Biofile with Novak Djokovic

Tennis Heroes: “Well, Pete Sampras, he was always my idol. I always liked his game even if I don’t have the same game as he does. I liked his attitude and the way he played. The way he act on the court I like a lot. He was concentrated a lot during all the matches. And he was playing the best tennis on the very important points, during the very important matches. That’s what I liked about Pete Sampras. That’s why he was always my idol. He finished his tennis career – I’m really sorry that I didn’t have a chance to meet him and to play with him. But I hope in the next two years I will have a chance to meet him. And since he finished the tennis, I like a lot Federer’s game and Safin. Safin actually played, not same, but similar game to mine – very aggressive and using all the opportunities. I had the chance to play against Safin in Australian Open and it was a great moment and a great experience, my first appearance on the big center court.”

Tennis Inspirations: “A win. The feeling of winning a match or winning a tournament. The feeling of winning a tennis match is irreplacable.”

Favorite Movies: “Yeah, I’m a movie watcher. I like all kinds of movies, action and thrillers, drama and horror. The favorite one – maybe Pulp Fiction is one of the best.”

Musical Tastes: “I’m a music fan also like everybody. For me, it is also important the company you have. When you are going out, company that’s around you, then you don’t really pay attention to music so much. I like R&B, house music, I don’t like actually Serbian music, our music, so I’m not a big fan of this. So I’m listening to American, R&B, hip-hop, reggae, house. I like all kinds. Also classical sometimes when I need to relax.”

Favorite Meal: “As a tennis player I have to eat a lot because I expend a lot of energy. Mostly during the day I’m eating pasta. So this is one of my favorite meals. But I also like a lot of chicken with mashed potatoes, and some salad. That’s like my favorite [laughs].”

Favorite Ice Cream Flavor: “Well, I like a lot of chocolate. I have to admit that. I like sweets a lot. So I like chocolate ice cream.”

First Tennis Memory: “Yeah sure, I remember I started when I was four. My father owns a restaurant in one mountain in our country. And when I was four they were making three tennis courts in front of my restaurant. And I was helping them to make these courts. And I was interested a lot because no one in my family ever played tennis. My father was a professional skier. My mother was also skiing. And he also played soccer and wallyball, a lot of different sports, but not tennis. So I was the first to start playing tennis when I was four. The first coach, Jelena Gencic, she teach me how to play tennis and how to act on the court. She teach me a lot. This was very important to have a good coach in the period when I was seven years old to eleven. And I was really lucky to have her.”

Pre-Match Feeling: “Well, I try not to think too much because I want to be focused for the match. Before the match I do the usual warmup, stretching. I need 30-45 minutes to prepare all my racquets and everything. I’m thinking…mostly I’m speaking with my coach about what tactics we should prepare for this player. Think tactics, strategy, how I should act on the court, what should I use more. These kinds of things. I try not to think too much. I just go out on the court and do my best. I have more motivation to play and to win more Grand Slams – now more than ever, that I know that I can actually, you know, perform equally well on any surface, that I have equal chances on any Grand Slam that I play. So this is something that gives me a lot of desire.”

Early ATP Memories: “I have a few moments that I like. At Wimbledon when I reached the third round in 2005 was really great. In second round I saved five match points from 0-2, I came to 3-2 to win. This was a great moment. And this was really important match for me. Because when I won the match I got to top 100. So this was really nice feeling. And also the fact that I played the first time on the grass. So that’s really nice, I like Wimbledon a lot.”

Greatest Sports Moment: “Well, since I started the professional tennis I had great moments, I don’t have exactly the one moment. Winning Wimbledon was my dream. Becoming #1. Winning the Australian Open in 2008 and this year and winning the Davis Cup for Serbia was a very nice moment.”

Most Painful Moment “Well, I cannot say that I really had a painful tennis moment that I wanted to quit tennis or something like that. I hope that I will not have. Probably being injured or not feeling 100% healthy. But I never had any really like painful moments.”

Favorite Tournaments: “I like Australia and Wimbledon a lot. I like the grand slams. And I like to play Belgrade.”

Funny Tennis Memory: “I like to watch McEnroe playing. He was really funny on the court. And Safin, when he would throw the racquet when he was really nervous. And it was really fun watching Yannick Noah. I like watching the old matches when I was really a baby. And McEnroe was really funny.”

Embarrassing Tennis Memory: “Well, when I lost to one guy from Serbia actually. It was about seven or eight years ago when I was first in Europe. I lost to this guy and it was really embarrassing because everybody expected me to win easily, so.”

Closest Tennis Friends: “I’m really in good relationship with everybody. So I’m trying to keep it that way. I’m really good friends with Janko Tipsarevic and the players from my country.”

Funniest Players Encountered: “I don’t know. Everybody is funny. I don’t put out one. John McEnroe made me laugh.”

Toughest Competitors Encountered: “Well, all the players are tough to play against, everybody is trying their best to win the match.”

People Qualities Most Admired: “Just I like people who have a lot of sense of humor. And who are very honest. I like nice people, like really honest person, who can be good friends of yours. It’s really difficult because every where you go you meet a lot of people and it’s difficult to find your friend. Like real honest friends.”

http://thebiofile.com/2011/08/1632/

[Dajan]

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZF5wZ_pM ... ure=relmfu[/youtube]

by ATPWorldTour, 17 listopada

[robpal]

BARCLAYS ATP WORLD TOUR FINALS 2011
London Home To Djokovic's Crowning Achievements


Novak Djokovic is aiming to win
his second title at the circuit finale.

London holds good memories for Novak Djokovic, who took home the Wimbledon net as a souvenir of his last visit. That time around, he fulfilled two lifelong dreams, winning The Championships and ascending to No. 1 in the South African Airways ATP Rankings.

“I was thinking of going to Wimbledon to have a cup of tea as a member,” the 24-year-old Serbian shared Saturday, upon his return to the English capital for the Barclays ATP World Tour Finals.

The first item of business, however, will be his bid to cap off his incredible year with the title this coming week. Djokovic, who will be officially crowned the ATP World Tour No. 1 in an on-court ceremony this week, is making his fifth straight appearance at the circuit finale. He won the title in 2008 (d. Davydenko) when the tournament was held in Shanghai.

“Obviously everybody agrees that this tournament is a crown for all the achievements of the year,” said Djokovic, who secured his berth back in May. “Every match that you’re playing is at probably the highest level in our sport, then you have to be on top of your game to win it. Everyone wants to finish the season in great style, that’s what makes this event even more competitive.”

For the second straight year, he will face Czech Tomas Berdych in his first round robin match. He defeated Berdych in straight sets last year, but anticipated a challenging match against the World No. 7 Monday evening at The O2.

“Tomas had some great results in the last couple of weeks, especially last week in Paris, he won against Andy Murray to reach the semi-finals, so he’s in great form,” assessed Djokovic. “He’s somebody that has been around the Top 10 players of the world for the last five or six years. He’s been winning a lot of indoor events, so he likes playing indoors. We’ll see, it’s going to be a tough one.”

Djokovic enters the Barclays ATP World Tour Finals with a 69-4 season match record, but has been hampered by injuries since winning his 10th title of the season at the US Open.

He addressed concerns of his recent right shoulder injury, expressing Saturday that he did not expect it to affect his chances this week in London. “I have been serving almost 100 per cent in the last two or three days, so for me the shoulder’s fine at this moment and I can say it’s recovered and ready to compete.”

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

[Joao]

[Joao]

Weary Novak Djokovic close to breaking point at World Tour Finals

Spoiler:

• World No1 may follow Bjorn Borg route and retire early
• 'With respect to 20 years ago, today is more physical'

Novak Djokovic is dragging his body to the starting line not far from the Greenwich meridian with his usual disregard for the weight of time. At 24, he is young enough to laugh at the burdens tennis has already imposed on his lean body, and old enough to recognise he will not be able to do so much longer.

Reminded that Bjorn Borg had said recently it was his own excellence in being able to reach so many finals that persuaded him to retire at 26, the world No1 smiled. "It is a busy schedule, I'll tell you that," he said, as the second group of four players among the world's best eight gathered at the O2 Arena on the eve of the Barclays ATP World Tour Finals.

"Players are having a lot of difficulties, especially towards the end of the year, to be fit and ready to perform 100% in each event. But, if I have the results that Borg had I might be stopping in a couple of years as well. I would be more than happy to have his career.

"For sure, it is a subject to be discussed. You could see at the US Open this year, many players complained. We have to understand how the tennis world works and how it has been working for many years. I think we need to be open for changes. It's a different time. With all the respect for the tennis 20 years ago, tennis today is much more physical and takes away lots of energy from our bodies. We don't get much time to recover."

The Serb was not a member of the militant faction of Andy Murray, Rafael Nadal and, to a lesser extent, Andy Roddick, who threatened industrial action in New York in pursuit of a kinder schedule, but said: "It's not that easy but, yes, most of the players agree to have a little bit shorter schedule."

As for Murray, who is in his section of this round-robin finale to an 11-month slog on the circuit, Djokovic views the Scot's striving for a first grand slam with more equanimity than those who write the stories and headlines agonising over the lack of British success at the summit of the game. Murray plays David Ferrer on Monday afternoon, while Djokovic goes against Tomas Berdych in the evening.

"It's very hard for me to speak for him," he said, "but I know the difference in my game was just that mental approach and maturity on and off the court, as a person as well – just figuring out things, how to do deal with the pressure, how to play the right shots at the right moment, using the experience I have had over the years playing Roger [Federer] and Rafa.

"My game is more or less the same, but it's that mental switch, the self-belief that I can win the matches I have been losing in past years. Andy has played a few grand slam finals already and he's been in the top four in the world the last couple of years, so I'm sure that he wants a grand slam title at this moment more than anybody. I'm sure he will make it because he has the quality to do it. He has won so many big events, he has won against all the best players in the world.

"He's a complete player. He can perform well on this surface as well as all the other surfaces. That gives him enough reason to believe he can do it."

But what about that right arm that has dangled painfully by Djokovic's side in recent months, not to mention strains on the rest of his body that have cut him down this season: is this a tournament too far? "A couple of weeks ago I had an injury of the abdominal muscles but it's all coming well now. I have been serving at 100% the last two or three days. So, for me, the shoulder is fine at this moment. I can say it's recovered and I'm ready to compete."

The key words, three miles down the road from the place the clocks start ticking, were "at this moment".

http://www.guardian.co.uk/sport/2011/no ... our-finals

[sheva]

Djokovic plays down fitness worries for ATP Finals

LONDON (AP)—His body creaking after a stellar season, Novak Djokovic insisted Saturday he is fit enough for a shot at his 11th title of the year.

The No. 1-ranked Djokovic withdrew from the Paris Masters quarterfinals last week with a shoulder injury that has blunted his late-season form.

He said he would be ready for his opening match at the season-ending ATP World Tour Finals against Tomas Berdych on Monday.

“I have been serving at 100 percent in the last two or three days,” Djokovic said. “For me the shoulder is fine at this moment. I can say it is recovered and it is ready to compete.”

Andy Murray and David Ferrer make up the rest of Djokovic’s group, while Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, Jo-Wilfried Tsonga and Mardy Fish compete in the other group starting Sunday.

Djokovic has already compiled what is widely regarded as one of the best seasons ever in men’s tennis. He has a 69-4 record and has won 10 titles, including three Grand Slams. He went unbeaten until June in a run of 41 straight wins.

For the 19th and last tournament of a hectic year, Djokovic is back in London, the scene of his most precious win at Wimbledon.

“I was even thinking of going to Wimbledon for a cup of tea, as a member you know,” he said. “It’s the most prestigious, the most valuable event you can think of in our sport in my opinion and I think a lot of players would agree.

“That was the tournament I always dreamed of winning.”

After Wimbledon, he went on to win the U.S. Open, beating Rafael Nadal, the player who started the year on top, for the sixth time in a final this season.

“It has been the best year of my career and I’m definitely proud of what I’ve achieved so far,” Djokovic said. “But it’s still not over and I have a very important event to be a part of and I try to do my best for the next week.

“Everybody wants to finish the season in great style.”

Speaking on Friday, Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer both said it would be difficult for Djokovic to maintain such high standards in 2012, while Murray said Saturday that repeating a year like that “just doesn’t happen in sport.”

“It’s like Barcelona in football,” Murray said. “It’s the best team but to win back to back Champions Leagues, even though you’re the best team, it’s so tough, the margins are so small. A lot of things have to go your way.”

Djokovic vowed not to rest on his laurels.

“It’s always possible to get better,” he said. “I like to think of my game as a complete game but I think I still have room for improvement.”

However, Djokovic accepted Federer’s concern that staying at the pinnacle of the sport presents a whole new challenge because of “all the other things you have to do that go with being world No. 1.”

“I know it’s going to be really tough,” Djokovic said. “I know with the new position I have, I have more expectation, more responsibility, but I’m ready for it.

“Everything I do in my life it’s a challenge.”

http://www.tennis.com/articles/template ... 9&zoneid=4

[ginny]

Đoković w nietypowy sposób przygotowywał się do Masters

Lider rankingu tenisistów Novak Đoković kilkadziesiąt godzin przed rozpoczęciem turnieju kończącego sezon Masters w Londynie wystąpił w rozrywkowym programie telewizji włoskiej. Pokazowy gem meczu rozegrał używając zamiast rakiety... patelni.
Serbski tenisista ubrany w garnitur, z elegancką muszką pod szyją przegrał po zaciętej walce z prowadzącym program. Mimo porażki widać było, że lider rankingu znakomicie bawi się w studio, puentując w języku włoskim wypowiedzi gospodarza.

"Występ" w show przypieczętował brawurową choreografią taneczną, w duecie z prowadzącym, do piosenki "Hello" Lionela Richiego.

http://www.sportowefakty.pl/tenis/2011/ ... o-masters/

[Kubecki]

2011 ATP WORLD TOUR AWARDS presented by Moët & Chandon

DjokovicATP World Tour No. 1 (based on South African Airways ATP Ranking)



Novak Djokovic : The 24-year-old Serbian won 10 tour-level titles, highlighted by three Grand Slam championships (Australian Open, Wimbledon, US Open) and a record five ATP World Tour Masters 1000 trophies in one season. Djokovic ascended to No. 1 in the South African Airways ATP Rankings following Wimbledon. He opened 2011 with a 41-match winning streak, just shy of John McEnroe’s record 42-0 start in 1984, and enters the Barclays ATP World Tour Finals with a 69-4 match record.

http://www.atpworldtour.com/Fans/Fan-Fa ... -2011.aspx

[Ranger]

Djokovic can't complain about improving shoulder



Novak Djokovic was breathing easier after saving a match point and managing an opening victory over Tomas Berdych to begin his campaign at the ATP World Tour Finals.

But it was the encouraging state of his right shoulder that most pleased the No. 1.

"This was my toughest match probably since the US Open," said Djokovic of a battle lasting well over two hours. "I wasn't very satisfied with my performance - I know I wasn't playing on top of my game.

"To be honest, it feels good, that's something that I'm happy about. I haven't felt any pain in my shoulder. I've been feeling well on the court.

"Obviously, I feel a little bit exhausted, because the match was almost three hours. It's normal. But I think I'm physically fit. And I just need to get some things better in my game for the next challenge."

Djokovic has been dealing with the shoulder for almost a month after healing a back injury from September's Davis Cup.

Źródło: http://www.tennistalk.com/en/news/20111 ... g_shoulder

[jaccol55]

[DUN I LOVE]

Sezon wyjątkowy, więc trzeba takie rzeczy odnotowywać. David Ferrer został kolejnym tenisistą, który pokonał Novaka w osławionym sezonie 2011. W meczu 2 kolejki fazy grupowej Turnieju Mistrzów 2011, lider rankingu doznał 5 porażki w tym roku:

5 David Ferrer WTF
4 Kei Nishikori Bazylea
3 Juan Martin del Potro PD
2 Andy Murray Cincinnati
1 Roger Federer Roland Garros

[Kubecki]

25.11.11 Koniec sezonu dla Novaka Djokovica.

Dziękuje Ci mistrzu za wspaniały sezon, za piękne chwile, emocje i zwycięstwa. Wszystkiego dobrego i oby tak dalej w przyszłym roku! A teraz się regeneruj!

[DUN I LOVE]

Nie da się trochę zmniejszyć tego banerka? Od biedy może zostać, ale będę wdzięczny za próbę dostosowania go do sensownych rozmiarów.

Sezon wybitny, szczególnie ta część"zasadnicza", czyli od AO do USO. Później było trochę gorzej, ale 10 tytułów i bilans meczów 70-6 cały czas są bardzo wymowne. Brawo!