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Novak News & Interviews Vol.2

221K views 2K replies 116 participants last post by  talicnitom 
#1 ·
Yeah, I thought of one last thread we needed... you know, for all the articles about him that are written, etc.

NOW we are set with the threads I believe.

But this will be the lovely place where our Serbian friends post the articles and we wait for translations :)
"Volume 1"
 
#208 ·
Migueal Seabra :tape: I don't like him very much, Rafatard and Roger admirer at the same time. :shrug: For years he wouldn't talk much about Djokovic, if he had to talk about a 3rd player after Roger and Rafa he would choose to mention Murray. Well I guess I just don't like the guy very much. :shrug: But that interview, right now, is one of his career achievements he is most proud of. :lol: And he keeps mentioning it during a match or on twitter... etc
 
#209 ·
Migueal Seabra :tape: I don't like him very much, Rafatard and Roger admirer at the same time. :shrug: For years he wouldn't talk much about Djokovic, if he had to talk about a 3rd player after Roger and Rafa he would choose to mention Murray. Well I guess I just don't like the guy very much. :shrug: But that interview, right now, is one of his career achievements he is most proud of. :lol: And he keeps mentioning it during a match or on twitter... etc
:rolls::rolls:


*****

After winning his first ATP title : Interview with N.Djokovic

posted Monday Jul 24, 2006 05:24pm by Andre Jones (http://www.inside-tennis.net)

Fresh from his inaugural tournament title win in Amersfoort, Holland, Serbian number 1 Novak Djokovic, seeded 4 here in Umag, was looking relaxed, tanned and remarkably casual in his tee-shirt, snazzy bermuda shorts and flip-flops when I caught up with him for a chat. The good looking 19 year old Serb who is destined for the very top is rising fast up the rankings and is currently at a career high of 28.

Novak Djokovic, British number 1. How soon can we expect to hear this as your official title?

I have to tell you that you have made a mistake (smiling); I am Serbian number 1, fortunately, not British number 1.

You have just won your first title (Dutch Open) and you are now in the top 30, that’s got to feel good.

This is a great success for me, the first title of my career. Especially at this stage of my career, just 19 years old, coming from a country that does not have a great tennis tradition it is difficult to succeed. I hope this tournament in Amersfoort will be the first step towards a great career in which I want to make my life goal, which is to be the number 1 player in the world. I know that may sound unrealistic, but I believe I have the quality to achieve this goal. To be number 1 is the highest achievement that you can make, and I just try to stay in this way that I am in right now and hope that I can make it there.
I feel really happy because I just won my first title and I feel a bit relieved. I had a lot of expectations from everyone to win my first title and now I won it I feel a bit relieved. I’m top 30 right now which was my goal for this year, and so I have to set a new goal for the top 20. But I don’t need to look too much for this goal, I need to stay focused and try to play my best tennis, and that’s what I have been doing these past 3 or 4 months.

How excited are you to be back here in Umag?

Umag is one of my favourite tournaments, I’ve been coming here now 3 years in a row; it is very relaxed, the people are very kind, they accept me here which is very nice. The tournament director is very kind to me, so I am really happy to come back here this year. I will try to recover as much as I can from last week which was very tough for me. I still have a lot of emotions from Holland so I will try and rest, recover in time for my first match, start all over again and try and fight for another title.

In your ATP profile you said that hard-court was your favourite surface, but this year your best results have come on clay.

When they asked me I didn’t know, but I said hard-court, but it was not 100% my opinion. I have to say that I play good on all type of surfaces; I am really satisfied with my results especially on clay. In junior tournaments and now in the ATP and grand slam my best results are on the clay, so I have to say that is my favourite surface.

What improvements have you made to your game recently?

I was always an aggressive player and always wanted to have control over the match and this is one of my good points, this is what I like to do all the time. I have improved my serve a lot; it is becoming a really big weapon which I like a lot as it is a big advantage in men’s tennis today. Also, I have improved physically as well. I always had good baseline strokes which is improving with every match, every tournament.
The most important thing for me to improve is mentally. Mentally I have been a lot stronger this year, especially the last 4 or 5 months I had some great results, won some tough matches from two sets down, it is a big motivation for me. Now I am coming into the matches with a lot of self confidence, so in the next few years I have nothing to lose; I’m expecting more and more wins and a lot of success. But you know, I’m not putting any pressure on me, so I just have to stay calm.

What is your schedule for the US Open series?

After Umag I will probably prepare for Toronto, Cincinnati and then the US Open. I won’t play anything before the US Open; just try to be 100% prepared.
I will be seeded which is really important for me, it means that I will not face a seeded player until at least the third round which is good. But in grand slams you cannot expect an easy draw as the best players in the world are there.
I think I have the qualities to play and win against the best players in the world. I am not anymore the talented player with potential, I am now the whole player, the made player which is the main thing that makes me happy.

Do you look forward to an opportunity to play for Great Britain one day?

Well, you never know. But I have to say that at this moment there is no serious talk about me coming to Britain; it is just a rumour and right now I don’t want to get into it deeply. I am playing for my country right now, I feel good making a great success right now; I’m at the top of my tennis. Right now we are in the middle of the season so I don’t feel comfortable to think about it too much. But you never know in tennis and in life, maybe it might happen one day but for now there is nothing there.

How do you like to relax?

I like music and movies a lot, but I try to spend the time off I have with my family, with the girlfriend, or with some friends that I have. I like to surround myself with people because it is very important for me; I don’t like to be lonely, I always like to talk and share with somebody; it’s just the way I am.
My closest friends are Serbian guys from my country and Croatians like Mario Ancic and Ivan Ljubicic. But besides them I have a lot friends, I don’t have a problem with anybody. My girlfriend is not a tennis player. She is from Belgrade and is studying in Milano. It’s my private life so I don’t want to talk about it too much, but I am really happy for now.

Andre Jones, Umag


*****

Djokovic family dressed up Rasberger (2006, July in Umag)

Rasberger (the director of the tournament in Umag) received an interesting gift from Srdjan. A year ago, Srdjan promised him the best suit.

- When Novak lost his match at last year's tournament, I told Srdjan not to worry and that when Novak comes to Umag again, he will be among the top 30 players of the world. He responded that, if such a thing happens, he will buy me the best suit in the world – tells the tournament director smiling. – Today Novak is already in the top 30 (more precisely Novak holds the 28th position, which is his career best), which made my prognosis accurate. Srdjan came and brought me a blue Ferre suit, a shirt and two ties. He must have had consultants, because he guessed everything and the size is right.

The new deal was closed immediately.

- I told him that by this time next year, Novak will be in the top 10. I wouldn't mind having the Djokovic family dress me up once a year.

Translated: Marija Novkovic
 
#211 ·
How awesome is it to read those quotes about him believing he can achieve the No.1 ranking? :') :') :')
 
#212 ·
I actually find it funny how he has toned it down during the years. I miss bratty Nole. :awww:
 
#213 ·
Blimey, what an interview and article was that, thanks for posting :worship: Those points/things he said about Nadal, Fed, backhand, etc... you can see how this 2011 has happened, not quite out of the blue, the shapes of it were then and there already, now it just all finally came together :D
 
#214 ·
I read somewhere...it was a comment signed by that Portuguese journo, on a news that Novak is the new ambassador for Audemars Piguet, where he said that it was him that finished the job for Novak, I think during Wimbledon. Allegedly he was asked by Benito to look up on some manufacturers..because he's some kind of expert on watches and tennis.

On - He is going down comment...I have the video in my mind...I don't even remember when was it, I think AO, when they asked him about the match with Federer...and he smiled...and said - He is going down..but it was so obvious that it was a joke..that I couldn't believe what they make out of it later...
 
#215 ·
Poor Nole, always highly missunderstood. :awww:
 
#217 ·
Dear Nole's fan,

Why do you care about haters and Nole's being not as popular as he should ?

He is srbske and many people in the world were told Srbs are Evil so take it for granted.

A lot of young people in the world have discovered tennis with the Swiss Bear or The Spanish Pig and in their shitty life, those two mean success, and they are now stick on them or one of them. Nole arrives and kill their idols and everything collapses in their alive dream and they come back to their shitty life so they are full of hate and /or simply not fair with Nole.

Let some time fly, and you will see young fans feeling the same way with Nole as a Success icon.

Anyway, Nole doesn't need to be popular because is the best on court (powerfull, long distance holder....) and he is an entertainer such as tennis as lacked since Nastase or McEnroe...

So enjoy Nole and forget haters...
 
#218 ·
Novak Djokovic signs Mercedes endorsement
Wednesday, October 5th, 2011 at 9:59 am by Davis Robinson


The World No. 1 ranked Novak Djokovic has signed-up a sponsorship deal with German Mercedes Company, where he will be a new brand ambassador of the most prominent car manufacturer in the world.

The 2011 US Open champion Djokovic hopes to surpass 16-time Grand Slam winner Roger Federer and World No. 2 Rafael Nadal in the endorsement. Djokovic said he is very excited to become an ambassador of the world’s leading automobile company. Mercedes has given a statement that, Company is proud to sing-up with a deal along with great sportsperson Novak Djokovic. Mercedes officials said Djokovic has raised his tennis level and leading sports players in this year and also won millions of hearts worldwide.

The four-time Grand Slam winner Djokovic also under contract with Serbian telecommunications company Telekom Srbija and German nutritional supplement brand FitLine. Serbian has became the brand ambassador for Swiss watch manufacturer Audemars Piguet in August, 2011 and also signed a ten year deal with the Italian clothing group Sergio Tacchini,

The World No. 2 Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer are the other two leading tennis players in the endorsements. Spaniard, who has signed-up with Emporio Armani Jeans and Armani Underwear for the spring and summer collection and Nadal, is the first tennis player to work with in Armani shorts. Roger Federer is the other player, who had signed an endorsement by Mercedes-Benz China.
 
#221 · (Edited)
Yeah, I miss him so much. :sad: Hopefully he will be ready in time and manages to keep his form intact. I'm slightly worried that the injury might be nastier than they thought it was at first, though this was an expected withdrawal from the original announcement that it would need four weeks of therapy. :awww:

Anyway, he should fix that, so smart decision I guess... I think he's very lucky this happened at the end of the season, hope he learned his lesson, and that this DC was the last time he was forcing it :)
Agree with you.
 
#244 ·
I guess so. Novak is not an idiot, he knows a PR should have experience in the tennis circuit.
 
#246 ·
Toni Nadal says Rafa spooked by Djokovic
Johan Lindahl


Toni Nadal has let loose with another inside bombshell, telling Spanish media that his world No. 2 nephew Rafael Nadal is currently spooked by the big game of hot rival and world No. 1 Novak Djokovic.

Nadal has been beaten six times this season by the Serb, most recently for the US Open title.

With the Spaniard's confidence in that confrontation perhaps dragging a bit, the words form his longtime coach and close relative are likely to be harsh - if true - medicine.

"There have been too many losses (to Djokovic) and it is true that Rafael has become nervous in their recent matches," the elder Nadal told the El Mondo newspaper. "What I saw at the end (of the US Open final) was that Rafael, despite the nerves that gripped him in the first two sets, had a good reaction in the third, went to fight and (try to) beat him.

"This gives me a certain hope."


Toni Nadal has never been shy with raw advice and opinions, and the recently published autobiography of the player paints the coach in a less-than-flattering light as a control freak.

While Toni doesn't yet rate the Nadal-Djokovic series as importantly as most would the Federer-Nadal rivalry, there is still some concern in the Spanish camp.

"Djokovic is playing superior to the rest, I hope it does not last forever," said Toni. "Rafael's game has worked well against Djokovic and has been very spirited. We must return to make a change, not in his game, but of mentality and try to win again."

Nadal is currently doing just that in Tokyo at the Japan Open, with Djokovic injured and missing the autumn ATP Asian swing.
 
#247 ·
While Toni doesn't yet rate the Nadal-Djokovic series as importantly as most would the Federer-Nadal rivalry, there is still some concern in the Spanish camp.
Really? I'd think that 16-13 is much more "rivalry" than 17-8, but I guess it's only an important rivalry if your nephew is on top of it... :p
Toni Nadal is more of a sore loser than I thought, if you take these quotes and add the stuff he said about Nole being lucky this year both against Roger AND Rafa...
 
#249 ·
Albanians hacked site of Novak's restaurant...this so ridiculous that it is almost funny. Tetovo hackers team, what an oxymoron. Anybody noticed that?
http://www.mondo.rs/s220103/Info/Hr...ski_hakeri_oborili_sajt_Novaka_Djokovica.html

Probably because of this

Djokovic doesn't regret Kosovo comments
Ticker - Friday, October 7, 2011

Novak Djokovic tells Der Speigel that he does not regret sending a video message to Belgrade in 2008 when 150,000 of his compatriots were demonstrating against Kosovo's declaration of independence. Djokovic’s message, delivered after he won the Australian Open, said: "We are prepared to defend what is rightfully ours. Kosovo is Serbia."

That night, demonstrators threw stones at the Croatian, Bosnian and German embassies and set fire to the U.S. embassy.

Djokovic’s father was born in Kosovo, as were his uncle and his aunt. The Kosovo Albanians and Serbians dispute which populations have rightful claims on the land. "It is the birthplace of my family and, indeed, of Serbian culture itself," Djokovic said. "I don't regret what I did. We want justice, but we just can't get it."
 
#254 ·
Lets not get ahead of ourselves here, I was in Serbia, kosovo, Albania, Bosnia and Albania this year. I talked to people from all these countries and heard their version. It's a very sensitive issue this one. This is not like Spain and Basque country, this goes way beyond that. I honestely don't have an opion, I was not born in any of the countries, and eventhugh I know a bit about history and the people's opinion it's not nearly enough for me to construct and opion on based on sollid argument. However, I do believe that Nole should have never made that statement back then, he is entitled to his own opion obviously, and had he been asked about it in an interview, etc... it would be normal of him to state in a discrete way. But what he did was far from discrete :tape:. And it's not like he is a "regular" person... what he says has a pretty big impact. Obvisouly I do understand why he did it, he was a bit impulsive, he was a kid with a strong opinion... maybe I would have done the same. But not being part of this whole thing, I still think it was not a right move. ;)
 
#255 ·
All the Serbs felt strongly and were pretty vocal about that at the time. It's not exclusive to Nole's outgoing personality or whatever. Milorad Cavic, the great Serbian swimmer who almost snatched gold from Phelps( some people still debate he did actually won it :p ) wore a warm up shirt when stepping up to the start position, at a meet, saying "Kosovo is Serbia". That got a lot of publicity when it happened.
 
#258 ·
He has every right to say anything he wants. His involvement at the time was not surprising, given that his family is from northern part of Kosovo.
It's not like he brought that issue himself, it was the journalist who asked a question and he did not chicken out.
 
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