[fsoica]

Excerpt from today's Novak interview:


Q. At the end of last year, obviously the best player was Federer. Is it a concern for you that he was the best at that time?

NOVAK DJOKOVIC: Of 2011?

Q. Yes.

NOVAK DJOKOVIC: Well, he finished off the season best from all the other players. He had over 15 wins in a row. He definitely loves playing indoors. He loves playing in the London event. But, you know, it's a whole new year. It's a whole new season. We're starting to play outdoors. We'll see if everybody can keep up.


To me it sounds smth. like: let's see if the old man can still keep up with us...

 

[Saberq]

If he did good for him .......but no....how many times did Fed say the same thing for Murray or someone else?

 

[finishingmove]

He challenged everyone, not just Federer.

 

[niksonion]

Everything he said is very correct and very polite...

 

[Roamed]

It's not the most delicate phrasing ever, but he still complimented Fed nicely in the rest of that answer.

 

[Time Violation]

Nothing more than stating the obvious, new season and back to square one for everybody, Djokovic, Federer and the rest of tour alike

 

[Mystique]

Everything he said is very correct and very polite...

It is very correct but not very polite.
Make no mistake, I dont have any problem with that. You dont need to go out of your way and be "nice" to your competitors. "Nice" gets you nowhere.
As someone said above, Federer has often made statements like that. And its very true too. What goes around, comes around

I am sure Federer accepts Novak is the man to beat too. And its a new season and everyone will have reset.
But yes, while Djokovic did say "everyone", I am sure he was basically thinking about Federer foremost. Two reasons. Fed is the man who finished last season with a flourish and supposed to be the top 4 member in the best form and two, Fed is the guy Djokovic will have even slight reservations when facing.

 

[Fed Express]

Nope sorry. Don't see it as a provocation to Federer.

 

[Mae]

I don't think any one can provoke Federer.

 

[fmolinari2005]

Nope sorry. Don't see it as a provocation to Federer.

Me neither. But I bet if it was the other way around I am not so sure Nole fans would be thinking the same way. :lol: :lol:

 

[Kat_YYZ]

nothing to see here :zzz:

 

[MaxPower]

NOVAK DJOKOVIC: But, you know, it's a whole new year. It's a whole new season. We're starting to play outdoors. We'll see if everybody can keep up.


To me it sounds smth. like: let's see if the old man can still keep up with us...

To me it sounds like "We are starting a new year now. All new. Last year is in the books." (that includes his own past season)

It's a good view because one dude will defend more than everyone else up to RG. It ain't Federer...

 

[xdrewitdajx]

oh, good, people aren't making something out of nothing

 

[guichard]

Me neither. But I bet if it was the other way around I am not so sure Nole fans would be thinking the same way. :lol: :lol:

this

 

[duong]

the old MTF cutting every word in tiny pieces : whoever the player I can't understand that

 

[scarecrows]

another non-thread

 

[duong]

another non-thread

the mods decided that this kind of thread is more appropriate to GM than threads about exhibition tennis matches with 5 of the top-6 players

 

[rinnegan]

Clutching at straws to make Nole look bad, I see.

 

[manadrainer]

Me neither. But I bet if it was the other way around I am not so sure Nole fans would be thinking the same way. :lol: :lol:

this man speaks the truth. :yeah:

 

[Goldenoldie]

I think when Novak said "Let's see whether everyone can keep up", he meant "let's see whether everyone can keep up with EACH OTHER", not "whether everyone can keep up with ME