Sorry folks but right now I am busy with other project to be able to give this site the attention it deserves.
I am going to be more active on www.thetennistimes.com so please follow me there :-)
Saturday, 17 March 2012
Saturday, 10 March 2012
Novak Djokovic - Indian Wells Round-up
Novak Djokovic has been the game's top player for more than a year but the Serbian is not taking his world number one ranking for granted.
Djokovic, who has clinched four of the last five grand slams and posted a remarkable win-loss record of 70-6 in 2011, is well aware that fortunes can change very quickly in the sport.
"I don't consider myself being on the top of the world, being untouchable or unbeatable," the 24-year-old told reporters on Friday while preparing for his opening match at the Indian Wells ATP tournament.
"That's out of the question. I always try to give 100 percent in every practice that I have, I always want to have the positive mindset in preparing well for every event, for every season."
Asked what had been his proudest achievement since the start of his red-hot run last year, Djokovic replied: "I'm very, very proud of my consistency, the results throughout the whole year.
"But the biggest success was Wimbledon, winning that title, winning the tournament that I always dreamed of winning, so I guess I can take that out as my proudest."
Djokovic, who outlasted Spaniard Rafa Nadal 5-7 6-4 6-2 6-7 7-5 in an epic final at the Australian Open in January, will be aiming for a fourth consecutive grand slam crown at the French Open in June.
Roland Garros has always been his favorite grand slam venue but he knows he will face an uphill task their on its claycourt surface in a tournament he has yet to win.
"I've had a good couple of years playing in Roland Garros, unfortunately I didn't reach the finals yet in Paris," Djokovic said. "I have played three semi-finals there, mostly against Rafa, and had some really good matches there.
"I love playing at Roland Garros, so hopefully this year I can make at least a step further."
GRAND SLAM TALK
While Djokovic accepted there would be speculation about a calendar year grand slam following his successful title defense at the Australian Open, he prefers to let others do the talking.
"The fact is that there is always pressure and always expectations for somebody who is a top player, and it's something that you can understand and expect," the Serb said. "But you have to deal with the pressure.
"You have to understand it, cherish it and accept it as a challenge, just try to take the best out of it. I need to keep my single-minded focus ... because that is the way that I can stay grounded and I can stay committed.
"For all the other speculations off the court, I cannot influence those and I understand that there will be talk."
Djokovic, who beat Nadal 4-6 6-3 6-2 in last year's final at Indian Wells on the way to a 41-0 win streak that finally ended with his French Open semi-final loss to Roger Federer, was delighted to be back.
"It's always good to be back in a place where I have done so well in the last five years, played finals and winning two titles," he said. "It's always something to look forward to because it's one of the best events that we have in the sport.
"You play against best players in the world and the conditions here are suitable to my style of the game. The courts are a little bit slower, which I like and prefer better, so I'm looking forward to this week."
Djokovic, also champion at Indian Wells in 2008, will face Kazakhstan qualifier Andrey Golubev in the second round, having been given a first-round bye.
Calling Captain Djokovic
Djokovic, who has clinched four of the last five grand slams and posted a remarkable win-loss record of 70-6 in 2011, is well aware that fortunes can change very quickly in the sport.
"I don't consider myself being on the top of the world, being untouchable or unbeatable," the 24-year-old told reporters on Friday while preparing for his opening match at the Indian Wells ATP tournament.
"That's out of the question. I always try to give 100 percent in every practice that I have, I always want to have the positive mindset in preparing well for every event, for every season."
Asked what had been his proudest achievement since the start of his red-hot run last year, Djokovic replied: "I'm very, very proud of my consistency, the results throughout the whole year.
"But the biggest success was Wimbledon, winning that title, winning the tournament that I always dreamed of winning, so I guess I can take that out as my proudest."
Djokovic, who outlasted Spaniard Rafa Nadal 5-7 6-4 6-2 6-7 7-5 in an epic final at the Australian Open in January, will be aiming for a fourth consecutive grand slam crown at the French Open in June.
Roland Garros has always been his favorite grand slam venue but he knows he will face an uphill task their on its claycourt surface in a tournament he has yet to win.
"I've had a good couple of years playing in Roland Garros, unfortunately I didn't reach the finals yet in Paris," Djokovic said. "I have played three semi-finals there, mostly against Rafa, and had some really good matches there.
"I love playing at Roland Garros, so hopefully this year I can make at least a step further."
GRAND SLAM TALK
While Djokovic accepted there would be speculation about a calendar year grand slam following his successful title defense at the Australian Open, he prefers to let others do the talking.
"The fact is that there is always pressure and always expectations for somebody who is a top player, and it's something that you can understand and expect," the Serb said. "But you have to deal with the pressure.
"You have to understand it, cherish it and accept it as a challenge, just try to take the best out of it. I need to keep my single-minded focus ... because that is the way that I can stay grounded and I can stay committed.
"For all the other speculations off the court, I cannot influence those and I understand that there will be talk."
Djokovic, who beat Nadal 4-6 6-3 6-2 in last year's final at Indian Wells on the way to a 41-0 win streak that finally ended with his French Open semi-final loss to Roger Federer, was delighted to be back.
"It's always good to be back in a place where I have done so well in the last five years, played finals and winning two titles," he said. "It's always something to look forward to because it's one of the best events that we have in the sport.
"You play against best players in the world and the conditions here are suitable to my style of the game. The courts are a little bit slower, which I like and prefer better, so I'm looking forward to this week."
Djokovic, also champion at Indian Wells in 2008, will face Kazakhstan qualifier Andrey Golubev in the second round, having been given a first-round bye.
Calling Captain Djokovic
Bombardier Aerospace today expanded its range to the elite tennis racquet set naming top-ranked champion Novak Djokovic as a Learjet Brand Ambassador. He joins an exclusive list of Bombardier Business Aircraft brand ambassadors including actor and pilot John Travolta, architect Frank Gehry, maestro Valery Gergiev, and classical pianist Lang Lang.
“Speed, agility, performance and efficiency are key attributes that Novak Djokovic and Learjet aircraft have in common,” said Steve Ridolfi, President, Bombardier Business Aircraft. “His passion for winning, outspoken personality and natural ability to inspire people make him an ideal ambassador for the Learjet brand.”
Ranked World No. 1 by the Association of Tennis Professionals (ATP) since July 2011, to date Novak Djokovic has won five Grand Slam singles titles: the 2008, 2011 and 2012 Australian Open, 2011 Wimbledon Championships and the 2011 US Open. In 2011, he became the sixth male player to win three Majors in a calendar year and is the youngest player to have reached the semifinals of all four Grand Slam events, separately and consecutively.
“Flying on Bombardier business aircraft allows me to balance my extensive travel schedule with the rigorous demands of playing on the ATP tour and all the public appearances in between,” said Mr. Djokovic. “I’ve been a Learjet fan for many years; they’re fantastic planes.”
Learjet business aircraft: With over 45 years of history marked by a multitude of performance records, Learjet aircraft are the world’s first purpose-built business jets. The creation of inventor Bill Lear, who designed the first Learjet aircraft based on a Swiss fighter-bomber, Learjet aircraft are renowned worldwide for their sleek ramp appeal and favoured by pilots for their handling characteristics and high-performance.
Since acquiring the Learjet Corporation, Bombardier has revitalized both the brand and the product line, bringing to market no less than eight new models, including the new Learjet 85 aircraft.
About Bombardier
A world-leading manufacturer of innovative transportation solutions, from commercial aircraft and business jets to rail transportation equipment, systems and services, Bombardier Inc. is a global corporation headquartered in Canada. Its revenues for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2011, were $18.3 billion, and its shares are traded on the Toronto Stock Exchange (BBD). Bombardier is listed as an index component to the Dow Jones Sustainability World and North America indexes. News and information are available at www.bombardier.com or follow us on Twitter @Bombardier.
The Doubles is already over for Novak as the paternership with Troicki ends with a 7-5 7-5 defeat againt the Spanish pairing of Granollers & Lopez. Hopefully Novak will do better in the Singles :-)
Thursday, 8 March 2012
Novak Djokovic - In Indian Wells
Sorry but I have been so busy with my Maria Kirilenko interview.
Ok, Novak, what have you been up to recently.
K-Swiss held their annual "Desert Smash" and Novak once again attended. Photos of the event are available on their Facebook page.
Novak will begin his title defence against either Golubev, who is undergoing a bit of a resurgence after an awful 2011 or Saffa De Voest. The first scheduled Seed is another Saffa in the form of Big Kev Anderson. The rest of Novak's quarter looks to be straightforward should Novak bring his A game to the court.
Murray, Isner & Berdych, are the seeds also in Novak's half that may pose a danger in the later rounds.
I am going to try and catch as much of the live tennis as possible, baring in mind I am UK based, so hopefully I will be able to bring you match reports/photos shortly after.
Ok, Novak, what have you been up to recently.
K-Swiss held their annual "Desert Smash" and Novak once again attended. Photos of the event are available on their Facebook page.
Novak will begin his title defence against either Golubev, who is undergoing a bit of a resurgence after an awful 2011 or Saffa De Voest. The first scheduled Seed is another Saffa in the form of Big Kev Anderson. The rest of Novak's quarter looks to be straightforward should Novak bring his A game to the court.
Murray, Isner & Berdych, are the seeds also in Novak's half that may pose a danger in the later rounds.
I am going to try and catch as much of the live tennis as possible, baring in mind I am UK based, so hopefully I will be able to bring you match reports/photos shortly after.
Tuesday, 6 March 2012
Maria Kirilenko Interview
Remember my Press Accreditation from the Paris Masters?
Well the same website, The Tennis Times have arranged for me to conduct a 15 minute interview on Wednesday with Maria Kirilenko!!! How fab is that?
Anyway, I need your help in writing questions for Maria to answer. Do you have a question you would like to ask? If so reply to this post.
Thanks
Well the same website, The Tennis Times have arranged for me to conduct a 15 minute interview on Wednesday with Maria Kirilenko!!! How fab is that?
Anyway, I need your help in writing questions for Maria to answer. Do you have a question you would like to ask? If so reply to this post.
Thanks
Friday, 2 March 2012
Novak Djokovic - No Title Defence in Dubai
Ok, what happened?
I completely missed the match and from what I can tell from bits of conversation with my friends and the odd glimpse at the scoreboard Novak was otherwise occupied today. So no 4 in-a-row, no bettering last years unbeaten start. But is this a call for concern?
Novak will head straight to Indian Wells now to play both Singles & Doubles. Maybe if there is a particular problem he can sort that out during a Doubles match, maybe try a new tactic etc.
Hopefully today was a one-off and maybe a blessing in disguise. No pressure to try and match 2011 etc.
See you all in Indian Wells.
I completely missed the match and from what I can tell from bits of conversation with my friends and the odd glimpse at the scoreboard Novak was otherwise occupied today. So no 4 in-a-row, no bettering last years unbeaten start. But is this a call for concern?
Novak will head straight to Indian Wells now to play both Singles & Doubles. Maybe if there is a particular problem he can sort that out during a Doubles match, maybe try a new tactic etc.
Hopefully today was a one-off and maybe a blessing in disguise. No pressure to try and match 2011 etc.
See you all in Indian Wells.
Thursday, 1 March 2012
Novak Djokovic - Another Win
Sorry for the delay.
First up, match reports:
SportingLife
SaudiGazette
Novak's Website
Unfortunately I cannot find the press conference from my usually sources :-(
So next for Novak is Janko. Whilst Novak was not firing on all cylinders yesterday I think credit should go to Sergiy as he played a great match, pushed Novak all the way and made it difficult. Will Janko prove to be the same? Will the match at the O2 have any bearing? I think the answer to those two questions is no. Novak was on his knees at the O2 and whilst Janko has improved I still think he does not have the consistency to trouble Novak, even in a BO3 setting.
Adje No1e, let's make it 4 in a row :-)
First up, match reports:
SportingLife
SaudiGazette
Novak's Website
Unfortunately I cannot find the press conference from my usually sources :-(
So next for Novak is Janko. Whilst Novak was not firing on all cylinders yesterday I think credit should go to Sergiy as he played a great match, pushed Novak all the way and made it difficult. Will Janko prove to be the same? Will the match at the O2 have any bearing? I think the answer to those two questions is no. Novak was on his knees at the O2 and whilst Janko has improved I still think he does not have the consistency to trouble Novak, even in a BO3 setting.
Adje No1e, let's make it 4 in a row :-)
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