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

 

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 :-)