Davis Cup Draw for 2012

World Group Draw:

 

Spain v Kazakhstan

Austria v Russia

Canada v France

Switzerland v USA

Czech Rep v Italy

Serbia v Sweden

Japan v Croatia 

Germany v Argentina.

Novak Djokovic - Parties Away

Serbia's top male tennis players, although failing to impress on the court of the Belgrade Arena at the weekend, had a great time out together on Monday night in the Belgrade club Stefan Braun.

Popular DJs Junior Jack and Kid Creme were in charge of the music, while the stars of the evening at the club were Serbian players Novak Djokovic, Viktor Triocki and Janko Tipsarevic, accompanied by their significant others. Novak and Janko in particular seemed to be in a great mood and in the first part of the evening chatted with the renowned DJs.

Everyone around Djokovic appeared to be having a great time and laugh. Although many were expecting to see Janko at the turntable and play some of his set lists for the crowd, that never happened.

As the hour got late, Novak and co's mood was even better as they played in the crowd, took photos with their fans as a wide variety of cocktails were being delivered from the bar.

 

As Monday nights are dedicated to charity parties at Stefan Braun and celebrities serve guests from the bar, singer Anabela Bukva, television host Marina Kotevski and Marko Djurovski took time to animate the guests and collect contributions for two abandoned girls from Kragujevac. Also seen during the night was singer Kaja, who is in a relationship with Junior Jack.

Courtesy: Bilc

Novak Djokovic - Davis Cup Interview

Courtesy: OfficialDavisCup

Novak Djokovic - Quotes From The Press Conference

"I feel very disappointed to end the tie in this way, I tried although I was only 60 percent fit and I went into the match knowing there was a risk of aggravating the injury which I first felt at the U.S. Open," Djokovic told a news conference.

"We knew my condition was not good but we believed that even so I would have a better chance against Del Potro than my team mate Viktor Troicki would, at the end of the day it was my decision and it backfired.

"I am not saying I would have won if I had been 100 percent fit because Del Potro played at a very high level today and never in my professional career did I struggle with my return of serve as I did today.

"The important thing now is to determine the extent of my injury and how long it will take me to recover, I was able to battle through the pain in the U.S. Open final but not today."

Courtesy: Yahoo

Novak Djokovic - Davis Cup Ends In Tears

NOOOOOOO, what happened? Is it a chest/rib injury or his stomach?

Whatever it is Novak has quit his match against Del Potro to hand the tie to Argentina.

What a sad way for Serbia's defence of the title to end. I hope Novak is ok and i'll keep looking for any official news of the injury.

Ajde Nole, we still love you :)

Novak Djokovic - OUT of Davis Cup Rubber

Novak has just tweeted that he has withdrawn from match against Nalbandian due to lower back & rib pain :-(

Viktor Troicki has taken Novak's place and is about to start his match now.

Novak Djokovic - Davis Cup Practice

Novak having a relaxed hit on the court :)



Courtesy: CopaDavis ITF

Novak Djokovic - Inspired By National Pride

On the thickly forested slopes of Kopaonik, in southern Serbia, Jelena Gencic used to host a summer tennis camp. This sprightly 75 year-old recalls one lesson in particular, watched as it was by a little boy staring through the outside fence, studying every move intently.

"I said, 'Hey, little boy, do you like it? Do you know what this is?' 'Yes, I know,' he said. 'You play tennis.' 'What's your name?' 'Novak Djokovic.' Very clear. Very strong."

It was the summer of 1993, just as neighbouring Bosnia became engulfed by conflagration. The children whom Gencic now mentors, on her dilapidated clay court on the outskirts of Belgrade, are too young to remember the Nato bombs that rained down upon the Serbian capital. But when asked who they most want to emulate, they muster an eerily familiar reply. "Novak Djokovic."

On Friday, the US Open champion will deliver the starkest affirmation of his duties as the face of a united Serbia. For he is returning to Belgrade in triumph, ready to put peerless individual glories on hold for this weekend's Davis Cup semi-final against Argentina. In Britain we may deride this competition, reduced as we are to playing Hungary in a Glasgow shopping centre, but for the Serbs it is nothing less than a pillar of nationhood.

Amid fervent scenes at the Belgrade Arena last December, Djokovic inspired his Serbia team-mates to win their first Davis Cup. In his second singles rubber he gave a graphic signal of how much the final against France meant, smashing his racket in fury when he fell a break behind to Gael Monfils. At the point of victory he was similarly unhinged, draping himself in the national colours for a dance.

If you want to identify a trigger for Djokovic's supremacy this season, or for his rapier filleting of Rafael Nadal at Arthur Ashe Stadium, here it is.

Of the 72 matches contested since that Balkan midwinter night, Serbia's slender hero has won 70 of them.

When he brought the Wimbledon Challenge Cup back to Belgrade's Parliament Square, 100,000 turned out to acclaim him. 'Nole!' posters were plastered across the sides of whole tower blocks. Imagine, then, the reception when he presents a third Grand Slam trophy this year for their delectation. At the rate Djokovic is going, there could yet be a groundswell for him to succeed Boris Tadic as Serbia's president.

On the US Open equivalent of 'People's Monday', Djokovic's status as national icon was confirmed. More than a hundred Serbian fans had congregated on the stairwells out of Ashe, unleashing a medley of Slavic anthems and whipping off their tops. "Vamos Nole," they cried, in an attempt at rapprochement with dispirited Nadal fans. Four middle-aged men in water-polo helmets leapt up and down, conducting the mob with gusto, before a security guard barked at them to put their shirts back on. "Fine," he said, when not one obeyed. "Let's go, Serbia!"

No one could deny Djokovic or his entourage such merriment after perhaps the greatest match seen at Flushing Meadows. Granted, it was one-dimensional at times — an orgy of coruscating baseline hitting — but ascended to greatness through its impression that the old order had changed. In the Wimbledon final of 2008, arguably the finest tennis spectacle any of us will see, one sensed that the Nadal era had begun as he outgunned Roger Federer in the Centre Court gloaming. At the end of Monday night's marathon in New York, the feeling formed that Djokovic was out on his own.

From the Ashe loge boxes, the drama directed by Djokovic was mesmeric.

Beyoncé, leaning forward from her seat opposite his chair, applauded as his outrageous drop shots sealed a 17-minute duel early in the second set — and as he came through a 31-stroke rally to defend a break point against Nadal in the third. Poor Nadal was simply pushed around, buffeted by second-serve returns that either came straight back at his feet or whistled past him at preposterous angles. The world's second-ranked player looked just as ineffectual on the attack, at the mercy of a devilish talent with the movement and wingspan to chase down any shot he contrived.

If we believe John McEnroe's assertion that Djokovic is enjoying "the greatest season in the history of our sport," then this was its most vivid exclamation point. Already, it appears, Djokovic is pausing to reflect upon his seismic accomplishments. When I spoke to him at the Empire State Building on Tuesday, he was lost, briefly, in memories of that stern-faced boy who so captivated Gencic.

What did he see? "I see the boy who holds the racket with a lot of love, who plays tennis with passion, who dreams of being the best." His former tutor should be proud of him. As, indeed, should every one of his jubilant countrymen.

Courtesy: Telegraph 

Novak Djokovic - Davis Cup Revealed

The draw has taken place for the semi final and Novak is first up against David Nalbandian.

The 2nd rubber will be between Tipsarevic & Del Potro.

Doubles rubber on Saturday is Zimonjic & Tipsarevic against Chela & Monaco

Reserve singles* finishes off the tie with Novak against Del Potro and Tipsarevic against Nalbandian.

* Line-ups subject to change

Full Tie details can be found here

Novak Djokovic - Serbia Into The Semi Final

No need for Novak to play today as Janko made sure of Serbia's place in the Semi Final in the 4th Rubber in Sweden.

Novak Djokovic - What Is He Doing

Crazy boy :-)

Novak Djokovic - Davis Cup Photos

Novak Djokovic OUT Of Friday DC Match

The Wimbledon champion will be replaced by Janko Tipsarevic, who will face Ervin Eleskovic. Sweden's Michael Ryderstedt will play Viktor Troicki in the opening match on Friday.

It was unclear whether Djokovic would be back for the reverse singles on Sunday.

Courtesy: USAToday

Novak Djokovic To Play Davis Cup Against Sweden

Novak Djokovic says he will play will for Serbia in its upcoming Davis Cup quarterfinal in Halmstad, Sweden. Top Swede Robin Soderling has decided not to play, which will make defending champion Serbia a heavy favorite. Djokovic did not play in Serbia’s win over India in the first round. 

"I am on the team," Djokovic said. "But for Soderling, I've heard, yes, that he has pulled out. I mean, regardless if he's playing or not, we will come as the strongest team, the team that has won the Davis Cup title last year, because we are aware that we are going away from home. I wouldn't be surprised if Robin still plays on that match. He's not in the tournament [Wimbledon]. He has still chance to be in the team. But we are not looking at their squad. We are just trying to be the best squad we can."

Juan Martin del Potro will also return to Davis Cup when Argentina faces Kazakhstan in a World Group quarterfinal in Buenos Aires. Roger Federer will be part of the Swiss team that plays Portugal next month in Berne, in Europe/Africa Group I play. Federer has not played Davis Cup since 2009. Rafael Nadal has opted out of Spain’s quarterfinal tie against the United States in Austin, Texas.

Courtesy: Tennis.com

Djokovic Will NOT Play In The Davis Cup

Courtesy: Official Website

World no.3 Novak Djokovic will not join the Davis Cup team of Serbia for the Davis Cup World Group first round tie against India, that will be played on an indoor hard court at the Spens Sports Center in Novi Sad from 4-6 March.

After winning the Australian Open and completing a hat-trick of Dubai Championships titles, Nole is heading to California so he can prepare for a run on US hardcourts from March 10 when Indian Wells, the first of the nine ATP World Tour Masters 1000 events, starts. Djokovic is hoping to continue the year strong.

"I feel physically well, fit, and mentally motivated to do even more coming up to Indian Wells and Miami where I haven't done well in the last years. So I really want to work hard and get some good results in the US," said Novak about the upcoming challenges.

Serbia begins Davis Cup title defence next weekend. In 2010, Novak was leading his country to Davis Cup title (d. France 3-2) for the first time in its history, while going 7-0 in singles.

Everyone in the Serbian team knows it won’t be the same without Novak, but players, the reigning world champions, are optimistic and believe they will beat India without Nole in the squad.

Djokovic to skip the Davis Cup?

Novak Djokovic looks to be reconsidering his participation as Serbia's Davis Cup title defence begins next weekend in Novi Sad against India just six days after the world number three completed a hat-trick of Dubai Championships titles at the weekend.

'That's a question mark now,' admitted the two-time Australian Open winner after beating Roger Federer 6-3, 6-3 to claim his third straight title at the Aviation club. 'I'm still absorbing this victory. I will decide in the next two days.'

While the Davis Cup from Friday may be in question, there is no doubting that the Serb is well-placed for a run on US hardcourts from March 9 when Indian Wells, the first of the Masters 1000 events, starts.

Djokovic won the 2008 title in the Californian desert over Mardy Fish a year after losing a final to Rafael Nadal.

'It's really important to know for me that I can perform this well. This match has probably been one of the best that I played this year. I want to keep it up, definitely,' said Djokovic after his 71-minute win.

'I feel physically well, fit, and mentally motivated to do even more coming up to Indian Wells and Miami where I haven't done well in the last years. So I really want to work hard and get some good results in the US.

After titles in both of his ATP starts this season, the 23-year-old Djokovic remains the form player of 2011 after also putting out Federer in a Melbourne semi-final.

'I need to be on top of my game to win against Roger. Rafa or any top player you play against, you really have to be focused from the start, first to last point, because any time it could turn around.

'Any time I win against Roger it's a great success because he's such a great player. He's been number one for so many years and won so many titles. It's a huge challenge any time you play him, especially in the later stages of the tournament.'

Courtesy: M&C

Serbia - Davis Cup defence

The Serbian team will begin their defence of the Davis Cup against India on 4-6 February 2011.

The ITF has announced that the venue for this 1st Round tie will be held at the Spens Sports Center in the city of Novi Sad. The surface chosen is indoor hard court.

Novak's Father speaks out against Serbian Tennis Federation

Serbia's tennis federation deserved no credit for the national team's maiden Davis Cup win and needed "a thorough reconstruction", according to Srdjan Djokovic, father of world number three Novak Djokovic.

"The present TSS leadership, headed by Slobodan Zivojinovic, has nothing to do with Serbia's Davis Cup victory; we are the world tennis champions thanks to the players and their families only," the elder Djokovic said in a statement released to Belgrade media.

"I have no ambition to take over from Zivojinovic but the TSS needs a thorough reconstruction."
Davis Cup coach Bogdan Obradovic echoed Djokovic's remarks, saying the TSS had given little support to the players, who beat France 3-2 in the final in Belgrade last weekend.

"The Djokovic family wants fresh forces to take over and I am sure this will happen because both the players and I support changes," Obradovic told reporters.

"We need better facilities and I won't speculate who will replace whom in the TSS but I can assure you that staff changes will be made.

"The players have received slim financial support from the TSS all these years while we have achieved an incredible result by winning the Davis Cup in our first final.

"I know that we don't have resources like countries such as the United States but investments have to be at least partially proportional to our results," he said.

Zivojinovic, whose four-year mandate as TSS president expires this month, said in his own statement to Serbian media that he would run again.

"After what we have achieved this year, it is only natural that I will run for another four-year mandate so that we can complete the tasks ahead, namely building a national tennis centre and facilities for young talents," he said.

"I've had the privilege to be the TSS president in the most successful year for Serbian tennis and I have a realistic programme for the next four-year period, devoid of unrealistic promises which can't be kept."

Courtesy: Yahoo

Davis Cup team donate shirts

Novak, Viktor & Nenad are to donate their Davis Cup shirts to charity.  The money raised will go towards supporting reconstruction in the of city Kraljevo after the recent earthquake.

Here are the photos after the aution was announced in a Belgrade club called Mistique.  Let's hope they raise lots of money for this worthwhile cause.

Novak is now a stamp

The victorious Davis Cup team are now immortalised as national stamps to celebrate Serbia's "new sporting heroes".  All 4 members of the winning team, Novak Djokovic, Janko Tipsarevic, Viktor Troicki and Nenad Zimonjic are featured in action shots.  I wonder how long it will be before they run out of stock?