New Blog

Hi everyone

I have created a new blog for you to follow:

http://teamrafole.blogspot.co.uk/

Novak Djokovic - News Round-Up

According to 10Balls.com Novak has his eye on carrying the Serbian flag at the Olympic Opening Ceremony. Not too sure myself, I know this is not true but it does seem that Novak is everywhere in Serbia. Maybe give the honour to someone less known, afterall they seem to be good at other sports. Plus I would prefer that Novak prepares for the tournament itself than learning to how to carry a pole :-)

Another day, another honour.

"Serbian number one Novak Djokovic was awarded his country’s top award, Karadjordje’s Star of the 1st degree, by Serbian president, Boris Tadic. Djokovic spectacular performance last year led him lift this prestigious honour."....Full Article Here

If Novak ever forgets what he used to look like he can always visit the Wax Museum and have a look at himself. Yes, Novak is now a wax model! Have a look here

Remember when Novak visited No10 Downing Street? The Daily Mail ran a caption competition of a photo of Novak with British PM, David Cameron. Click here to see the winning caption, it's rather funny.

Novak Djokovic - News Round-up

Sorry for the lack of updates recently.  Here is the latest.

Novak is to open his defence of Miami on Saturday 24 March @ 20.00 Miami time according to 10Balls

Novak is nominated in the Hall of Games Awards.  Full details are here

Want a Novak watch?  Then check out this great design by Marko Petrovic

Novak was at the San Siro in Milan last night to watch AC Milan beat Arsenal 4-0 in the Champions League.

Novak Djokovic - The Tennis Times

Remember when I was granted Press Accreditation for the Paris Masters via The Tennis Times?

Well now they have developed a tennis Forum which is free to join.  The site has literally just open so if chatting with other tennis fans about all aspects of the game is your thing then sign up today :-)

Here is the link

Novak Djokovic - GQ Ace of The Year

Before we talk about Novak Djokovic, the best tennis player alive, let's take a minute to talk about the other guy. Pick a guy. Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, for instance. In the Wimbledon semifinals, July 1. It's as good an illustration as any of what happened this year in the sport, which is to say that it is simultaneously astonishing and inadequate. Officially, at this moment, Novak Djokovic was the No. 2 tennis player in the world. Tsonga was No. 19 but on a roll, having just beaten Roger Federer.

So it's the third set, Djokovic having won the first two. Tsonga delivers a nasty, hard serve, but Djokovic handles it, a sharp return from the left baseline. On the next exchange, Djokovic hits it gently, pulling Tsonga to the net. Then he sends Tsonga the other way, for a retreating over-the-shoulder backhand. Tsonga's been up and back, and Djokovic hasn't stirred from the baseline. A few hard baseline shots later: Djokovic moves up for a passing shot, and Tsonga lunges to fight it off, falling to the grass as he dumps it softly crosscourt—where Djokovic, sprawling to the court himself, sends it back. Tsonga, only half-risen, slashes at it and hits it long.

A few measly inches, and Tsonga would have had it. Could have had it. The rally was a magnificent display of daring and agility: the shift from power to guile and back again, the final flurry that put both men on the ground. Tsonga even went on to win that set, before falling in the fourth.

But fall he did. Djokovic scattered points and matches like that behind him all year long. It took another three days, and the final against Rafael Nadal, to elevate Djokovic to the ATP's No. 1 ranking. By then, however, the ATP's calculations were merely catching up to what was already true: Suddenly, amazingly, in 2011, Novak Djokovic became the most powerful force in tennis.

Tennis was not expecting this, a year ago. Tennis did not see the need. Tennis already had written the script, and it was a perfectly satisfactory one, if you liked tennis. There, in the near court, was Roger Federer, the most wonderful and successful player anyone had ever seen, slowly beginning his natural decline as he entered his 30s. Across the net was Rafael Nadal, possibly—debatably!—superior even to Federer. Certainly younger, in his mid-20s; sleek and powerful like a Grecian statue, or a tawny replica of a Grecian statue made of expensive Iberian ham.

They would play each other, Roger and Rafa, age trying to fend off youth with grace and guts. Their rivalry would be beautiful and moving; fans would choose sides, pull for Federer to bravely turn back the clock, tell themselves they were seeing the greatest tennis in history.

Novak Djokovic? Somebody had to lose to Federer or Nadal in the semis. So bring on the rawboned Serb: a nifty returner, a locker-room cutup, a guy one ineffable degree shy of championship material. He'd won the 2008 Australian Open, OK, and he'd beaten Federer in a wild match at the U.S. Open in 2010, but he seemed to have bobbed up to his natural level. Nadal was 16-7 against him, and 5-0 in tournament finals; Federer was 13-6. To wrap up their 2010 season, both of them beat him at the Barclays ATP World Tour Finals. He was 23 and ranked No. 3, and after helping pull off a Serbian victory in the Davis Cup final, he was able to close out the year on a two-match winning streak.

Then the calendar turned over, and so did the sport. Djokovic beat Nadal on grass, on clay, and on hard court, in California, Miami, Madrid, Rome, London, and New York. He beat Federer in Australia, Dubai, California—three consecutive tournaments—lost an epic match to him at the French Open, then beat him again in Flushing. Roger and Rafa seemed as excellent as ever. But Djokovic had crossed over into the world of the '85 Bears, Pedro Martinez, Usain Bolt. It didn't matter how good anyone else was.

What changed? Djokovic is in Monte Carlo, and someone has handed him a cell phone with a dying battery to answer questions about the inexplicable. "I've matured as a player," he says. "I've matured as a person. I know what to do. I know how to handle my life, my career." His training is the same as ever, he says. He has the same coaches he's had for years. He switched to a gluten-free diet, which he believes helps with his breathing and allergies, and which has introduced him to a worldwide community of people eager to recommend specialized restaurants, but he doesn't give credit to food magic.

"I just wasn't consistent enough, and I just wasn't actually believing enough that I could get it together and start winning more major events and be No. 1," he says.

Maturity, he says. During Wimbledon, as he closed in on the No. 1 ranking, he spent his time off the court trying to get a squirrel to eat out of his hand and tweeting about his progress. "The squirrel was one of my close friends in London," he says. "Unfortunately, I didn't see her after I won the title, because I wanted to celebrate it with her." You can also find video online of Djokovic's long, wry face jutting out from under a silky blonde wig, as he vamps his way through a fake commercial in the guise of Maria Sharapova.

The impressions, he says, were something he did as a young boy, after the famed tennis coach Jelena Gencic picked him out for training, the way she'd picked out Monica Seles. (This is not necessarily the biography of a regular-guy champion.) "As a kid I was creative," he says, "and I was dreaming of having one stroke out of each player who was on top of the tennis at that time, you know. Let's say Agassi's return, Sampras' serve and attitude on the court, and, I don't know, Rafter's or Edberg's volleys and forehand, and these are the strokes that I kind of imagined to have, and I impersonated those players, and that's how it started."

It's a goof, and it's not a goof. "I always try to have something that keeps my mind relaxed, keeps my mind a little bit off tennis," he says. The most electrifying thing about watching Djokovic, the quality that pulls in a casual viewer, is that even while playing at the highest level ever attained in his sport, some piece of his mind seems still to be functioning on the normal human plane. He has not turned his back on lesser life-forms, in the manner of a Michael Jordan, and vanished into a rat tunnel of competitive rage. He places another shot improbably—yet certainly—inside the line. He turns away and pumps his fist, not in abandon but with a sort of narrow-eyed, thoughtful glee. It's as if he's as awed as we are by what he can get away with.

Courtesy: GQ

Novak Djokovic - The Actor

Watch out Hollywood!!

2011 ATP-Season has been completed, as the World No.1; Novak Djokovic has arrived to the capital of Bulgaria’s, Sofia to debut his movie career in Expendables 2 along with the actor, Sylvester Stallone.

2011 Tennis player of the year, Novak Djokovic was invited by Sylvester Stallone to take part in Expendables 2.

On Wednesday, November 30, 2011, the world No.1 Serbiain, Djokovic has arrived to Sofia to take part in the shooting of cult action movie “The Expendables 2″.

Djokovic will play a minor role in the Up-coming movie along with Starring stars Sylvester tallone, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Bruce Willis, Jean-Claude van Damme and Chuck Norris, among others.

Serbian on Wednesday has played the role of his real self – the genius tennis player. However, the protectors did not let the fans or anybody to go near Stallone and Djokovic who worked in an abandoned store house near the airport.

The shooting of ‘Expendables 2’ will be continued until Friday, as the tennis great will be there in Bulgaria for a short period to play his role in the movie and the last part of movie will be completed in China, as the Jet Li will join the cast.

Meanwhile, Novak Djokovic is enjoying his holidays on the off-court in leisure hours as a true Balkan bohemian. He spent some time in a Sofia down town casino, drank two glasses of whiskey and a couple of shots in one of Berbatov’s favourite places.

Later, Djoker took the microphone and sang some popular Balkan tunes to the greatest pleasure of the rest of the visitors and singed autographs to fans.

Courtesy: LiveTennisGuide

Your Daily Dose of Djoko

Still over 24 hours until Novak takes to the court at the O2 arena. All the talk is about his shoulder and according to many reports he is stating that it is good to go.

ESPN report

One trophy Novak is guarenteed to pick up this week is the Year Ending World #1 Ranked Player trophy. Not sure what day he will recieve, I do believe it could be Wednesday after his second match but please don't quote me.

Andy Murray does not expect Novak to be able to repeat 2011. Concentrate on your own game please Andy.

Article in the Independent about Novak and next year.

Novak Djokovic - I Need Time

Novak Djokovic said Sunday he needs "some time" to rediscover top form after his historic season was interrupted by a six-week injury break.

The top-ranked Serb resumes at the Swiss Indoors with a 64-3 record this year, after a back muscle injury forced him to retire from a Davis Cup semifinals singles match against Juan Martin del Potro of Argentina on Sept. 18.

"Certainly, it's going to take me some time to get back to the right shape," Djokovic said.

The U.S. Open, Wimbledon and Australian Open champion faces 50th-ranked Belgian Xavier Malisse on Tuesday in Basel, the hometown tournament of 16-time Grand Slam singles winner Roger Federer.

"I don't expect myself to be 100 percent in this tournament but obviously I will try," said Djokovic, who beat Federer in the 2009 final here and lost their rematch a year ago.

Djokovic succumbed to pain that had flared up days earlier during his intense, 4-set victory over Rafael Nadal to earn his first U.S. Open trophy.

Though the muscle tear was "quite bad," Djokovic acknowledged the timing was a blessing.

"The injury is never welcome … but it came in the right moment, let's say. It gave me a little more time to rest and recover," he said. "I think it was the longest (break) I had in the last four or five years."

Djokovic said he had daily therapy on his back while missing the Asian tournament swing, and a shot at beating John McEnroe's dominant 82-3 season in 1984.

He now has just Basel, the Paris Masters and season-ending ATP World Tour Finals in London remaining, and must win all three to get close to the American's mark.

"I don't feel unbeatable and I don't think anybody is," Djokovic cautioned. "It's just a matter of the right momentum, the confidence you are building up.

"Sometimes you see the ball as a water melon. You feel so good on the court, you trust every shot that you have. I guess every top player has experienced that and has experienced the bad times as well."

The good times really rolled for Djokovic after leading Serbia to its first Davis Cup title last December in an emotional final in Belgrade against France.

His determination to help defend that title worsened the injury he brought home from New York.

"I decided to play Davis Cup which turned out to be a wrong decision somehow for my health," Djokovic said. "But I don't regret it because I do things as well with my heart and I wanted to play for the Davis Cup team."

The enforced break also took Djokovic out of the spotlight having become world number one on winning Wimbledon in July.

"I think I'm doing well handling everything that (comes) with the new position that I have. I haven't changed my professionalism or anything like that in the last couple of months," he said.

"We're trying to do things that we always have done and keep a simple life. That's the only way I can keep playing well and performing well and winning titles."

Djokovic believes that he "matured mentally" — on and off the court — to create a foundation for success.

"It took me maybe longer than I expected to really start believing that I can win Grand Slams next to Roger and Rafa," he said.

He has also talked of marrying his longtime girlfriend Jelena Ristic.

"Whoever says you have to make a line between private life and professional life, I don't think that's true," Djokovic said.

"It has to be balanced. You cannot run away from that fact. I got everything together in my private life as well."

Courtesy: USAToday

Novak Djokovic Is The Man - Ivanovic

Serbian former No. 1 Ana Ivanovic has nothing but admiration for compatriot Novak Djokovic as the current top man in the game makes his return to tennis after six weeks away with a place at the Swiss Indoors.

The Basel event in the hometown of Roger Federer is also drawing the interest of Ivanovic who lives in the city. "I wish I could do the same thing and learn," said the 2008 French Open winner whose game dropped off after her own triumph to leave her with a 26th ranking. "It's crazy, he is a hero in Serbia.

"What he has achieved the dream of every athlete. I'm so happy for him, because we are very close friends. I've seen him with the title win in Australia and I know how happy he is," Ivanovic told Switzerland's Sonntag Blick tabloid.

Amid the platitudes, Ivanovic also admitted that the winner of ten titles this season is keeping much of the secret to his success to himself and his team. But he did drop a hint to his fellow player: "He says it was a matter of being happy and enjoying what you do. Then he just starts making jokes."

Ivanovic, who is working to restore of parts of her own game that have gone to seed, ticked off the Djokovic attributes: "He has the best total package on the court - one of the best returns, a great backhand, his agility and his attitude."

Courtesy: TennisTalk

Novak Djokovic - Tennis Academy Named in His Honour

Starting from 1st of November, Academy named after the best Serbian and World tennis player- Novak Djokovic will begin its work.

In this Academy 20 the most talented players of the tennis will make their path to fame. Trainings will be held during winter days one of two times per day, on two indoor courts and under the supervision of a professional team. They will be held every working day while sparring matches will be played on weekends. The Academy includes all-day work, which means that students will have the training before and after noon, so a member could go to school and train once a day.

It’s planned to develop the Academy as one of the world's largest tennis center. Monthly membership is 800 to 1,300 euros depending on whether a member train once or twice a day.

Courtesy: expatserbia

Sorry for the neglect

But i'll be back in action once Novak steps back on court in Basel.

I am currently putting together a dossier on the players to take with me to Paris. Just little bits of info that may help me should I ask any questions in the pressers. Still cannot quite believe that I am going to be able to behind the scenes.

:-)

Novak Djokovic - No Regrets Over Kosovo Comments

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." 

Courtesy: Tennis.com

Novak Djokovic - Needs To Be More Humble - Emerson

Djokovic added the 2011 US Open title to his collection in AugustPA Photos

Tennis legend Roy Emerson has called on world No1 Novak Djokovic to show more "humility" on court, urging the Serb to behave more like Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal.

The 74-year-old, a 12-time Major winner, believes Djokovic's demeanour during matches threatens to undermine his success and has told him to challenge his rivals in terms of modesty – and not just titles.

"I would like to see him show a bit more humility like Nadal and Federer," Emerson said. "There is too much of this chest thumping and roaring when he wins.

"I would like to see him emulate the pair when it comes to humility as well as Grand Slam wins."

Djokovic now holds the Australian Open, Wimbledon and US Open titles after enjoying a stunning run of form in 2011 – and Emerson paid tribute to the 24-year-old's achievements during a season in which he has only lost two matches.

"Novak has really got his game together this year," continued Emerson, who won the Australian Open singles title six times during an illustrious career. "He is playing at a very high standard and his game shapes up well to Nadal.

"He doesn't have the same difficulty as Federer has with Nadal's forehand as he is well able to take a high backhand with his strong double-handed shots.

"Every time he is tested this year he seems well up to the task and he obviously got a tremendous boost from winning the Davis Cup last year."

Emerson was the fourth player to complete a 'career slam' and he has tipped Djokovic to soon join the illustrious list, with Roland Garros the only title the Serb now needs to complete his set.

"Because he is young and has been so consistent this year Djokovic will always be a possible Grand Slam winner as he can play well on all surfaces," he added. 

Courtesy: SportReview

Novak Djokovic - Do You Want To Teach Me?

I wish :-)  How much do you think Novak would charge for a lesson?  I am sure it would be worth the price.

http://www.mytennislounge.com/member_login/profile/index.php

I have been back on court now for 5 weeks and it is going rather well.  The link above is where I am posting all my lessons, taking advice from other players and just generally talking about casual/club level play.

Please feel free to join in and give your thoughts or experiences in playing tennis.

Thanks

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 - Season Is Not Over

Novak Djokovic has allayed fears that he will miss the rest of the ATP Tour season, but he has cast doubt over his availability for the Shanghai Masters and China Open.

Djokovic has been the stand-out player of 2011, securing the world No. 1 ranking thanks to three grand slam victories. The Serb's season has even been labelled "the greatest year in the history of our sport" by John McEnroe.

However, it is in danger of coming to a premature end after Djokovic attempted to put his tired body through a tense Davis Cup tie with Argentina over the weekend. He was forced to retire injured when trailing Juan Martin Del Potro, citing a back injury.

There were initial fears that Djokovic may miss the unofficial fifth slam of the year at the ATP World Tour Finals in London, but the world's best player plans a quick recovery.

"Not as serious as we have thought," Djokovic revealed Monday. "It's a partial rupture of a back muscle that deserves rest. I carried the injury since the US Open. It gradually got worse through the tournament, and I felt sharp pain in the finals."

Looking ahead into the calendar Djokovic could not confirm his participation in forthcoming Shanghai or Beijing events, but he did state his desire to play if the injury heals quickly. Certainly he intends to be back to 100 per cent fitness for the World Tour Finals, which start at the O2 Arena on November 20.

"I hope I will recover by then," Djokovic said, referring to the October Shanghai Masters. "Anyway, I won't risk the worsening of the injury and that's why it is hard to predict for how long I will rest."

Courtesy: ESPN

Novak Djokovic - My Tennis Lounge Preview

Remember we telling you all about the tennis Forum I use, MyTennisLounge?

Well 2 members have taken time to give their thoughts on today's final. I have copied the article here. It us free to join the Forum & takes less than 5 minutes. Come & join us today :)

US OPEN FINAL

Aurthur Ashe Stadium:
Djokovic (1) vs Nadal (2)
Time- 21:00 BST

Stats:

Head to Head: Nadal 16-12 Djokovic
Last meeting: Djokovic 6-4 6-1 1-6 6-3 (Wimbledon)
Titles this year: Djokovic 9-3 Nadal

Path to the final:

Djokovic-

R1- Niland 6-0 5-1 (R)
R2- Berlocq 6-0 6-0 6-2
R3- Davydenko 6-3 6-4 6-2
R4- Dolgopolov 7-6 6-4 6-2
QF- Tipsarevic 7-6 6-7 6-0 3-0 (R)
SF- Federer 6-7 4-6 6-3 6-2 7-5

Nadal-

R1- Golubev 6-3 7-6 7-5
R2- Mahut 6-2 6-2 (R)
R3- Nalbandian 7-6 6-1 7-5
R4- Muller 7-6 6-1 6-2
QF- Roddick 6-2 6-1 6-3
SF- Murray 6-4 6-2 3-6 6-2

TOM's analysis:

Rafael Nadal’s performance was a long way off his best coming into the US Open. After his confidence destroying loss in the Wimbledon final, he lost to Croatia’s Ivan Dodig in R1 of Montreal. Cincinatti wasn’t much better losing to Mardy Fish in the QF. That is why some may be surprised to see Nadal’s name in the final of the US Open again.

Nadal was poor in his opening match, but came through after saving several set points against Golubev. Mahut’s retirement helped him in Round 2, but he did discover his form in Round 3, coming through a tough match against Nalbandian. In Round 4, Nadal went down a break early on to Muller, before rain stopped play but Nadal lost just 6 more games the next day. Roddick was Nadal’s next opponent in the QF. It was Nadal who broke straight away though, and gave a masterclass in passing shots against the big serving American, to set up a semi final against Andy Murray. Murray’s game plan was unclear for the first two sets, before an aggressive Andy turned up for the third set. Nadal gradually picked up his level again, to defeat the error-strewn and angry World No. 4 in four sets. His past two wins could give Rafa the confidence needed to win his second US Open title.

How he can win:

Obviously Nadal will need to serve well, his second serve has been particularly vunerable in his meetings against Djokovic this year. It is also crucial he wins the longer rallies as Djokovic has done a good job of coming through in the longer rallies against Nadal this year. Normally with Nadal, you’d expect the first set to be the deciding factor, but given his losses in Indian Wells and Miami, I would say Nadal needs the first two sets to win. Nadal needs to be aggressive as well and take advantage of Djokovic’s inevitable tiredness from his epic against Roger yesterday. If he can do all of these, he will have a chance.

AMRITIA's analysis:

Novak Djokovic looks simply unbeatable this year. In total the matches he has lost equal the number of Grand Slam wins this year-2. He will be very keen on making that three on Monday. After coming to the US with Wimbledon in his bag Djokovic started confidently in Montreal. He was tested by Fish in the final but managed to come through in 3 sets. Next week in Cincinatti it was obvious Novak was fatigued and had a shoulder problem. He scraped past Monfils and Berdych but his level was not high enough to survive against Murray and he had to reitre. When it came to the US Open Novak looked compltely refreshed after a weeks break. He was clinical against Niland and Berlocq and was not troubled by Davydenko. Against Dolgopolov in R4 he struggled for a set (had to come through an epic tiebreak) but came through eventually without dropping a set. In the QF he faced a barrage of attacking tennis against Tipsarevic for the first 2 sets. With the score at a set a piece Tipsarevic broke down with his injury problems and had to reitre in the 4th set after a bagel in the 3rd. His SF final match was against Federer. And it was epic. Djokovic somehow managed to come through after being 2 sets to love down and 2 match points down in the final set. Djokovic danced in delight after the match: he was through to the final.

How he can win:

Nadal has been in Djokovic's pocket all year. He has already beaten him in 5 finals including in the Wimbledon final. If he stickts to the same aggressive tactics and keeps on dominating the baseline rallies he will fancy his chances.

TOM's final verdict:

The start is crucial. Both players are in great form and have a lot at stake. For Nadal the mental demons from his previous five losses must be completely banished. Djokovic is looking to secure his No. 1 spot and come closer to the career grand slam, while Nadal is looking to defend a hard court grand slam title for the first time and win his second grand slam of the year. Djokovic will have a great self-belief, but I believe that a determined Nadal will take confidence from his performance so far and end a five match losing streak against the World No. 1 and come through in four entertaining sets.
Nadal 76 62 46 75

AMRITIA's final verdict:

Djokovic's 5 wins over Nadal this year will give him a lot of confidence and belief. He knows he has the game to beat Nadal on any surface now and will trust himself in the big moments. Meanwhile Nadal has been very poor in the important points against Djokovic this year. He needs to step it up and be more aggressive if wants to have a chance.
Djokovic 6-4 7-5 6-4

Thanks for reading

Courtesy: MyTennisLounge

Novak Djokovic - Signs Up With Piguet

Remember the visit Novak & Jelena took back to the Spring? This seems to be the result of that visit.


Novak Djokovic, the world’s top-ranked men’s tennis player, joined team Audemars Piguet as its latest brand ambassador. According to the Swiss watchmaker, the partnership began when Djokovic paid a “discreet visit” to the company several months ago. “I have discovered a new passion for fine watchmaking, and I truly admire both the traditional and modern aspects of the work accomplished by Audemars Piguet,” Djokovic said.

The tennis player is the latest to join the luxury company’s stable of brand ambassadors, which includes basketball player LeBron James, Formula One race car driver Michael Schumacher, soccer player Leo Messi, cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar and golfers Lee Westwood and Rory Mcllroy.

Courtesy: wwd.com

Novak Djokovic - UNICEF Ambassador

UNICEF announced on Monday at the US Open that the current world No. 1 ranked tennis playerNovak Djokovic will serve as an Ambassador for UNICEF in Serbia. The partnership will allow Djokovic, a native of Serbia, to continue his push to defend children's rights and provide access to early childhood education.

"I am very honored to partner with UNICEF to help increase awareness for the importance of early childhood education," said Djokovic. "I look forward to working with UNICEF to help make a difference in the lives of young children throughout Serbia, particularly those who have fewer opportunities to learn and develop to their full potential."

"Of course, I would like to add that, you know, through my work as well with UNICEF I would like to help Serbian children to realize their dreams, you know, because I have been dreaming myself all my life to become the world's best tennis player, and I think anything is possible if you really believe that you can achieve it.

"Novak Djokovic is a natural fit for UNICEF," said Rima Salah, Deputy Executive Director (a.i.). "He cares deeply about the welfare of Serbian children, bringing the same passion and enthusiasm for his career on the court to addressing issues affecting children."

Djokovic's work as a National Ambassador will kick off with a focus on early childhood education. The importance of investing in learning opportunities for young children is well known, with abundant evidence that laying solid foundations in the early years results in better life outcomes for the individual child and society as a whole. This is the case for all children, but even more striking for children from disadvantaged socio-economic backgrounds. In Serbia, less than half of all children under-five attend early education programs, dropping to less than one-in-ten for those from vulnerable groups. Expanding early education to include all children is increasingly recognized as a key priority in Serbia.

In accepting the appointment, Djokovic said, "Through my work with UNICEF, I want to help Serbian children realize their dreams. I want to help them understand that they have rights and that those rights should be protected. I want them to believe that anything is possible."

Djokovic began playing tennis at age four and made his pro debut at 16. Since then, he has won three Grand Slam singles titles, the 2008 and 2011 Australian Open championships and the 2011 Wimbledon Championship, becoming the first player representing Serbia to win a Grand Slam singles title and the youngest player in the open era to have reached the semi-finals of all four Grand Slam events, separately and consecutively. Amongst other major titles, he also won the 2010 Davis Cup.

Courtesy: TennisPanorama

Novak Djokovic - Or Should That Be Podovic?

Lots of stories around about the funny looking egg shaped chamber Novak has been using recently.

Here are a few articles & video

WallStreetJournal

Video

FoxSports

USAToday