ROGERS CUP MEN
August 14, 2011
Novak Djokovic
MONTREAL, QUEBEC
N. DJOKOVIC/M. Fish
6-2, 3-6, 6-4
THE MODERATOR: Novak is the first world No. 1 to win an ATP tournament in his debut since Pete Sampras in 1993, Hong Kong. Also his 10th overall ATP Masters 1000 title, ninth on the season.
Questions for Novak.
Q. You spoke all week about this being your first tournament at No. 1. Each match there seemed to be a moment where your opponent looked up, remembered that it was you, got tight, gave you some additional opportunities to win the matches. How much fun is it to have the Djokovic effect, the world No. 1 effect?
NOVAK DJOKOVIC: Well, it is probably a little mental advantage when you get on the court knowing that you're the player to beat. But, on the other hand, it adds the pressure and expectations as well because you are a favorite to win each match you play, whoever you play against.
It's a right balance in the end, you know, trying to just think about the match, think about just the next point, you know, figuring out tactics to win against the opponent that day, not thinking about the position that you have or whatever.
But today I started off really well. I played a first set and couple of games better. I should have made that break in the second set. I didn't. I got him back in the match.
I did get tight in the end. It was even match. He served well. He was moving well. I played one good return game in the third set, and it was enough.
Q. Did you feel a little bit more human today on the court that he had more chances to beat you than usual?
NOVAK DJOKOVIC: I am human. I can definitely assure you of that (smiling).
But, yeah, it was a close match, for sure. A couple of points, one good return game in the third set, decided the winner. But it's a finals. You can somehow expect that the players are evenly matched and they both want to win the title badly. This is something that I was aware of before the match.
I knew that he is not going to give me the match and the win. I knew that I have to fight for it. Up to the last moment, you didn't really know who is going to win. But I believed I could do it.
Q. Did you have a problem in the first set? You were looking over your shoulder.
NOVAK DJOKOVIC: Throughout this tournament I carried little problems with the shoulder. But it's okay. Nothing major.
Q. You seemed at times to be wearing your heart on your sleeve, trying to pump yourself and stoke yourself. What are you saying to yourself in a situation like that? How often do you throw the shoes?
NOVAK DJOKOVIC: Well, if I do have a couple of shoes, then I throw one.
Yeah, I was going through a lot of emotions. I think I was more nervous than in the previous matches today. Well, it was the final. There was a lot of tension going on. It was a very close match.
He wanted to win that match as much as I did. That's why, you know, we were quite intense. It was a mental fight, as well. It was not just physical.
But, you know, I managed to hold my composure when I needed to. I think it was decisive.
Q. You were talking about your shoulder that was bothering you in this tournament. Having as great a run as you are having right now, winning tournaments, is it taking a toll physically and mentally on your health?
NOVAK DJOKOVIC: Not so much anymore because I just know what to do now in order to prepare myself. Each day I'm spending a lot of time working, recovering, doing different kinds of therapies and stuff to get myself in the best possible shape.
I think my scheduling this year is really good even though, as you said, I played many matches. I think I've had necessary rest of two weeks after Wimbledon. So I had more than enough time to get recovered.
Q. How much more satisfying was it that it was your first tournament at No. 1 and then you win it?
NOVAK DJOKOVIC: Yeah, it was a big satisfaction.
Q. When he congratulated you at the end of the match, he seemed to make you laugh. What did he tell you?
NOVAK DJOKOVIC: Well, we are very good friends off the court, so we joke around all the time. He told me that I should give him one of these tournaments sometime.
But, no, it was great playing him. I'm happy to see him doing well. I think he's experiencing the best time of his career in last two years.
Q. You won everything in Masters Series except you didn't compete in Monte-Carlo. Do you regret missing Monte-Carlo?
NOVAK DJOKOVIC: Yeah, I did regret because I live there. I consider it as my home tournament.
But it was I think the right decision. If I look at it now it was the right decision because I took some time off after Miami. I had very exhausting matches there, tournaments. I needed to take off to get ready for clay.
Q. In this streak you're on, how have you avoided not having a letdown, a bad day?
NOVAK DJOKOVIC: Well, I guess it's just all about having positive attitude on the court every day, waking up every day wanting to improve, wanting to win, being determined, being professional. It's that desire and motivation that keeps me going. Every match I play, I try to win, regardless which match is it or whoever is across the net.
I'm sure that there is going to be, you know, bad days. I just feel that now I'm playing the best tennis of my life. This year by far has been the best in my career. I'm enjoying it. That confidence that I'm carrying helps me a lot.
Q. At times during the match you looked frustrated. You were making gestures like, What can I do? What was frustrating you at that time, especially in the second set?
NOVAK DJOKOVIC: There were frustrations. I wasn't using my opportunities. I was maybe too defensive in some points. I mean, it's normal. It's nothing strange about me, you know. I like to show my emotions on the court. That's just who I am.
Q. Can you be better?
NOVAK DJOKOVIC: I think you can always be better. You can always improve. You can always work on some things, so yes.
Q. What stroke?
NOVAK DJOKOVIC: Well, I think I don't need to change in particularly the style of the game or just make some major changes in my game because I think this game is good enough, you know, to play well and to win tournaments on any surface. I just need to make some adjustments, maybe getting to the net more often, working on my serve to get more free points there.
It changes all the time. You cannot perform your best always. There are matches where you play just perfect and there are matches where you don't feel well. It changes day-to-day.
Q. You're setting records all the time. Greg mentioned in the beginning that you set another one today by becoming the first person in history to win five Masters Series tournaments. Does that mean something special to you?
NOVAK DJOKOVIC: I mean, history making, of course it's special. Of course, it's an honor and privilege to be part of the history of the sport that I love and that I play.
Q. Two weeks ago you were talking about a certain fashion show. You like to joke around, do impressions. You were kind of quiet this tournament. Is there a specific reason?
NOVAK DJOKOVIC: I think it's because you haven't seen me. As I go out from here, I'm not quiet, believe me (smiling).
But I could not come to the fashion show. I finished off my day late. But if I did, I would make it fun for sure. I'm sure the guys had lots of fun. They told me it was cool.
Yeah, I like to enjoy things. Why not? Something that keeps your mind a little bit off tennis, because tennis is the longest season in sport, very requiring sport. It's always mental each day. You have to be professional 100% on the court, work hours and hours, play matches. People don't even realize the free time that we don't have, things that we are sacrificing to be here.
Whenever I have the opportunity to experience something else, why not? I enjoy it.
Q. Your impersonations are YouTube legend. Does anyone dare poke fun at the world's No. 1 player?
NOVAK DJOKOVIC: Tipsarevic did this year. There's a Monte-Carlo player show that goes on each year. It's about players taking a part in that, let's say, theater show, impersonating others, making fun of celebrities or tennis players, athletes, whatever. I've been taking part there already five, six years in a row. This year Janko did a great job of impersonating me actually. He did a great job. And he's planning to do it again next year, so...
Q. Earlier there was a question for the tournament director about young player development in Canada. What can you tell us about young player development in Serbia?
NOVAK DJOKOVIC: I think Serbia has lots of talent in tennis, in sport in general. Of course, by the success that they have, we can see that that's true.
We are trying, of course us tennis players as well, to contribute in some ways to the development of tennis players in our country, to try to create a system and use our knowledge and experience to help the young ones coming up.
I think it's much better than it used to be because tennis didn't have any tradition in our country. But now it's being probably No. 1 sport in our country. There is a lot of interest in kids, federations, clubs to create more champions. I'm sure we will have that.
Q. Does it bother you in any way that Federer or Nadal would probably for the average person still be the better-known tennis player than you?
NOVAK DJOKOVIC: No.
Q. How come?
NOVAK DJOKOVIC: Why I should be bothered by that?
Q. Because you're No. 1.
NOVAK DJOKOVIC: So I'm enjoying my moment. I don't need to think about anybody else.
Q. What's your next big goal on the horizon that you want to achieve?
NOVAK DJOKOVIC: Yeah, I mean, look, there is this motivation each day I play to win. I'm still 24. I still have lots of desire to win all the time tournaments that I play on practically. I play every match 100%. That's just the way I was learned to do and that's the way I always have played.
There are some goals. Of course, US Open, that's somewhere where I want to perform my best eventually, try to get another shot at a title. Then another Davis Cup would be great this year.
Q. The Monte-Carlo show. How accurate was Janko's impression of you and did he make you laugh?
NOVAK DJOKOVIC: He made me cry laughing. It was fantastic really. It was great. It's too bad that people around the world don't get to see that. We will work on that. We'll try to get it more public so you can actually see the funnier side of players.
Q. Novak, we all get nervous when we play tennis. You said you got tight. What kind of conversations do you have with yourself when you're getting a little bit nervous like that?
NOVAK DJOKOVIC: Step in, you fool, hit that shot!
Well, I'm trying to encourage myself, of course. There are times when I am negative to myself. But, look, you know, I think I did hold my composure in important moments today, and I played well when I needed to.
Q. Are you definitely going to play Cincinnati?
NOVAK DJOKOVIC: I am going to play Cincinnati, of course, yes. Looking forward. I'm going to play some golf first, then some tennis.
FastScripts Transcript by ASAP Sports
Showing posts with label Montreal. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Montreal. Show all posts
Novak Djokovic Wins In Montreal
MONTREAL (AP) — Top-ranked Novak Djokovic beat Mardy Fish 6-2, 3-6, 6-4 to win the Rogers Cup on Sunday for his ninth tournament title of the year and record fifth in a season in an ATP Masters event.
Djokovic, the Australian Open and Wimbledon champion, is now 29-0 this year on hard courts and 53-1 overall. He also won the Rogers Cup in 2007.
"I am human — I can definitely assure you of that," the 24-year-old Serb said. "I guess it's just all about having a positive attitude on the court every day, waking up every day wanting to improve, wanting to win, being determined, being professional. It's that desire and motivation that keeps me going. Every match I play, I try to win, regardless which match is it or whoever is across the net."
The sixth-seeded Fish was the only player to win a set a set against Djokovic this week.
Fish has lost all seven career meetings with Djokovic, but gave the top seed a battle with his mix of baseline and attacking play.
"I put myself in a lot of positions to have chances," Fish said. "I just didn't execute on the big points. There's a reason why (Djokovic) has won so many matches this year. He's got to be leading the tour in break points saved, I'm sure, among other things. Those are huge."
Djokovic, who played night matches this week, looked uncomfortable from the outset in the afternoon match and needed to save six break points to get through the opening set.
He saved his eighth of the match before Fish finally broke him with a perfect forehand down the line to take a 3-2 lead in the second set. Djokovic looked lost as he was broken again to close out the set.
But Djokovic was near-perfect on his service in the final set, although he needed four break points, one of which he challenged a call and lost, before finally putting away Fish.
"It was a close match, for sure," Djokovic said. "A couple of points, one good return game in the third set, decided the winner. But it's a final. I knew that he is not going to give me the match and the win. I knew that I have to fight for it. Up to the last moment, you didn't really know who is going to win. But I believed I could do it. I had composure when I needed to. I think that was decisive."
Djokovic was playing his first event since winning Wimbledon, while Fish has been the hottest player of the hard-court season leading to the U.S. Open later this month. He has reached finals in three straight tournaments in the last month, winning in Atlanta.
In the doubles final, Nenad Zimonjic of Serbia and Michael Llodra of France beat American brothers Bob and Mike Bryan 6-4, 6-7, 10-5.
Courtesy: USA Today
Djokovic, the Australian Open and Wimbledon champion, is now 29-0 this year on hard courts and 53-1 overall. He also won the Rogers Cup in 2007.
"I am human — I can definitely assure you of that," the 24-year-old Serb said. "I guess it's just all about having a positive attitude on the court every day, waking up every day wanting to improve, wanting to win, being determined, being professional. It's that desire and motivation that keeps me going. Every match I play, I try to win, regardless which match is it or whoever is across the net."
The sixth-seeded Fish was the only player to win a set a set against Djokovic this week.
Fish has lost all seven career meetings with Djokovic, but gave the top seed a battle with his mix of baseline and attacking play.
"I put myself in a lot of positions to have chances," Fish said. "I just didn't execute on the big points. There's a reason why (Djokovic) has won so many matches this year. He's got to be leading the tour in break points saved, I'm sure, among other things. Those are huge."
Djokovic, who played night matches this week, looked uncomfortable from the outset in the afternoon match and needed to save six break points to get through the opening set.
He saved his eighth of the match before Fish finally broke him with a perfect forehand down the line to take a 3-2 lead in the second set. Djokovic looked lost as he was broken again to close out the set.
But Djokovic was near-perfect on his service in the final set, although he needed four break points, one of which he challenged a call and lost, before finally putting away Fish.
"It was a close match, for sure," Djokovic said. "A couple of points, one good return game in the third set, decided the winner. But it's a final. I knew that he is not going to give me the match and the win. I knew that I have to fight for it. Up to the last moment, you didn't really know who is going to win. But I believed I could do it. I had composure when I needed to. I think that was decisive."
Djokovic was playing his first event since winning Wimbledon, while Fish has been the hottest player of the hard-court season leading to the U.S. Open later this month. He has reached finals in three straight tournaments in the last month, winning in Atlanta.
In the doubles final, Nenad Zimonjic of Serbia and Michael Llodra of France beat American brothers Bob and Mike Bryan 6-4, 6-7, 10-5.
Courtesy: USA Today
Novak Djokovic - Semi Final Press Conference Transcript
A little late...
N. DJOKOVIC/J. Tsonga
64, 30 (ret.)
An interview with:
NOVAK DJOKOVIC
THE MODERATOR: Tomorrow Novak will attempt to become the first player to win five ATP World Masters 1000 in a season and he's also trying to win his 10th ATP World Masters 1000 and his ninth title of the season.
Q. It's unprecedented to win five, much less five in a row. How special would that be?
NOVAK DJOKOVIC: I think every title is special in its way. Every tournament I play I only think about that certain tournament. So that was the case here. I was taking one match at a time. I reached another final, which makes me really happy.
I did win this tournament before, which helps a little bit. I really like playing in Montréal. I think the atmosphere is really good. The crowd is coming in big numbers. Obviously I'm lifting the level of my game each match, which is important prior to tomorrow's challenge.
Q. Are you surprised at just how much success, the sustained level you're able to produce at the moment? Does it come as a surprise to you?
NOVAK DJOKOVIC: No, it doesn't come by surprise. I have been playing this well throughout the whole season. So I'm just trying to keep that up.
I put a lot of hours on the court and off the court working hard. So it's not something that comes with the talent or something like that, it's really hard work and dedication.
Q. Coming into the match, did you know that Tsonga was hurting with his body?
NOVAK DJOKOVIC: Only the last game, on 20. I noticed that he's not moving really well. But aside that, I don't think before he was having some troubles.
But, you know, he told me that he carries this injury for a while. It's unfortunate for him. I hope he recovers for next week.
Q. Do you feel you're going into the US Open as the favorite, as the guy to beat?
NOVAK DJOKOVIC: Well, next to Federer and Nadal, yeah, I mean, I've been playing incredible tennis this year. I will be probably one of the favorites.
But this is nothing different from what I have experienced in Grand Slams in last couple of years. Being one of the top players, you always have these expectations.
My approach will not be different that's for sure to this Grand Slam. I will try to win every match I play on, not change any routine that I have. If I will have different attention from people from the media in US Open, that's something I don't know. It's still very early for me to talk about how I feel as No. 1 because I just became a couple weeks ago No. 1.
But I'm really happy to be able to perform this well, you know, in the first tournament after a long break.
Q. Can you comment on the way your opponent was playing before he got hurt?
NOVAK DJOKOVIC: Look, we played I think highquality tennis for an hour, first set. It was even. I think I had more chances on his service games than he had on mine. I was returning really well, had a lot of break ball opportunities. The break came at the right time.
When you have a set advantage, obviously mentally, you know, it gives you a big relief. You start playing even better in the second set. You know, it was important for me to try to use the opportunity in his first service games in the start of the second set and make a constant pressure on his service with my returns. That's what I did. I made the break.
Overall I think I've been playing last two matches on a very, very high level. You know, obviously I want to keep that up.
Q. Monfils described his last match with you with very wide eyes as 'push, push, push, boom' against you. Mardy said he's expecting more 'bang, bang, bang' at the net. What are you expecting tomorrow, some 'push, boom' or 'bang, bang'?
NOVAK DJOKOVIC: Good way to put it, I still haven't heard that (laughter).
I don't think my game will significantly change, you know, tomorrow. I will play the game that I always play: aggressive from the baseline, trying to take every chance to go for the shots.
But there is different tactics with every player, that's for sure. Mardy is one of the rare players that plays serve and volley nowadays. I think these conditions, which are a bit faster, are quite suitable to his style of game. He's been winning his matches quite comfortably. He's been serving extremely well.
But I think if I return well, as well as I did in the last two matches, I have a good chance.
Q. Last time you played him in Miami in the semis, you beat him 63, 61, an easy win. Do you expect this one to be tougher tomorrow?
NOVAK DJOKOVIC: Conditions are different, as I said. Miami, the bounce is bigger than here. It's slower than this surface. I've been playing night matches. He's been playing day matches. Tomorrow we play at 3:00. Maybe it's going to be hot.
As I said, it's important when you play a player like Mardy to hold your composure, to be patient and wait, wait for the chance on his service games, try to have high percentage of the first serves and stay aggressive.
I know he's going to come to the net. I know he's going to take his chances. He's been playing always like that.
FastScripts by ASAP Sports
Courtesy: Offical Website
N. DJOKOVIC/J. Tsonga
64, 30 (ret.)
An interview with:
NOVAK DJOKOVIC
THE MODERATOR: Tomorrow Novak will attempt to become the first player to win five ATP World Masters 1000 in a season and he's also trying to win his 10th ATP World Masters 1000 and his ninth title of the season.
Q. It's unprecedented to win five, much less five in a row. How special would that be?
NOVAK DJOKOVIC: I think every title is special in its way. Every tournament I play I only think about that certain tournament. So that was the case here. I was taking one match at a time. I reached another final, which makes me really happy.
I did win this tournament before, which helps a little bit. I really like playing in Montréal. I think the atmosphere is really good. The crowd is coming in big numbers. Obviously I'm lifting the level of my game each match, which is important prior to tomorrow's challenge.
Q. Are you surprised at just how much success, the sustained level you're able to produce at the moment? Does it come as a surprise to you?
NOVAK DJOKOVIC: No, it doesn't come by surprise. I have been playing this well throughout the whole season. So I'm just trying to keep that up.
I put a lot of hours on the court and off the court working hard. So it's not something that comes with the talent or something like that, it's really hard work and dedication.
Q. Coming into the match, did you know that Tsonga was hurting with his body?
NOVAK DJOKOVIC: Only the last game, on 20. I noticed that he's not moving really well. But aside that, I don't think before he was having some troubles.
But, you know, he told me that he carries this injury for a while. It's unfortunate for him. I hope he recovers for next week.
Q. Do you feel you're going into the US Open as the favorite, as the guy to beat?
NOVAK DJOKOVIC: Well, next to Federer and Nadal, yeah, I mean, I've been playing incredible tennis this year. I will be probably one of the favorites.
But this is nothing different from what I have experienced in Grand Slams in last couple of years. Being one of the top players, you always have these expectations.
My approach will not be different that's for sure to this Grand Slam. I will try to win every match I play on, not change any routine that I have. If I will have different attention from people from the media in US Open, that's something I don't know. It's still very early for me to talk about how I feel as No. 1 because I just became a couple weeks ago No. 1.
But I'm really happy to be able to perform this well, you know, in the first tournament after a long break.
Q. Can you comment on the way your opponent was playing before he got hurt?
NOVAK DJOKOVIC: Look, we played I think highquality tennis for an hour, first set. It was even. I think I had more chances on his service games than he had on mine. I was returning really well, had a lot of break ball opportunities. The break came at the right time.
When you have a set advantage, obviously mentally, you know, it gives you a big relief. You start playing even better in the second set. You know, it was important for me to try to use the opportunity in his first service games in the start of the second set and make a constant pressure on his service with my returns. That's what I did. I made the break.
Overall I think I've been playing last two matches on a very, very high level. You know, obviously I want to keep that up.
Q. Monfils described his last match with you with very wide eyes as 'push, push, push, boom' against you. Mardy said he's expecting more 'bang, bang, bang' at the net. What are you expecting tomorrow, some 'push, boom' or 'bang, bang'?
NOVAK DJOKOVIC: Good way to put it, I still haven't heard that (laughter).
I don't think my game will significantly change, you know, tomorrow. I will play the game that I always play: aggressive from the baseline, trying to take every chance to go for the shots.
But there is different tactics with every player, that's for sure. Mardy is one of the rare players that plays serve and volley nowadays. I think these conditions, which are a bit faster, are quite suitable to his style of game. He's been winning his matches quite comfortably. He's been serving extremely well.
But I think if I return well, as well as I did in the last two matches, I have a good chance.
Q. Last time you played him in Miami in the semis, you beat him 63, 61, an easy win. Do you expect this one to be tougher tomorrow?
NOVAK DJOKOVIC: Conditions are different, as I said. Miami, the bounce is bigger than here. It's slower than this surface. I've been playing night matches. He's been playing day matches. Tomorrow we play at 3:00. Maybe it's going to be hot.
As I said, it's important when you play a player like Mardy to hold your composure, to be patient and wait, wait for the chance on his service games, try to have high percentage of the first serves and stay aggressive.
I know he's going to come to the net. I know he's going to take his chances. He's been playing always like that.
FastScripts by ASAP Sports
Courtesy: Offical Website
Novak Djokovic - Final Number 9.
Oh Jo :-(. I do like Tsonga as I think he is a very good player, very entertaining. But he is so unlucky with injuries :-(
Well done No1e on final #9, AJDE!!
Match report:
MONTREAL - Top-ranked Novak Djokovic advanced to the Rogers Cup final when Jo-Wilfried Tsonga retired from their semifinal match Saturday night because of a right arm injury.
Djokovic, who led 6-4, 3-0 when Tsonga retired, will face sixth-seeded Mardy Fish on Sunday.
"I don't think my game will significantly change," Djokovic said about Fish's serve-and-volley game. "I will play the game I always play - aggressive from the baseline, trying to take every chance to go for the shots.
"But there are different tactics with every player. Mardy is one of the rare players that plays serve and volley nowadays. I think these conditions, which are a bit faster, are quite suitable to his style of game. He's been winning his matches quite comfortably. He's been serving extremely well."
The Australian Open and Wimbledon champion playing his first tournament since taking the top spot in the world ranking, Djokovic improved his match record for the year to 52-1, including 28-0 on hard courts.
Djokovic, the Rogers Cup winner in 2007, is seeking his ninth tournament win of the year and his record fifth of the season in an ATP Masters 1,000 event.
Tsonga, who took Djokovic to four tight sets in the Wimbledon semifinals, indicated to the chair umpire there was a problem with his arm after losing his first service game of the second set.
After Djokovic held service despite his first sloppy game of the match that went twice to deuce, the Frenchman was examined by a doctor at courtside and decided to stop playing.
Tsonga said an ultrasound showed no tear in the muscle, but he was unable to continue. He said the arm had been hurting for three days but he opted to play on. He hopes it will heal in time for a tournament next week in Cincinnati and, if not, by the U.S. Open at the end of the month.
"The pain was worse day after day, hour after hour, on the court," he said. "You know, I don't have the pretension to try to beat Novak without my arm."
The crowd in the packed grandstands at Uniprix Stadium booed, but then cheered lustily for Djokovic, who had made several spectacular shots as he dominated his service games against the hard-hitting Tsonga.
Earlier, Fish advanced to his third straight ATP Tour final, beating Janko Tipsarevic 6-3, 6-4. Fish has won 11 of his last 12 matches, winning at Atlanta last month and reaching the final two weeks ago in Los Angeles. He's trying to become the first American to win the Rogers Cup since Andy Roddick in 2003.
"I win a lot of matches because I can play a lot of different styles, I think," the 29-year-old Fish said. "A faster surface like this is going to suit my game perfectly - a hard court where I've got my footing pretty good. My serve moves through the court well. You can come in. You can stay back a little bit, as well. But to be this successful, I have to play really well, too, and I've done that."
Djokovic beat Fish 6-3, 6-1 in their last meeting in Florida in March.
"Conditions are different," Djokovic said. "In Miami, the bounce is (higher) than here, it's slower than this surface. I've been playing night matches, he's been playing day matches. Tomorrow we play (at 3 p.m.). Maybe it's going to be hot.
"It's important when you play a player like Mardy to hold your composure, to be patient and wait for the chance on his service games, try to have high percentage of the first serves and stay aggressive. I know he's going to come to the net. I know he's going to take his chances. He's always played like that."
In the doubles semifinals, top-seeded American brothers Bob and Mike Bryan beat Tomas Berdych and Floridan Mayer 6-2, 6-1, and Michael Llodra and Nenad Zimonjic topped Daniel Nestor and Max Mirnyi 6-3, 6-4.
Courtesy: NBC
Well done No1e on final #9, AJDE!!
Match report:
MONTREAL - Top-ranked Novak Djokovic advanced to the Rogers Cup final when Jo-Wilfried Tsonga retired from their semifinal match Saturday night because of a right arm injury.
Djokovic, who led 6-4, 3-0 when Tsonga retired, will face sixth-seeded Mardy Fish on Sunday.
"I don't think my game will significantly change," Djokovic said about Fish's serve-and-volley game. "I will play the game I always play - aggressive from the baseline, trying to take every chance to go for the shots.
"But there are different tactics with every player. Mardy is one of the rare players that plays serve and volley nowadays. I think these conditions, which are a bit faster, are quite suitable to his style of game. He's been winning his matches quite comfortably. He's been serving extremely well."
The Australian Open and Wimbledon champion playing his first tournament since taking the top spot in the world ranking, Djokovic improved his match record for the year to 52-1, including 28-0 on hard courts.
Djokovic, the Rogers Cup winner in 2007, is seeking his ninth tournament win of the year and his record fifth of the season in an ATP Masters 1,000 event.
Tsonga, who took Djokovic to four tight sets in the Wimbledon semifinals, indicated to the chair umpire there was a problem with his arm after losing his first service game of the second set.
After Djokovic held service despite his first sloppy game of the match that went twice to deuce, the Frenchman was examined by a doctor at courtside and decided to stop playing.
Tsonga said an ultrasound showed no tear in the muscle, but he was unable to continue. He said the arm had been hurting for three days but he opted to play on. He hopes it will heal in time for a tournament next week in Cincinnati and, if not, by the U.S. Open at the end of the month.
"The pain was worse day after day, hour after hour, on the court," he said. "You know, I don't have the pretension to try to beat Novak without my arm."
The crowd in the packed grandstands at Uniprix Stadium booed, but then cheered lustily for Djokovic, who had made several spectacular shots as he dominated his service games against the hard-hitting Tsonga.
Earlier, Fish advanced to his third straight ATP Tour final, beating Janko Tipsarevic 6-3, 6-4. Fish has won 11 of his last 12 matches, winning at Atlanta last month and reaching the final two weeks ago in Los Angeles. He's trying to become the first American to win the Rogers Cup since Andy Roddick in 2003.
"I win a lot of matches because I can play a lot of different styles, I think," the 29-year-old Fish said. "A faster surface like this is going to suit my game perfectly - a hard court where I've got my footing pretty good. My serve moves through the court well. You can come in. You can stay back a little bit, as well. But to be this successful, I have to play really well, too, and I've done that."
Djokovic beat Fish 6-3, 6-1 in their last meeting in Florida in March.
"Conditions are different," Djokovic said. "In Miami, the bounce is (higher) than here, it's slower than this surface. I've been playing night matches, he's been playing day matches. Tomorrow we play (at 3 p.m.). Maybe it's going to be hot.
"It's important when you play a player like Mardy to hold your composure, to be patient and wait for the chance on his service games, try to have high percentage of the first serves and stay aggressive. I know he's going to come to the net. I know he's going to take his chances. He's always played like that."
In the doubles semifinals, top-seeded American brothers Bob and Mike Bryan beat Tomas Berdych and Floridan Mayer 6-2, 6-1, and Michael Llodra and Nenad Zimonjic topped Daniel Nestor and Max Mirnyi 6-3, 6-4.
Courtesy: NBC
Novak Djokovic Cruises Into Semi Final
Novak Djokovic's reign as world number one remained unblemished as the Serb blasted Frenchman Gael Monfils 6-2 6-1 off the court to ease into the semi-finals of the Montreal Masters on Friday.
Djokovic's win extended his season record to a spectacular 51-1 and leaves him on course to become the first to win a title on debut as the world's top-ranked player since Pete Sampras in 1993....Read more here
Djokovic's win extended his season record to a spectacular 51-1 and leaves him on course to become the first to win a title on debut as the world's top-ranked player since Pete Sampras in 1993....Read more here
Novak Djokovic - Cilic Press Conference
N. DJOKOVIC/M. Cilic
75, 62
An interview with:
NOVAK DJOKOVIC
THE MODERATOR: Questions for Novak.
Q. Always smiling.
NOVAK DJOKOVIC: Yeah. You got to keep smiling, I guess.
Q. Can you tell us what you feel today. It was a tough match at the start, and after you kept going.
NOVAK DJOKOVIC: Both of the matches that I've played here were against good players. But I didn't get any rhythm I think out of both matches.
Against Davydenko, he started off the match incredibly hitting winners. Then hitting a lot of unforced errors today. Conditions were quite a bit different than yesterday. A lot of wind involved. It wasn't really a beautiful match to play and to watch.
But I guess in the right moments I was trying to keep the ball into the court, make my opponent make an unforced error. I was just more patient and played well. So that's the positive.
Q. I read a very interesting piece in Sports Illustrated. Serbia's ambassador to the United States was quoted as saying you were the single biggest PR for Serbia in the recent history of the country. That is a big compliment. What do you make of this comment and how do you feel about that?
NOVAK DJOKOVIC: Obviously it's very flattering to receive, as you said, such a compliment. It is an honor to be able to represent your country. It's on you how you will represent the country. Obviously I'm trying to do it in the best possible way.
Our country is small, but we do have lots of success in sports. We consider at this moment and in last 10, 15 years our athletes as I think biggest ambassadors of our country, which gives us, as you said, a lot of pressure and expectations. But still we try to enjoy that and we try to always make sure we make everybody see where we're coming from.
It's great to have the appreciation of the Serbian people for what we do.
Q. Regarding the Olympics next year, what does it mean to you personally to be in the Olympics and possibly win a gold medal in the Olympics?
NOVAK DJOKOVIC: Yeah, well, Olympics, it's a competition that is not comparable to any other competition. It's just the longest sport event. I think every athlete, professional athlete, wants to win a medal in the Olympics. It's just something that stays forever. The whole world is watching that competition.
I had this pleasure and honor to be part of Olympics and to win a medal in Beijing. Let me tell you, it's one of the best experience I had in my tennis career. So I'm really looking forward to the next Olympics. Hopefully I can be part of it.
Q. A question about the state of the men's game. I'm 55 years old. When I was playing tennis, when somebody the size of Cilic played, he would serve and volley all the time. A player of that size would try to serve and volley, mix it up. Now he is on the baseline. Anderson is on the baseline. I know the game has changed and evolved. But as someone who plays a baseline game, when you see these huge guys, they don't move in, what is your impression of that?
NOVAK DJOKOVIC: Well, try to keep them on the baseline (smiling).
Q. I understand that.
NOVAK DJOKOVIC: Well, you're right. It has changed. It's obvious that nowadays it's more a baseline game. Maybe 15, 20 years ago, there were a lot more serveandvolley players.
I think the surfaces have influenced that a bit because I think the surfaces nowadays are quite slower than they used to be. Even the grass itself is slower. The bounce of the ball is higher, which I think is more suitable to the baseline players.
And in the end, there's technology. I think the racquets and everything has, you know, developed so much, improved so much, that players nowadays have much more control with the ball and can return so much better.
I mean, look at the top players in the game: incredible returners. It is not easy for somebody to just get onto the serveandvolley mode because he knows from the opposite side he has a great returner. If he's playing Nadal, Federer, Murray, myself, whatever, we're all trying to get as many returns back.
So I guess having this variety in the game obviously helps. I think everybody should get more often to the net because you need to have that in your game.
Q. As you said, Serbia is a small country, but you have three players in the top 25. The three of you were playing today in Montréal. How do you explain Serbia's success?
NOVAK DJOKOVIC: Well, it's individual, I think, because we didn't have a long tradition of this sport in our country. We didn't have the system that helped us to become professional tennis players. So we had to individually have a big desire to succeed and have big support of the families. Everybody had kind of a different way to the top.
But it's really great to see that we have this many successful tennis players in the men's and women's part, and we are a very small country comparing to other countries who have much bigger tennis tradition.
Q. Playing on the hard court, Nadal was talking about it yesterday, he didn't really have a chance to play on it enough. We've seen a couple of top seeds go at this tournament, and even at the women's tournament. How important is it to get in that time on the hard courts before coming here?
NOVAK DJOKOVIC: Again, it's individual. I mean, everybody's adjusting to their preparation the way they think is the best for them. So I cannot talk in the name of all the players. But the fact is, you know, for most of the top players who are not playing for a couple weeks, even in my case, I haven't played a match or a tournament for four weeks, you know, since Wimbledon.
It's normal I think to expect that the first opening matches of the tournament will be tricky because you're still trying to find the rhythm, trying to get used to the conditions, get into the tournament mode. We had holidays, of course.
But, look, it's normal to have those periods in a year. You have to have them. We had seven months of consistent competition week after week. The schedule is so, so demanding and so tough, even these couple weeks off is just like a dream come true for us. Great, we have two weeks off. What are we going to do? After the fifth day, you're already confused. Where is my racquet, I need to play.
But I think the rest came in the right time. It's always like this. Each year I think most of the top players don't play anything between Wimbledon and Montréal. But, as I said, everybody has different ways.
Q. Novak, there are two matches today involving a Serbian and a Croatian. You won the first one. Janko is leading in the second set. How special is this for you guys? Is there some sort of rivalry between Croatian and Serbian players?
NOVAK DJOKOVIC: I don't know. I mean, there is no particular significance in those matches. I have approached this match as any other match really. I didn't pay too much attention if my opponent is from Croatia or not.
Of course, we do speak the same language. We were the same country once. We are very good friends off the court, all of us. So we have a lot of respect for each other.
But I think there is always rivalry whoever you play against. Doesn't matter from which country he comes from.
Q. On the court after the matches you've been saying how the Montréal crowd is knowledgeable. What are your overall impressions of the Canadian crowds?
NOVAK DJOKOVIC: As I said on the court, I'm really positively surprised by the Montréal and Toronto crowd. I mean, as far as I know for the men's tournament in last five years that I've been playing in Canada, for the four or five top players, every single match is a packed stadium. That's incredible. You don't get to see that very often on every tournament, especially in the opening rounds. But here they all come regardless if it's a day session or night session.
It's really, really nice.
Q. Murray and Nadal are already out. Are you surprised by that?
NOVAK DJOKOVIC: Well, it is a surprise. I mean, of course. It's expected from them and from all of us top players to advance, you know, to the last stages of a tournament.
But it happens. You know, this is sport. This is tennis. Both of their opponents have played great matches, and that's it. You move on. You have to forget about what you've done. There is already next week another tournament.
Q. You were speaking a little bit earlier about the support of your family. Can you talk about your company, what you want to accomplish with that?
NOVAK DJOKOVIC: Well, we have a company back in Serbia which does a lot of different businesses. But we do have a tournament that we own back in Serbia that we are organizing. It's actually one of our priorities.
It's played in a venue that, as well, belongs to us. It's a beautiful location of the city. We've been organizing that tournament for the last three years. I think my family is really doing a great job, and the people that work there. It's still a very small tournament but looking to improve.
FastScripts by ASAP Sports
Courtesy: Rogerscup Website
Novak Djokovic - Flattered By Ambassador Comments
ATP World Tour No. 1Novak Djokovic says that he is 'flattered' to be described by Serbia's ambassador to the United States as the country's biggest promotional asset. After advancing to theRogers Cup quarter-finals Thursday with a 7-5, 6-2 win over Croatian Marin Cilic, Djokovic was asked to respond to comments last month from Vladimir Petrovic, Serbia's ambassador to the United States, who described the 24 year old as "the single biggest positive PR this country has ever had".
"Obviously it's very flattering to receive such a compliment," Djokovic said. "It is an honour to be able to represent your country. It's on you how you will represent the country. Obviously I'm trying to do it in the best possible way. Our country is small, but we do have lots of success in sports. We consider at this moment and in last 10, 15 years our athletes [to be] the biggest ambassadors of our country… We try to always make sure we make everybody see where we're coming from. It's great to have the appreciation of the Serbian people for what we do."
Djokovic's success has also fueled the rises of countrymen Viktor Troicki (ranked No. 15) and Janko Tipsarevic (No. 24), giving the country of 7 million people three players in the Top 25 of the South African Airways ATP Rankings.
Djokovic attributes the success of the trio to each member's desire and dedication. "It's individual, I think, because we didn't have a long tradition of this sport in our country. We didn't have the system that helped us to become professional tennis players. So we had to individually have a big desire to succeed and have big support of the families. Everybody had kind of a different way to the top. But it's really great to see that we have this many successful tennis players in the men's and women's part, and we are a very small country comparing to other countries who have much bigger tennis tradition."
Djokovic this week is attempting to become the only active player to win a tournament in his first appearance as World No. 1.
Courtesy: ATPWORLDTOUR
Novak Djokovic - Into The QF in Montreal
World No. 1 Novak Djokovic had to bide his time before he finally gained the upper hand over Marin Cilic in the third round of the Rogers Cup on Thursday.... Rest of the story here
Novak Djokovic advanced into the quarterfinals of the ATP Montreal Masters on Thursday as Croatian opponent Marin Cilic double-faulted on match point to hand over a 7-5, 6-2 win to the world number one Serb.... Full story here
A few pics added to Twitpic
Novak Djokovic advanced into the quarterfinals of the ATP Montreal Masters on Thursday as Croatian opponent Marin Cilic double-faulted on match point to hand over a 7-5, 6-2 win to the world number one Serb.... Full story here
A few pics added to Twitpic
Novak Djokovic - Press Conference From 2nd Round Match
N. DJOKOVIC/N. Davydenko
75, 61
An interview with:
NOVAK DJOKOVIC
THE MODERATOR: Questions for Novak.
Q. What was going through your mind in that first set when you found yourself down the two early breaks of serve? How tough is the first match back after a long layoff?
NOVAK DJOKOVIC: It is different, different feeling, definitely not playing four weeks any official match, and changing the surface obviously. I've played last two tournaments on clay courts, and then grass courts. Coming on hard courts with no matches, coming into this tournament, yeah, was a challenge definitely.
I was playing an unpredictable player against who I never know what's coming up next. In the first opening games, I needed some rhythm, and he didn't give me any. He was hitting the ball as hard as he could. He was the better player.
But I hang in there and I knew that at some point he's going to miss some shots and I will get a chance to get back into the match, which actually happened on 41.
Q. You're talking about missing shots. The forehand volley he missed at 54, deuce, shifted the match completely. Do you remember that? Do you think that was a big momentum shift?
NOVAK DJOKOVIC: Well, as I said, you know, he's a really strange player who I think the tougher the ball is, it's easier for him to play, which is a bit strange because you don't get that from other opponents. So he was missing some easy shots when he shouldn't.
Well, I got back into the match. When I needed to use my chance, I did. Then, you know, second set was much more comfortable for me.
Q. Is it a different feeling for you walking on the court being No. 1? Anything different?
NOVAK DJOKOVIC: No, there's not much difference. The difference is that I haven't played any match in four weeks.
Of course, it feels great. I mean, the stadium was packed. It was a fantastic feeling playing in front of the crowd that really likes tennis and likes following all the players.
You know, this tournament has a history of a lot of successful tournaments where there's a lot of spectators coming to the matches in the opening rounds. So they show their appreciation for the sport, which is great for us to perform in front of such a great crowd, so...
Q. How happy are you to be back to business after basically holidays?
NOVAK DJOKOVIC: I'm happy to be back competing. It's been four weeks. Obviously the holidays came at the right moment. I was enjoying those holidays, for sure. But I needed to come back and I needed to work hard and prepare well for the season.
I think physically I'm quite fit. I'm hitting the ball well. Of course, I need maybe another match or two to really get into the right form.
It was really important for me to overcome this challenge today, an opponent as tricky as Davydenko. I'm playing some doubles, as well. So this will help me to get the right rhythm for the next challenges in singles.
Q. With all the ceremony that went on celebrating your arrival on the tour with Mr. Lapierre, how do you actually feel here, having been on court for a ceremony, now back for business only?
NOVAK DJOKOVIC: Look, it's something that I did not experience before, so I am very honored and really of course flattered and pleased to have these ceremonies organized in my favor, of course. Being No. 1 is a big responsibility, not just on the court but off the court as well. Just trying to handle it in the best possible way, but on the other side trying to keep my life very simple, the way it was before.
I haven't changed my approach to my profession, to the sport, to my practices, to my matches. This is the way it is supposed to stay. Luckily I have a team of people that is keeping me on the ground and we are really working hard.
I am motivated to make more success and to win more tournaments regardless of my ranking.
Q. Rafael Nadal just opened a Twitter account a few days ago. I want to know how do you see Twitter as a way to express yourself or be linked with your fans?
NOVAK DJOKOVIC: Well, you said it. I wasn't really involved enough and I didn't have a great knowledge about social networks up to, let's say, one year ago. Things change, I guess. You know, the world is changing. I think it's all about technology these days. Everything goes through Internet, everything goes through social networks, all the communications.
I think on a positive side it really helps for us tennis players to communicate with our fans, to keep them updated with what we do, pictures, interesting stuff. I think they're happy.
For us, it's really important to have loyal fans, to have people who are supporting us, who are coming to the tournaments. It makes our game easier on the court. Of course, it's really nice to see that somebody appreciates you as a player and as a person as well.
Q. Psychologically do you anticipate there will be anything more difficult or harder about maintaining the No. 1 spot than there was getting there?
NOVAK DJOKOVIC: Well, that's something that I will see. It still has been only four weeks since I've become No. 1. This is my first official tournament.
I will repeat again: my approach hasn't changed. I'm really trying to do everything that I have done, even before I become No. 1. Of course, the world is looking at me a bit differently, which I think is obvious to expect.
But, as I said, you carry a lot of responsibility when you are playing and when you are off the court. You represent not just yourself but the game of tennis in general. You need to handle yourself well. It carries a little bit more weight on your shoulders.
But, look, you know, it's a challenge, it's something I've always dreamed of. I don't want to think about negatives and worry about things that might happen because I have become No. 1: Will I keep it long enough? Will it come to my head? Will I struggle with emotions?
Look, I've become No. 1 of the world. I achieved my dreams. This is all that is going on in my head, all I'm thinking of, just enjoying the moment.
Q. One word on your next possible opponent.
NOVAK DJOKOVIC: Now is the rain, so I'm waiting for them to finish.
Del Potro, Cilic, both of them tall players, big serves. They're both playing great, I think the best tennis on hard courts. The conditions here are a bit faster than maybe some other tournaments. I think it goes in the favor of those two players.
But I've played them before earlier. You know, it's going to be a tough one definitely.
THE MODERATOR: Questions from Toronto.
NOVAK DJOKOVIC: Are you kidding me? This is incredible. Hello, Toronto (laughter).
Q. How do you feel today that you are pronounced as the best player in the world?
NOVAK DJOKOVIC: How do I feel?
Q. Yes.
NOVAK DJOKOVIC: Well, I feel great. You know, as I said before, I achieved the dreams of my childhood. I had a bit of time to enjoy the success that I had, but now it's back to reality, back to the tennis court, back to business.
You know, regardless of my rankings, I need to go out on the court and play each match to win. Right now I need to focus on that.
Q. You were down 14 and he had a serve. What did you think at that moment? You were not warmed up or what happened?
NOVAK DJOKOVIC: Did I practice enough (laughter)? I'm kidding.
Look, you know, he has played a better first five games. He didn't give me a lot of rhythm in the start of the match. I didn't play a match for four weeks. It took me some time to, you know, get used to the conditions, get into the match.
I needed to hang in there. I needed to wait for the chances. I did. I turned the match around on 41 when I broke him the first time. Then I felt much more comfortable.
How is life in Toronto?
Q. Windy.
NOVAK DJOKOVIC: Is it raining?
Q. They quit the match because lights fell down on the court so they suspended the play.
NOVAK DJOKOVIC: Well, we have suspended play as well.
This is cool (laughter).
Q. Novak, are you prepared to actually win again in Montréal because your first win was Montréal?
NOVAK DJOKOVIC: I will see. You know, I will see how far I can go. I'm taking it step by step. I'm really trying to perform my best tennis every time I step on the court.
I am aware that my form isn't 100% yet. But it's kind of normal to expect that the first couple of matches after a long break, you're still trying to find the rhythm on the court.
You know, I think maybe if I manage to play well next match, I will slowly get into the right direction.
THE MODERATOR: Thank you.
Courtesy: Offical Rogerscup Website
N. DJOKOVIC/N. Davydenko
75, 61
An interview with:
NOVAK DJOKOVIC
THE MODERATOR: Questions for Novak.
Q. What was going through your mind in that first set when you found yourself down the two early breaks of serve? How tough is the first match back after a long layoff?
NOVAK DJOKOVIC: It is different, different feeling, definitely not playing four weeks any official match, and changing the surface obviously. I've played last two tournaments on clay courts, and then grass courts. Coming on hard courts with no matches, coming into this tournament, yeah, was a challenge definitely.
I was playing an unpredictable player against who I never know what's coming up next. In the first opening games, I needed some rhythm, and he didn't give me any. He was hitting the ball as hard as he could. He was the better player.
But I hang in there and I knew that at some point he's going to miss some shots and I will get a chance to get back into the match, which actually happened on 41.
Q. You're talking about missing shots. The forehand volley he missed at 54, deuce, shifted the match completely. Do you remember that? Do you think that was a big momentum shift?
NOVAK DJOKOVIC: Well, as I said, you know, he's a really strange player who I think the tougher the ball is, it's easier for him to play, which is a bit strange because you don't get that from other opponents. So he was missing some easy shots when he shouldn't.
Well, I got back into the match. When I needed to use my chance, I did. Then, you know, second set was much more comfortable for me.
Q. Is it a different feeling for you walking on the court being No. 1? Anything different?
NOVAK DJOKOVIC: No, there's not much difference. The difference is that I haven't played any match in four weeks.
Of course, it feels great. I mean, the stadium was packed. It was a fantastic feeling playing in front of the crowd that really likes tennis and likes following all the players.
You know, this tournament has a history of a lot of successful tournaments where there's a lot of spectators coming to the matches in the opening rounds. So they show their appreciation for the sport, which is great for us to perform in front of such a great crowd, so...
Q. How happy are you to be back to business after basically holidays?
NOVAK DJOKOVIC: I'm happy to be back competing. It's been four weeks. Obviously the holidays came at the right moment. I was enjoying those holidays, for sure. But I needed to come back and I needed to work hard and prepare well for the season.
I think physically I'm quite fit. I'm hitting the ball well. Of course, I need maybe another match or two to really get into the right form.
It was really important for me to overcome this challenge today, an opponent as tricky as Davydenko. I'm playing some doubles, as well. So this will help me to get the right rhythm for the next challenges in singles.
Q. With all the ceremony that went on celebrating your arrival on the tour with Mr. Lapierre, how do you actually feel here, having been on court for a ceremony, now back for business only?
NOVAK DJOKOVIC: Look, it's something that I did not experience before, so I am very honored and really of course flattered and pleased to have these ceremonies organized in my favor, of course. Being No. 1 is a big responsibility, not just on the court but off the court as well. Just trying to handle it in the best possible way, but on the other side trying to keep my life very simple, the way it was before.
I haven't changed my approach to my profession, to the sport, to my practices, to my matches. This is the way it is supposed to stay. Luckily I have a team of people that is keeping me on the ground and we are really working hard.
I am motivated to make more success and to win more tournaments regardless of my ranking.
Q. Rafael Nadal just opened a Twitter account a few days ago. I want to know how do you see Twitter as a way to express yourself or be linked with your fans?
NOVAK DJOKOVIC: Well, you said it. I wasn't really involved enough and I didn't have a great knowledge about social networks up to, let's say, one year ago. Things change, I guess. You know, the world is changing. I think it's all about technology these days. Everything goes through Internet, everything goes through social networks, all the communications.
I think on a positive side it really helps for us tennis players to communicate with our fans, to keep them updated with what we do, pictures, interesting stuff. I think they're happy.
For us, it's really important to have loyal fans, to have people who are supporting us, who are coming to the tournaments. It makes our game easier on the court. Of course, it's really nice to see that somebody appreciates you as a player and as a person as well.
Q. Psychologically do you anticipate there will be anything more difficult or harder about maintaining the No. 1 spot than there was getting there?
NOVAK DJOKOVIC: Well, that's something that I will see. It still has been only four weeks since I've become No. 1. This is my first official tournament.
I will repeat again: my approach hasn't changed. I'm really trying to do everything that I have done, even before I become No. 1. Of course, the world is looking at me a bit differently, which I think is obvious to expect.
But, as I said, you carry a lot of responsibility when you are playing and when you are off the court. You represent not just yourself but the game of tennis in general. You need to handle yourself well. It carries a little bit more weight on your shoulders.
But, look, you know, it's a challenge, it's something I've always dreamed of. I don't want to think about negatives and worry about things that might happen because I have become No. 1: Will I keep it long enough? Will it come to my head? Will I struggle with emotions?
Look, I've become No. 1 of the world. I achieved my dreams. This is all that is going on in my head, all I'm thinking of, just enjoying the moment.
Q. One word on your next possible opponent.
NOVAK DJOKOVIC: Now is the rain, so I'm waiting for them to finish.
Del Potro, Cilic, both of them tall players, big serves. They're both playing great, I think the best tennis on hard courts. The conditions here are a bit faster than maybe some other tournaments. I think it goes in the favor of those two players.
But I've played them before earlier. You know, it's going to be a tough one definitely.
THE MODERATOR: Questions from Toronto.
NOVAK DJOKOVIC: Are you kidding me? This is incredible. Hello, Toronto (laughter).
Q. How do you feel today that you are pronounced as the best player in the world?
NOVAK DJOKOVIC: How do I feel?
Q. Yes.
NOVAK DJOKOVIC: Well, I feel great. You know, as I said before, I achieved the dreams of my childhood. I had a bit of time to enjoy the success that I had, but now it's back to reality, back to the tennis court, back to business.
You know, regardless of my rankings, I need to go out on the court and play each match to win. Right now I need to focus on that.
Q. You were down 14 and he had a serve. What did you think at that moment? You were not warmed up or what happened?
NOVAK DJOKOVIC: Did I practice enough (laughter)? I'm kidding.
Look, you know, he has played a better first five games. He didn't give me a lot of rhythm in the start of the match. I didn't play a match for four weeks. It took me some time to, you know, get used to the conditions, get into the match.
I needed to hang in there. I needed to wait for the chances. I did. I turned the match around on 41 when I broke him the first time. Then I felt much more comfortable.
How is life in Toronto?
Q. Windy.
NOVAK DJOKOVIC: Is it raining?
Q. They quit the match because lights fell down on the court so they suspended the play.
NOVAK DJOKOVIC: Well, we have suspended play as well.
This is cool (laughter).
Q. Novak, are you prepared to actually win again in Montréal because your first win was Montréal?
NOVAK DJOKOVIC: I will see. You know, I will see how far I can go. I'm taking it step by step. I'm really trying to perform my best tennis every time I step on the court.
I am aware that my form isn't 100% yet. But it's kind of normal to expect that the first couple of matches after a long break, you're still trying to find the rhythm on the court.
You know, I think maybe if I manage to play well next match, I will slowly get into the right direction.
THE MODERATOR: Thank you.
Courtesy: Offical Rogerscup Website
Novak Djokovic - Wild Win
MONTREAL (Reuters) - Novak Djokovic's reign as world number one got off to a wild start as he scrambled to a 7-5 6-1 win over Russian Nikolai Davydenko at the Montreal Masters on Wednesday, improving his season record to a dazzling 49-1.
Back in action for the first time since his Wimbledon victory over Rafa Nadal, Djokovic's competitive debut as world number one looked in danger of ending in disaster.
In near invincible form this season winning eight titles, Djokovic appeared suddenly vulnerable after a four week holiday, as the 30th ranked Russian recorded two early breaks to grab a 4-1 lead on the sluggish Serb.
But Davydenko would win only two more games as Djokovic shifted into top gear reeling off six straight service breaks to take the first set and jump out in front 4-0 in the second then hold serve to seal the victory as lightning crackled around the stadium.
"I'm just trying to handle it (being number one) the best possible way but on the other side trying to keep my life very simple, the way it was before," Djokovic told reporters.
"Of course, the world is looking at me a bit differently. It carries a little bit more weight on your shoulders.
"I don't want to think about negatives and worry about things that might happen because I have become number one: Will I keep it long enough? Will it come to my head? Will I struggle with emotions?
"I've become number one. I achieved my dreams. This is all that is going on in my head, all I'm thinking of, just enjoying the moment."
OPEN TARGET
Despite the early wobble, it was a promising start to the hard court campaign and the buildup to the U.S. Open for the big Serb, who has twice before reached the final at Flushing Meadows and will be favored to take the last step next month.
The big question hanging over the final grand slam is who can stop the Serbian juggernaut?
Roger Federer is the only man to beat Djokovic this season and has won at least one grand slam title every year since 2002.
But the Swiss has captured just one event this year and will be hard pressed to extend his streak in New York and add to his record of 16 grand slams.
Briton Andy Murray, the two-time defending champion in Canada, did not get his hard court season off to a promising start losing his opening match.
World number two Nadal beat Djokovic in last year's U.S. Open final but the 24-year-old Serb has had the Spaniard's number this season beating him five times in five meetings.
Up next for Djokovic is a possible third round clash with Juan Martin del Potro, the 2009 U.S. Open winner who is looking very much like a real dangerman at Flushing Meadows.
After a season filled with injury woes, the Argentine has bounced back this year showing signs of reclaiming his grand slam winning form climbing from 484th in the world rankings back into the top 20.
"Del Potro, (Marin) Cilic, both of them tall players with big serves," said Djokovic, looking ahead to his next match. "They're both playing great, the best tennis on hard courts.
"The conditions here are a bit faster than maybe some other tournaments. I think in the favor of those two players.
"It's going to be a tough one definitely."
Courtesy: Reuters
Back in action for the first time since his Wimbledon victory over Rafa Nadal, Djokovic's competitive debut as world number one looked in danger of ending in disaster.
In near invincible form this season winning eight titles, Djokovic appeared suddenly vulnerable after a four week holiday, as the 30th ranked Russian recorded two early breaks to grab a 4-1 lead on the sluggish Serb.
But Davydenko would win only two more games as Djokovic shifted into top gear reeling off six straight service breaks to take the first set and jump out in front 4-0 in the second then hold serve to seal the victory as lightning crackled around the stadium.
"I'm just trying to handle it (being number one) the best possible way but on the other side trying to keep my life very simple, the way it was before," Djokovic told reporters.
"Of course, the world is looking at me a bit differently. It carries a little bit more weight on your shoulders.
"I don't want to think about negatives and worry about things that might happen because I have become number one: Will I keep it long enough? Will it come to my head? Will I struggle with emotions?
"I've become number one. I achieved my dreams. This is all that is going on in my head, all I'm thinking of, just enjoying the moment."
OPEN TARGET
Despite the early wobble, it was a promising start to the hard court campaign and the buildup to the U.S. Open for the big Serb, who has twice before reached the final at Flushing Meadows and will be favored to take the last step next month.
The big question hanging over the final grand slam is who can stop the Serbian juggernaut?
Roger Federer is the only man to beat Djokovic this season and has won at least one grand slam title every year since 2002.
But the Swiss has captured just one event this year and will be hard pressed to extend his streak in New York and add to his record of 16 grand slams.
Briton Andy Murray, the two-time defending champion in Canada, did not get his hard court season off to a promising start losing his opening match.
World number two Nadal beat Djokovic in last year's U.S. Open final but the 24-year-old Serb has had the Spaniard's number this season beating him five times in five meetings.
Up next for Djokovic is a possible third round clash with Juan Martin del Potro, the 2009 U.S. Open winner who is looking very much like a real dangerman at Flushing Meadows.
After a season filled with injury woes, the Argentine has bounced back this year showing signs of reclaiming his grand slam winning form climbing from 484th in the world rankings back into the top 20.
"Del Potro, (Marin) Cilic, both of them tall players with big serves," said Djokovic, looking ahead to his next match. "They're both playing great, the best tennis on hard courts.
"The conditions here are a bit faster than maybe some other tournaments. I think in the favor of those two players.
"It's going to be a tough one definitely."
Courtesy: Reuters
Novak Djokovic - Made To Earn Victory
Novak Djokovic survived an early scare in his debut match as the World No. 1, coming from a double-break down to defeat Russian Nikolay Davydenko7-5, 6-1 Wednesday at theRogers Cup in Montreal.
Playing his first match since winning Wimbledon and ascending to No. 1 in the South African Airways 2011 ATP Rankings, Djokovic looked in danger of losing just his second match of the season as he fell behind 1-4 against the former World No. 3.
Davydenko was unable to maintain his advantage, however, as Djokovic drew level at 4-all. The Serbian broke Davydenko for a third time to secure the opening set and rolled through the second set with ease, preventing the Russian from winning a single service game.
"He didn't give me a lot of rhythm in the start of the match," said Djokovic. "I didn't play a match for four weeks. It took me some time to get used to the conditions, get into the match. I needed to hang in there. I needed to wait for the chances. I did. I turned the match around on 4-1 when I broke him the first time. Then I felt much more comfortable."
Djokovic won this ATP World Tour Masters 1000 title on his tournament debut in 2007, defeating the ATP's top three players - No. 3 Andy Roddick, No. 2 Rafael Nadal and No. 1 Roger Federer - in succession.
He is undefeated in Masters 1000 action this season, winning titles at the first four he's contested. His only loss this season (49-1) came against Federer in the Roland Garros semi-finals.
He reflected on his new status as the ATP's top player, "Being No. 1 is a big responsibility, not just on the court but off the court as well. Just trying to handle it in the best possible way, but on the other side trying to keep my life very simple, the way it was before.
"I haven't changed my approach to my profession, to the sport, to my practices, to my matches. This is the way it is supposed to stay. Luckily I have a team of people that is keeping me on the ground and we are really working hard. I am motivated to make more success and to win more tournaments regardless of my ranking."
Djokovic will play Marin Cilic in the third round after the Croatian ousted 2009 US Openchampion and No. 16 seed Juan Martin del Potro6-3, 6-4 by taking advantage of his two break point opportunities. Cilic won 93 per cent of his first serve points during the one-hour, 23-minute match to narrowly defeat del Potro for the second time in five career meetings.
Courtesy: ATPWorldTour
Nadal & Djokovic - A Different Kind Of Rivalry
The rivalry between Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal, when it was just about the two of them in men's tennis, may have been the most civilized, friendly one in tennis history.
The developing duel between Nadal and Novak Djokovic, whose first match as the No. 1 player in the 
The chemistry among the combatants couldn't be more different.
Federer and Nadal always seemed as comfortable together as an old married couple.
Nadal and Djokovic could be more like oil and water.
And with the players on both the men's and women's tours are being so nicey-nicey with each other these days, a little fire and brimstone will be most welcome.
The dynamic of the Federer-Nadal relationship was set early, as Nadal spent the early part of his career looking up in the rankings at the player he considers to be the greatest of all time.
Even after Nadal caught up and eventually passed Federer, they always seemed like Jedi and Jedi master 
This week, Nadal said that despite the fact that they're very different people, one big thing they have in common is their sense of fair play, the way whatever happened on court never affected what went on outside the court.
They've had a fascinating road together, and that shared history is the fuel that nurtures the relationship.
They're hardly best friends, but competing work colleagues who have tremendous respect for the fight.
With Nadal and Djokovic, it's a totally different story.
It's like the Serb is the Darth Vader in this screenplay.
For one thing, they're peers — just a year apart, even though Nadal was more precocious in his rise to the top 
Then again, he didn't have just one player to chase; he had two. It wasn't the player he was chasing, but the peak.
When asked this week what his relationship with Djokovic was like, compared to his relationship with Federer, Nadal's answer was long on Federer, short on Djokovic. It's not that he doesn't like him; it's hard to imagine Nadal disliking anyone. Basically it was this: he has no problem with Djokovic. He's a good guy. He's had an incredible season. And that was about it.
To be fair, Djokovic has beaten him like a drum in 2011, on every surface. He's probably in Nadal's head much the way Nadal himself got into Federer's head, when he started dominating their rivalry.
But the little clues are in the subtle moments.
After the French Open final, Federer and Nadal stood together for all the obligatory photo opportunities with 
And the drama after the 2009 Australian Open final, with Federer's tears and Nadal's comforting gesture, will remain one of their defining moments. When Federer left the stage in Paris to give Nadal his solo time with the big trophy, he gave him a gentle pat on the butt, and a smile, as he exited.
"This is your time, kid," it seemed to say.
It was a small gesture that spoke volumes.
At the Wimbledon final, it was Nadal and Djokovic who stood there.
It was professional, workmanlike, and positively devoid of any warmth even though Nadal said all the appropriate things when he took the microphone to utter a few words of congratulations.
No doubt he was bitterly disappointed after the defeat; but he has lost Grand Slam finals before. 
The two didn't exchange five words; they were like two strangers up there.
It was similarly businesslike at the hit-and-giggle held last weekend to inaugurate the rooftop Har-Tru courts at Uniprix Stadium.
The two arrived separately, hit tennis balls for a few minutes, posed for the obligatory photos together — the crowd-loving Djokovic smiling broadly, Nadal looking a little tired and rather grim — and exited separately. None of this is meant as criticism; no one has done anything wrong here. And it's totally okay if they don't love each other. It's just that it's so different. And the potential for this rivalry to get a little heated is delectable.
The best part of it is that because it will be so different, it will never have to suffer in comparison to Federer-Nadal. It will stand on its own; the two can create their 
And somehow, you get the feeling the old Jedi Master still will have something to say about it before he's done.
Courtesy: Montreal Gazette
Novak Djokovic - Press Chat In Montreal
Appearing to be quite well rested and in good humor as well, new world number one Novak Djokovic met with the press in Montreal to do some pre-tournament coverage for the Rogers Cup.
Limited by time constraints to only a few questions, it was tough to get in-depth with the Serbian star. He did briefly touch upon life as the top player in the world and his outlook on the first big summer event leading up to the U.S. Open.
Djokovic sounded quite level-headed about his new status at the top of the rankings. When asked how it might change him he replied, “Well I try not to change anything in particular, I’ve tried to keep the things very simple the way I have practiced and the way I have approached my tennis career in general up to the moment where I was number one. And from this moment was the same. So, it is true that some things change. The world is maybe treating me differently but I treat myself and my team exactly the same.”
It’s obviously too soon to really say how his new status might affect him since he has yet to play any tournaments since reaching the pinnacle of the sport. It will be very interesting to watch how he handles himself now that there is a giant target painted to his back. Even though he has been ranked in the top-three for what seems like an eternity, there’s a different twist to being above everyone else.
The scrum got a bit of a laugh when Djokovic was asked if it was difficult to stay on top. The poor guy hasn’t even had a chance to defend any points since he took the pole position from Nadal.
“That is something that I will find out,” he said with a grin, “and hopefully that I can stay as long as I can. I will try to go the distance but it’s definitely not going to be easy.”
Djokovic did not reveal too many specifics when I asked him about his post-Wimbledon celebrations but did mention that he found the time to celebrate, “in the Serbian way.” What does this actually mean? For Djokovic it meant, “A lot of fun, a lot of dancing and things like that.”
After building so much momentum over the first six months of the season, Novak talked about how the five week post-Wimbledon break might affect his progression in a season that has seen him go a remarkable 48-1. He chose to focus on the positive in his answer instead of dwelling on how it might bring him back down to earth.
“Well look, you know, I think the break came at the right time for me and for most of the top players. We’ve had an exhausting six months of the year, especially myself. I’ve played so many matches and I was very successful, I cannot complain, you know, but right now I have recharged my batteries and I am ready for the upcoming couple of months.”
With a first round bye and the forecast calling for steady rain in Montreal for the next few days, it might not be until Wednesday before we see how the time off has treated Novak’s game. He opens against the winner of Nikolay Davydenko and a qualifier.
One last bit of Novak info is that he did reveal that he will be entered in the doubles draw with fellow Serb Janko Tipsarevic. There will not be a repeat of last year’s partnership with Nadal as their rivalry has truly risen to another level in 2011.
Courtesy: TennisGrandstand
Limited by time constraints to only a few questions, it was tough to get in-depth with the Serbian star. He did briefly touch upon life as the top player in the world and his outlook on the first big summer event leading up to the U.S. Open.
Djokovic sounded quite level-headed about his new status at the top of the rankings. When asked how it might change him he replied, “Well I try not to change anything in particular, I’ve tried to keep the things very simple the way I have practiced and the way I have approached my tennis career in general up to the moment where I was number one. And from this moment was the same. So, it is true that some things change. The world is maybe treating me differently but I treat myself and my team exactly the same.”
It’s obviously too soon to really say how his new status might affect him since he has yet to play any tournaments since reaching the pinnacle of the sport. It will be very interesting to watch how he handles himself now that there is a giant target painted to his back. Even though he has been ranked in the top-three for what seems like an eternity, there’s a different twist to being above everyone else.
The scrum got a bit of a laugh when Djokovic was asked if it was difficult to stay on top. The poor guy hasn’t even had a chance to defend any points since he took the pole position from Nadal.
“That is something that I will find out,” he said with a grin, “and hopefully that I can stay as long as I can. I will try to go the distance but it’s definitely not going to be easy.”
Djokovic did not reveal too many specifics when I asked him about his post-Wimbledon celebrations but did mention that he found the time to celebrate, “in the Serbian way.” What does this actually mean? For Djokovic it meant, “A lot of fun, a lot of dancing and things like that.”
After building so much momentum over the first six months of the season, Novak talked about how the five week post-Wimbledon break might affect his progression in a season that has seen him go a remarkable 48-1. He chose to focus on the positive in his answer instead of dwelling on how it might bring him back down to earth.
“Well look, you know, I think the break came at the right time for me and for most of the top players. We’ve had an exhausting six months of the year, especially myself. I’ve played so many matches and I was very successful, I cannot complain, you know, but right now I have recharged my batteries and I am ready for the upcoming couple of months.”
With a first round bye and the forecast calling for steady rain in Montreal for the next few days, it might not be until Wednesday before we see how the time off has treated Novak’s game. He opens against the winner of Nikolay Davydenko and a qualifier.
One last bit of Novak info is that he did reveal that he will be entered in the doubles draw with fellow Serb Janko Tipsarevic. There will not be a repeat of last year’s partnership with Nadal as their rivalry has truly risen to another level in 2011.
Courtesy: TennisGrandstand
Nadal & Djokovic Open New Courts
The top two players on the ATP World Tour, World No. 1 Novak Djokovic and World No. 2 Rafael Nadal, inaugurated Tennis Canada’s new clay courts at the National Tennis Centre in Montreal on Saturday.
After launching the NTC in 2007, Tennis Canada identified that clay courts were essential for training its upcoming promising prospects. With no room to construct new courts in any local parks, the governing body opted for an alternative solution, building courts on the roof of the NTC.
The project was made possible through investments contributed by three levels of government – Canada, Quebec and Montreal, as well as Tennis Canada. Two rising stars have come through the National Tennis Centre over the past four years, including 20-year-old Milos Raonic, who is the highest ranked singles player in Canadian history, and WTA newcomer Rebecca Marino.
Courtesy: ATP
Novak Djokovic - Montreal Draw
Here is Novak's quarter for Montreal.
A potential tough 3rd encounter with Delpo who is getting stronger with each tournament he plays. Roger could be the Semi Final opponent and a chance for Novak to avenge Paris.
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