18. 03. 2010. ·
American television station CNN broadcasted a report about the best Serbian tennis player Novak Djokovic. It was the first show in a series about the world tennis stars “Open Court”.
The report was made while CNN team was in Belgrade earlier this month, when the Davis Cup World Group first round tie between Serbia and the United States was held.
”Novak Djokovic is a huge talent who has often been in a shadow of Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal, but as I found out, that’s about to change”, said the author at the beginning of the show, hinting that the Serbian player will be no.1 in the near future.
In the informal part of the interview, Novak revealed that his favorite songs were Toma Zdravkovic’s “Kafana je moja istina” and “Hej, Branka, Branka”. Also, Djokovic said that his favorite car was “Audi”. The reporter asked if he was sponsored by them, and Nole answered:
“No. Please guys, sponsor me!”
The story about the no.2 racquet in the world began in the snow-covered Belgrade, where Novak’s main “source of strength and inspiration” is, his family.
”Novak won his first and only Grand Slam in Australia two years ago. At the time, fans crowded the square outside the Belgrade city hall for a glimpse of Nole, but in the end it’s his family support that he treasures most”, said CNN reporter Pedro Pinto.
The “Open Court” team travelled to Belgrade and gained the rare access to the tennis sensation. Pedro Pinto sat down with him inside the Djokovic family complex.
”We’re in March now. So far, how would you assess your year?”
“I think so far, it’s been a very successful year because I have won my title in Dubai and for the first time in my career I managed to defend a title“, said Nole.
”You mentioned title, but there’s one statistic you haven’t talked about, that’s being no.2 for the first time. What does that mean to you?”
“Exactly. It’s a big achievement. It was the spot in the rankings I’ve been chasing in the last three years. I must be happy, I must be pleased, but it’s a responsibility, because now I feel like getting even further“, said Djokovic, adding that he will try to stay in that place as long as he can and maybe in the future get to his life-time goal which is to be no.1.
The reporter referred to the growing of Novak Djokovic as one of the important factors that have contributed to the constant upward line of his career.
”Novak was 12 years old when Belgrade and Yugoslavia were bombed, an experience that shaked him for life”, stated the CNN reporter.
“I don’t wish to anybody to go through some things we went through in 1999”, said Novak. “These are things you don’t want to remember, but somehow when you remember them, they make you stronger, and you appreciate things in your life, and value things in your life much more after that.”
The best Serbian tennis player added that he owed gratitude for his successful career to his first coach Jelena Gencic.
“Jelena Gencic was my first coach, I spent a lot of time with her. She taught me the basics of tennis, she’s like my second mother,” said Djokovic.
The Serbian tennis player spoke with great respect about Federer and Nadal.
“You have to give them credit for everything they have done. To compete with Roger, with Rafa, the two great champions, and with other players, gives me a lot of joy, and it’s a big challenge”, concluded Novak.
