11. 01. 2011. · Photo: Australian Open Official Site
Nole began his ninth professional season on January 2, 2011, at the 23rd edition of Perth’s Hopman Cup.
Nole and Ana represented Serbia. They reached the finals of the eight-nation exhibition event as group A leaders (defeated Kazakhstan and Australia, lost to Belgium), but were replaced by Belgium as Ana Ivanovic withdrew due to an abdominal strain.
Novak will next play at the first Grand Slam of the season – Australian Open, which begins on Monday, January 17, at Melbourne Park.
“It’s been three years since I won my only grand slam,” Djokovic told The Times. “After that a lot of people expected me to win one more, a couple more, because I was really on the top of my game. But for some reason, mentally I was destabilised. I was always trying things, changing the racket. Everyone goes through a mini-crisis. You have to overcome it, you have to stand up and say, ‘OK, now I really want to get back, now I have to dedicate myself to the sport and get a couple of good years and reach the lifetime goal, to be No. 1’.”
2008 Australian Open champion Novak Djokovic took his steps on court at Melbourne Park on Tuesday when he practised on centre court at Rod Laver Arena in preparation for his attack on the 2011 Australian Open crown.
“I think I have all the qualities that I need to do it,” said Novak. “Obviously I have great guys around that are able to win grand slams, even more now, but obviously Federer, Nadal are the best. But I’ve won against them and I know what it takes on the big stage.”
Last year Nole lost in quarterfinals to Jo-Wilfried Tsonga in five sets 6-7(8), 7-6(5), 6-1, 3-6, 1-6.
Here is Novak’s calendar of tournaments for the first five months of 2011:
17.01. Melbourne, Australia (Grand Slam)
07.02. Rotterdam, Netherlands (ATP 500)
21.02. Dubai, UAE (ATP 500)
04.03. Novi Sad, Serbia (Davis Cup)
07.03. Indian Wells, USA (ATP 1000)
21.03. Miami, USA (ATP 1000)
11.04. Monte Carlo, Monaco (ATP 1000)
25.04. Belgrade, Serbia (ATP 250)
02.05. Madrid, Spain (ATP 1000)
09.05. Rome, Italy (ATP 1000)
23.05. Paris, France (Grand Slam)
