04. 05. 2009. ·
As a guest in the show ‘The Witness’ on RTS, the best Serbian tennis player Novak Djokovic says that the most important thing to him is to always be surrounded by people and professionals who will improve his game. Shades decide in the matches against Federer, Nadal and Murray, and noone is unbeatable, says Novak. Nadal is justifiably the best player in the world, and his greatest advantages are patience and stability.
Responding to the qustions of the host of ‘Witness’ and a head editor of the news programme of RTS, Nenad Lj. Stefanovic, if he thinks that the world’s best tennis player is invincible, Djokovic says that Nadal is the strongest player and has the greatest stamina and stability.
”Mental ability to cope with the pressure and responsibility in a given moment is what separates the world’s top tennis players from the others. The first 100 tennis players in the world do not differ much, those are mostly nuances and mental structure” – explains the best Serbian tennis player.
It is important to be mentally and physically ready
Novak says that in tennis there is no place for slack and it is necessary to go step by step to come to the top, especially in the game with the best tennis players who are physically and mentally ready.
After being criticised for his fitness, Novak says that now he has a new fitness coach.
”My body can not develop into the body of Rafael Nadal and I need more time to reach the certain level of fitness. But I think I can progress”, says Djokovic.
I’m emotional, although sometimes it is not desirable in tennis
Novak says he’s very temperamental and emotional, on court and off court, and that he knows it is sometimes not desirable, because in the matches with the calm players you need to stay calm and not show your weaknesses.
Speaking of friendship among the tennis players Novak says that he has correct relationship with Federer, and that he’s closer with Nadal and has only words of praise for him, both as a tennis player and as a person.
Djokovic says that it is very important to have a good relationship with the tennis fans and to present youself in public with your charisma and smile.
Speaking of his impersonations, some players didn’t think that was nice, and Djokovic says that he will not do it anymore because he doesn’t want to have a bad relationship with some of his colleagues. “My intention was not to ridicule and irritate players”, explains Novak.
My health is my priority
Commenting on the allegations of some colleagues that he’s acting he’s injured on court, Novak emphasizes that he has never done it, and he never will.
”My health is my priority. If you offer me tomorrow to be number one in the world and that for it I have to risk my health, I will decline it very smoothly.”
Novak explains that the grand sport has changed lately, because the tennis players can no longer allow themselves to skip tournaments to recover. They can lose a large number of points.
Doping controls in tennis are rigorous, and tennis players are obliged to call antidoping controllers every day during the year, or they’ll be punished, says Djokovic.
Novak explains the success of tennis players from Serbia (the English press said that they have ‘hunger for success’). They had to do everything by themselves, without help , as opposed to Andy Murray for example and other British tennis players who had great help and support from their country. He said that he’s proud he has great support from the serbian audience.
I am proud that Serbia has an ATP tournament
I was positively surprised how many people follow and adhere to our success, and it’s our pleasure to share itt with them.
Novak says his brothers, Marko and Djordje, are improving in their tennis careers and he supports them, but he can not dedicate enough time to them.
Djokovic says that he’s proud that Serbia will host the first ATP tournament, and that the credit goes to his whole family.
Responding to the question whether he is aware that he’s a role model to large number of children, Novak says that he’s happy for that but he does not want to let that change him, and that he always stands firmly on the ground.
”Being an idol and a role models can only make me proud and encourage me to try even more to make a progress and, above all, bring happiness to children and young tennis players of Serbia.”
Source: RTS
