ATP

Novak Djokovic: “I talked with Boris. We obviously need to work on my diving volleys”

Published

10 years ago

28/06/2014

TENNIS WIMBLEDON 2014 – 27^th of June. N. Djokovic d. G. Simon 6-4, 6-2, 6-4. An interview with Novak Djokovic

Q. How would you describe how you hurt your shoulder and its condition?

NOVAK DJOKOVIC: It was obviously a scary fall. And, you know, I talked with Boris. We obviously need to work on my diving volleys, learning how to fall down on the court. I’m not very skillful in that (smiling).

I tried to land on my left arm. I basically had a strong impact on the shoulder. When I stood up, you know, I felt that click or pop, whatever you call it. I feared, you know, maybe it might be a dislocated shoulder or something like that, or joint problem.

But luckily for me it was only an impact that had a minor effect on the joint and the muscles around, but no damage, significant, that can cause a bigger problem.

I just came from the doctor’s office, ultrasound. It’s all looking good.

Q. Other than working with Boris the next couple of days on your diving, how will this affect your regimen?

NOVAK DJOKOVIC: As I said, there is no major damage which means that I’m quite confident that it will not affect my physical state or regimen or daily routine.

I think it’s going to be fine. Anyway, they told me usually in these kind of particular cases you might feel soreness in the next couple of days. But I can play around with practices and recovery and see how it goes. But I’m quite confident it’s going to be all right for next one.

Q. Any issue with your footwear? Last year there was a bit of a problem and you had to change the tread. Is that something that’s causing a problem on the grass?

NOVAK DJOKOVIC: Well, look, the rules are the same for everybody considering the footwear. Adidas shoes that I’ve been using for most of my professional career are quite good for the grass courts. They’re the same like Andy Murray’s or any other adidas player.

In last couple of years there were some, you know, talks and rumors about certain players having a little bit of an advantage with the sole of the shoe, but this year the referee’s office made sure that all the shoes, regardless of the ranking of the player, is exactly the same and according to the rules.

The grass courts are usually slippery at the beginning of the tournament, especially at the back of the court where I spend most of my time. It happens that you slip and fall. It happens to everybody, especially when you change the direction quickly. It’s a very dynamic sport. So we all know that there is always a potential, a danger that you’re going to fall down several times during the match the opening week.

But, again, there is not a big difference in courts. I would say slightly it’s more slippery than it was last year. But, you know, that’s grass. You can’t expect it to be different.

Q. You face Jo-Wilfried Tsonga next. What do you fear most about his game?

NOVAK DJOKOVIC: I don’t fear anything. I expect him to serve well. I think that’s his advantage. Obviously the serve in any corner. Coming to the net, he’s a very aggressive player. If he’s on, if he feels good on the certain day, he can beat anybody really.

Going back a few years ago, playing semifinals against him, 2011, I remember that match well, and also Olympic Games. I won both of the matches but I know what threat he can cause on this surface.

Q. A couple of the younger players who have been trying to break into the top four, to make it to finals and win majors the way you and the other three guys in the top four have, have said they’ve learned a lot from the way you four conduct yourself. What would you most want them to learn from the way you four as a group have conducted yourself on and off the court?

NOVAK DJOKOVIC: I think you have mentioned something that I think is really important, not just for a top player, a successful tennis player on the court, but also somebody that carries the name of this sport in a proper way and understands the responsibility of being a top player in a very global sport.

Having the right and proper balance between on and off court responsibilities and duties, aside the fact that you are always there to perform your best, to give your maximum of your effort, not just for you and your opponent, but for all the crowd that is coming to see you. So this is something that young players will discover and will learn in the future that every single match, wherever they are, they always have to give their best.

As they climb the rankings ladder, they will also encounter a lot of pressure, expectations from the media, from the people.

It’s not any more about them being tennis players, it’s about them being complete personalities who represent this sport.

I believe there is this responsibility of respecting your opponents, respecting everybody, respecting the sport, respecting and being grateful for the opportunity to be there.

I think, in my eyes, that’s essential for anybody who is at the top.

Q. You famously celebrate your victory by eating the grass. Some climb into the player’s box. This year Wimbledon is encouraging players not to climb up on the roof if they win. Should players be free to celebrate as they wish?

NOVAK DJOKOVIC: That was also kind of a part of traditional celebrations in all the Grand Slams, especially here in Wimbledon.

I can’t say it’s wrong for the players to go straight to their box after they win the match because I understand the need to share this beautiful moment and victory with your closest ones.

Maybe it doesn’t look proper for this kind of history and tradition we have in Centre Court in Wimbledon, for the rules, just the general image. But I believe that’s also part of sincere emotions that the players show in the end, wanting to celebrate with their closest ones.

Q. Over the past months you’ve been a little reluctant to share all the tips and suggestions that Boris has made. He’s the best diver in the history of this game. Could you reveal what he’s told you already or what you anticipate him telling you about the dive?

NOVAK DJOKOVIC: I know you would like to hear a lot about what we talk about in the relationship and so forth. But, you know, I can’t talk too much. Those are the kind of instructions I get.

But generally where he helps me the most and where I feel the biggest change is from a mental point of view. Obviously it’s going to take a little bit of time for us to find the perfect balance and the work that we have will reflect on the court with results.

I mean, we already have now couple titles together. We have finals of French Open. It’s already starting to build up. I start to feel the effect of his advices and his presence.

Of course we are working on certain parts of my game. But there are no major changes, and there will not be any major changes. I will not start serving and volleying because this is not the way I’ve been brought up or I’ve been learned to play. I’m a different player than what he was in terms of play. But in terms of mental approach and a couple of other things, I find that we have a lot of things in common.

That’s where I always look forward to talk with him and to get this necessary experience from him and use it in my own case.

Q. You feel it’s helping you and you’re trending in the right direction?

NOVAK DJOKOVIC: Of course. That’s the reason why he’s there, because we want to have a success together. We want to come up with a new kind of approach that is going to allow me to grow mentally and of course as a player, and hopefully that can be very soon.

Related Topics:Gilles Simon Novak Djokovic Wimbledon

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ATP

Carlos Alcaraz In Doubt For Madrid Open Title Defence

Published

4 days ago

16/04/2024

Adam Addicott

Carlos Alcaraz admits that he is not certain if he will be ready in time to play at next week’s Madrid Masters.

The 20-year-old is yet to play a clay tournament in Europe due to a forearm injury which ruled him out of both Monte Carlo and Barcelona. He hurt his right arm whilst training shortly before the Monte Carlo event began.

It is the latest in a series of injury issues that has affected Alcaraz throughout his young career. Since the start of 2023, he has also been derailed by issues with his abdominal, hamstring, post-traumatic arthritis in his left hand and muscular discomfort in his spine.

“My feeling isn’t right, but it is what it is. Now I’m fully focused on recovery and I have a little more time,” Alcaraz told reporters in Barcelona on Monday.
“My goal is to try and go to the Madrid Open, but at the moment nothing is certain. I was given specific recovery times and I’ve respected them, but I haven’t felt good. I don’t want to get ahead of myself.
“I can’t say I’ll be 100% in Madrid, but that’s my intention. We’ll train and do everything we can so that the feelings improve so I can play a match … It’s also a very special tournament for me.”

Alcaraz has won the past two editions of the Madrid Open, which is classed as a Masters 1000 event. In 2022 he defeated Alexander Zverev in the final and then 12 months later he beat Jan-Lennard Struff in the title match.

The setback comes after what has been a steady start to the year for Alcaraz who has reached the quarter-finals or better in four out of five tournaments played. He successfully defended his title in Indian Wells and then reached the semi-finals in Miami.

Should he not play in Madrid, it is likely that the Spaniard will lose his No.2 spot to Jannik Sinner who is just over 100 points behind him in the standings. He will still have the chance to play a clay-court event before the French Open with Rome taking place early next month.

ATP

Olympic Qualification Is Not the Only Goal For French Veteran Gael Monfils

Published

1 week ago

10/04/2024

Adam Addicott

Gael Monfils (image via https://twitter.com/atptour)

Gael Monfils admits he doesn’t have too many years left on the Tour but this doesn’t mean his targets are any less ambitious.

The 37-year-old has enjoyed a rapid rise up the rankings over the past 12 months following battles with injury. At his lowest, he was ranked 394th last May but is now in 40th position. As a result, he is closing on securing a place in the Olympic Games which is being held in his home country of France for the first time since 1924. The tennis event will be staged at Roland Garros.

“When I was 400, I was thinking the Olympics would be great, but it’s going to be tough,” Monfils told reporters on Tuesday.
“There are younger players playing well. If I don’t qualify, I don’t mind. It will just mean I’m very close to the ranking I want to be. That ranking will allow me to find another goal.”

Monfils is already a three-time Olympian but has never won a medal at the event. He reached the quarter-finals of the singles tournament twice in 2008 and 2016.

Another goal of Frenchmen is the Wimbledon championships which concludes just three weeks before the Olympics begin. The proximity of these tournaments will be a challenge to all players who will be going from playing on clay to grass and then back to clay again.

“I really want to go and play Wimbledon. I don’t have so many Wimbledons to play in the future. The Olympics is one goal, not the only goal.” Monfils states.
“My dream is of course to be part of the Olympics. I played three times at the Olympics. I’d like to be there again. But I also really want to do well in Wimbledon this year. To reach my goal, it has to be including Wimbledon.” He added.

Monfils is currently playing at the Monte Carlo Masters where he beat Aleksandar Vukic in his opening match. In the next round, he will take on Daniil Medvedev in what will be their first meeting since 2022. He leads their head-to-head 2-1.

Medvedev has openly spoken about his roller-coaster relationship with playing on the clay. He admits it is not his favourite surface but how much of a factor could this be in his upcoming clash with Monfils?

“Of course, it’s not his favourite one, but he’s still Daniil Medvedev, and whatever the surface, it’s always very complicated to play him,” Monfils concludes.

ATP

Matteo Berrettini wins in Marrakech displaying quality tennis

Published

2 weeks ago

07/04/2024

Kingsley Elliot Kaye

Matteo Berrettini - Marrakech 2024 (photo X @ATPTour_ES)

Matteo Berrettini defeats Roberto Carballes Baena in straight sets, 75 62, and proves that his comeback is well grounded

If life is often considered a continuous narrative, it may be no coincidence that today Matteo Berrettini’s comeback journey intersescted Carballes Baena, a player he had faced twice in straight tournaments, Florence and Naples in October 2022, shortly before plunging into his annus horribilis, an injury-plagued 2023.

Just like resuming the story from where it was left.

Carballes Baena, the defending champion, got off to a sharper start, holding serve with ease and earning a first break point in the second game. Berrettini averted the threat by hammering down three serves but lost his service two games later.

Doubts on the Italian’s recovery from his energy-draining semifinal may have been starting to come afloat. However Berrettini broke back immediately, unsettling the Spaniard’s consistency with changes of pace and alternating lifted and sliced backhands.

The next six games neatly followed serve. Figures witness how close the match was. After 45 minutes the scoreboard read 5 games all, and stats reported 27 points apiece.

The eleventh game was to be crucial. Carballes Baena netted two forehands, while trying to hit through the Italian’s skidding spins and conceded a break point. Berrettini followed up two massive forehands with a delicate, unreachable drop shot and secured the break.

Carballes Baena was far from discouraged, and fired two forehand winners dashing to 0 40 with the Italian serving for the set.

Berrettini was lucky to save the first break point with a forehand that pinched the top of the net, and trickled over. Then he hit two winning first serves to draw even. Then again two first serves paired with their loyal forehand winner: Berrettini’s copyright gamepattern sealed a 59 minute first set.

The match seemed about to swing round at the very start of the second set when Carballes Baena had three break points and was winning all the longer rallies. Once more Berrettini got out of trouble thanks to his serve. Carballes Baena’s disappointment turned into frustration after he failed to put away two quite comfortable smashes and lost his service immediately after.

Unforced errors were seeping into the Spaniard’s game and when Berrettini won a 16-shot rally with a stunning crosscourt forehand on the stretch and went on to grab a two-break lead, the match appeared to have taken its final twist.

Berrettini did not falter when serving for the match at 5 2, despite an unforced error on the first point. Three first serves chauffeured him to two match points.

Carballes Baena only succeeded in bravely saving the first, well steering the rally. But the 2021 Wimbledon finalist produced a massive serve out wide and joyfully lifted his arms to the sky, for a most emotional victory. It means so much to a player whose talent and career have been incessantly diminished by injuries.

“It’s been a tough last couple of years” Matteo Berrettini said, holding the trophy. “Thanks to my team I was able to overcome all the tough moments my body didn’t allow me to play. I thank you and all the people that made my comeback possible: all my friends and my family, the people that were with me all the time when I was sad, injured and I didn’t think I could make it.”