ATP

ATP Cincinnati – Novak Djokovic: “It was cold. Started to rain a little bit. It was very windy. It's not easy to play”

Published

10 years ago

13/08/2014

TENNIS ATP CINCINNATI – 12^th of August 2014. N. Djokovic d. G. Simon 6-3, 4-6, 6-4. An interview with Novak Djokovic

Q. Congratulations on the win. Gilles had five consecutive games against you at one point last part of the second set, early in the third. What was the problem at that time?

NOVAK DJOKOVIC: Just wasn’t able to hit the ball as well as I did first set and a half. I think he’s a very tricky player, very solid from both sides, from the baseline. You know, he’s not going to give you too many unforced errors and free points, so I knew that.

His lateral movement behind the baseline is very good. He’s making player, you know, play an extra shot. So try to mix it up, change the pace, get the right angle. Was working quite well, and then suddenly I start making unforced errors and backed up a little bit and he started, you know, dominating the rallies. That’s what happened.

Then it was a pretty even third set up to the end. But again, you know, it’s a fight. I’m just glad I managed to win this one.

Q. You had a lot of irritated looks on your face in the course of the match. I’m just wondering if you feel like it’s good to get that win even though you’re not playing that well? What were you feeling out there?

NOVAK DJOKOVIC: Well, look, let’s be honest. I don’t enjoy playing bad. I don’t enjoy missing a lot of balls from the baseline. You know, that was frustrating for me.

But I managed to get a W in the end, and that’s what matters. You know, I spoke to my team before trying to get the right mindset, and, you know, competitive intensity on the court.

You know, I think I did well for the most part of the match. End of the second, start of the third wasn’t that great. But, look, I try to take positives from every match. I know I’m not playing at the level yet where I want to be and it’s obvious, but I keep on pushing myself.

Every day is a new challenge to try to, you know, look out for a better game tomorrow and after tomorrow, and hopefully it’s going to come.

Q. You said in your on court interview you just didn’t feel comfortable on the court. Is that the conditions or your own game or a combination?

NOVAK DJOKOVIC: Well, it’s a combination. The conditions were the same for both of us. Truth is that they were quite strange, you know. It was cold. Started to rain a little bit. It was very windy. It’s not easy to play, especially when you play somebody like Simon who gets every ball back and makes you play.

Sometimes you feel like you’re not able to take advantage of the short balls, and I lost my footing there a little bit and framed some shots.

You know, it’s easy to lose the confidence in your shots. That’s why for some part of the match I was irritated a little bit, but I managed to come back.

Q. How easy is it for you to concentrate on tennis right now compared to other times?

NOVAK DJOKOVIC: I mean, look, tennis is a big part of my life. I enjoy the sport. I love this sport. I love competing, traveling, you know, being around people who care about me, who sacrifice their lives for me to be here and most of their time. I don’t take that for granted.

I understand that many people who are not as fortunate as I am to do what they love to do. To be top of the world in this sport, it’s quite a remarkable, so I always try to remind myself of that.

Things have big things have happened in my life recently. Of course I got married and soon to be a father hopefully, so of course these are the joyful moments in life one can experience.

That obviously is going to affect my, you know, priorities in life. But tennis wise I’m going to, of course, as long as I have this passion for the sport, keep on going and keep on practicing and working and hoping that I can win many big titles and stay No. 1.

Q. You construct points very well. It seemed a little odd that on a fast hardcourt some of the rallies were extended 15, 20 shots. Seemingly you came up on the short end of most of those. Any thoughts on why there were so many long rallies tonight?

NOVAK DJOKOVIC: As I said, I think it worked well for 6 3, 4 2. Most of the rallies I was in control. I changed the length of my shots, the pace, the spin, the angles.

But then again, as I was saying before, Gilles is a very consistent player from baseline. If you start making some unforced errors and if you start doubting your shots for a little bit, that’s where he strikes.

That’s what happened, really, and it was kind of difficult to make the shots that I was making for most part of the first part of the match.

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Rafael Nadal To Play Laver Cup In Berlin

Published

3 days ago

22/04/2024

Adam Addicott

Rafael Nadal has eased speculation that he might be retiring from the sport soon after signing on to play in the Laver Cup later this year.

The 22-time Grand Slam champion is the latest player to join the line-up for this year’s team competition which features Europe taking on the rest of the world over three days. It will be Nadal’s fourth appearance in the competition and his first since 2022. He competed in the inaugural edition of the event back in 2017 alongside co-founder Roger Federer.

“I am very happy to be playing Laver Cup in Berlin for Team Europe,” Nadal said in a press release. “I have some really special memories from my Laver Cup experiences, including all the emotions from London two years ago playing alongside Roger for the last time.”

Nadal’s decision to play comes amid questions about his future in the sport. The former world No.1 has previously indicated that this year could be his last on the Tour but he has stated that no decision has been made. In recent months he has been sidelined from action due to injury setbacks and has only been able to play in two tournaments so far this year.

“At this stage in my career I really want to go out there and make the most of every opportunity I am given,” he explains.
“Teaming up is always an incredible experience and I have always enjoyed it, the competition is different and exciting. I’m looking forward to going to Berlin and helping Team Europe win back the Laver Cup.”

Other European players confirmed to be playing are Carlos Alcaraz, Daniil Medvedev and Alexander Zverev. Meanwhile, Alex de Minaur, Taylor Fritz and Tommy Paul have agreed to play for Team World. This year’s event will be held in Belin at the Uber Arena between September 20-22.

The Laver Cup was inspired by golf’s Ryder Cup. It was co-founded by Federer’s Team8 management company (which he formed with agent Tony Godsick), businessman Jorge Paulo Lemann and Tennis Australia. In 2019 it became an official ATP sanction event and now has a place on the official calendar.

Nadal is set to return to competitive action at the Madrid Masters which he has won on five previous occasions. He has been drawn to play teenage wild card Darwin Blanch in the first round. If he wins, Nadal will then play Alex de Minaur who knocked him out of the Barcelona Open last week.

ATP

Carlos Alcaraz In Doubt For Madrid Open Title Defence

Published

1 week 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

2 weeks 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.