Serbia tennis star No. 1 faces difficult test at Indian Wells
Djokovic: Roddick is tough to beat in USA
Author: T. D. | 20.03.2009 - 05:00
Novak Djokovic will face a formidable task in the Indian Wells quarter-final
when he takes on home crowd favourite Andy Roddick. The Serb and the number
seven seed last met at the Australian Open, when Novak retired while Roddick
was leading 6-7 6-4 6-2 2-1.
The American tied their head-to-head record at 2-2 with the win in Melbourne
against an opponent who can hardly be labelled one of his favourite personas at
the ATP Tour. Roddick often speaks out unfavourably of Djokovic, claiming the
Serb retires from matches all too often. The American former world’s number
one said after the defeat at the hands of Djokovic at last September’s US Open
that the Serb was suffering from 16 injuries and that he was faking it, while
Djokovic replied by saying the scolding only inspired him to win. Subsequently,
the two publically reconciled, as Roddick said he was only joking and that
Novak had to take the comments that way and do the same to others.
- “What was said, was said. I reacted according with how I felt about it all
at the moment. I may have done him wrong, and I may have not. Regardless of
all, I like to play here because here I had my best result, the Grand Slam
title aside. It’s hard to play against Roddick, especially on the American
soil.”
- “He likes to play on hard-court surfaces and we’ve had a number of tight
matches in the past 18 months. His biggest asset is his serve, and I think he’
s improved a lot in the past months. I don’t accept the role of favourite in
this match, as it will be a big challenge for both of us,” said Djokovic.
Roddick is not criticising his big rival in public any more.
- “Are we the best of friends? No, but we respect each other,” said the
American.
Djokovic is defending his last season’s title at Indian Wells, just like his
compatriot Ana Ivanovic in the women’s draw. On the way to retaining the crown
he disposed of the tricky challenge of Stanislas Wawrinka in the fourth round
(7-6 7-6).
- “I know I’m not playing great at the moment, but it takes some expertise to
win a match in two tie-breakers. I was not that convincing in the first part of
the Dubai event either, but as the tournament progressed I raised my game and
eventually won the event. I believe that could be the case here too,” Novak is
optimistic.
The Serbian number one has clinched one title in 2009, but suggests an
improvement in form with a place in the Indian Wells quarter-finals.
- “I’ve made a step forward. I need to believe in myself because I deserve to
be here. I have the potential to improve; I’m only 21 and there’s still room
for upgrading my game. I need to try and be as consistent as possible at major
tournaments.”
Novak Djokovic contributes to the promotion of his home country of Serbia and
the domestic tennis worldwide. Moreover, he participates in the process of
developing new young talents and future champions.
- “Serbia is currently living for tennis and now it’s the right moment for us
to forge a system back home, in order to enable the kids to become true
professionals one day. I assure there are plenty of kids who are exceptionally
talented and that their rocketing success is only a matter of whether they get
the proper support from the system. I can be of assistance to a certain extent,
but I appear at ATP tournaments worldwide and I am often not in Serbia and it’
s a job the Tennis Association should get their hands on.”
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※ 編輯: wop875 來自: 218.171.180.243 (03/20 23:23)