Novak Djokovic: I Am In Peak Form, I Believe I Can Win Most Of The Matches I Play

It’s good to hear him continue to be positive. I hope Nole can play well throughout this season, whether he wins or loses this event in Dubai. The big events are what matter most: i.e., the slams. He will want to do well at those and possibly the Olympics as well. But this run he’s been on has been a treat for his fans, no matter what happens going forward.

February 26th, 2012 at 2:33 pm

There are some cute pics of Fed and Nole, together with the Dubai tournament organizers, marking the 20th anniversary of the event; they are at the ATP site.

February 26th, 2012 at 3:19 pm

“Djokovic and Federer set aside their rivalry for a moment to enjoy the view and couldn’t resist the chance to hit a few balls while on the helipad. They may be rivals but they are also very respectful of each other, Federer saying, “Novak was the best of the bunch in Dubai last year and it was great to see; I can only tip my hat to him and I expect him to be really tough as the year goes on.” That respect is mutual. “Roger has been such an iconic player, he was revolutionary in some ways, he’s changed the game and because of him this game is what it is at this moment,” said Novak. ”

http://www.atpworldtour.com/News/Tennis/2012/02/9/Dubai-20th-Anniversary-Burj-Federer-Djokovic.aspx

February 26th, 2012 at 3:20 pm

hi jane just wondering if you saw my question on the andy murray football thread?

February 26th, 2012 at 3:50 pm

Dubai’s PR events are well orchestrated by a team of top PR professionals to ensure the right sound bites are transmitted to the news media. Federer and Djokovic are celebrities who each get paid over a million dollars (plus expensive hotel suites and other benefits) by the Dubai organizers. Of course they will say what they are told to say. Don’t assume what they say for public consumption is the same as what they think or do behind each other’s backs. We saw Nadals true nature at the Australian Open, he changed his tune when it became a PR disaster.

February 26th, 2012 at 5:51 pm

But I am positive they are respectful of each other. How could you not be?!

February 26th, 2012 at 6:00 pm

Djoker and his family used to make disrespectful comments about Fed, especially in 2008 and 2009. Since the djokovic team hired a PR agent Djoker has been morecareful what he says. Is the respect genuine?

February 26th, 2012 at 6:17 pm

Djoker has had some some missteps with both Fed and Rafa ( re; Rafa..the gun incident ). And who can’t remember the Roddick stuff at USO a few years ago? All in all, he is maturing nicely and saying the right things. He has also the past few years given is main rivals lots of props and outspoken respect. When your # 1 and representing the whole sport, the responsibilities come along, an imo he’s coming along fine wrtt.

February 26th, 2012 at 7:01 pm

I am impressed with Djokovic’s maturity. For a long time, I thought he was satisfied to be number 3 in the world. But it looks like he feels comfortable at number 1 and envisions himself at the top spot for years to come. No one can say he doesn’t deserve it.

February 26th, 2012 at 7:30 pm

Novak is oozing with confidence. But why he should not ?? He demolished Nadal for seven straight times and that too in three majors. He had an unbelievable 2011 and which continues in 2012. He is on a sky high and raring to go. It is difficult to stop him. Only Roger at his best has a chance against Novak. Nobody else.

February 26th, 2012 at 11:21 pm

I always liked him, especially when he was growing up, when he was climbing the ladder. He was not welcomed by majority; he did not have anyone to stand behind him. His confidence that he belongs on top was not accepted gracefully. But even with all odds and forces against him he continues to climb up. I am sure that those dark forces will to wait and feed on any weakness or doubt from his side. But at the same time I am confident that they will relinquish with the time.

February 27th, 2012 at 12:57 am

I always liked him, especially when he was growing up, when he was climbing the ladder. He was not welcomed by majority; he did not have anyone to stand behind him. His confidence that he belongs on top was not accepted gracefully. But even with all odds and forces against him he continues to climb up. I am sure that those dark forces will wait and feed on any weakness and doubt from his side. But at the same time I am confident that they will relinquish with the time!

February 27th, 2012 at 12:59 am

michael no offence but why is it almost every time you send in a post,that you have to always remind us of all of rafas 8 defeats against novak?as if we dont already know anyway,its a little irritating to us fare rafa fans.

February 27th, 2012 at 11:41 am

Another Year end #1 for Novak in 2012.

February 27th, 2012 at 2:12 pm

Michael, if you consider Nole’s victory in this years Aussie Open final was a “demolition”, all I can say is, you have a strange concept of the word.
Indeed, can any victory that takes five sets be so called?

February 27th, 2012 at 2:41 pm

colin yeah great post rafa was actually 4 2 up in that final set too,not only that some of there other matches were quite close aswell,a fine line sometimes between success and failure,sometimes luck goes for you and sometimes it goes against you,hes a great player dont get me wrong,and on a rich vien of form,but its not like he didnt get beaten by some really good players last year either,btw nice to see you posting again colin and i hope your ok.

February 27th, 2012 at 3:06 pm

Guys, I love Rafa, but by the standards you use, we can also say that Novak should have won both the USO and the AO with a set less. He lost many a match from Rafa (Madrid 09.) or Roger because of a line there, a tip of the net here. We can talk ad nauseum about the scenarios of “what if”. But, what’s done is done, we have to accept the losses and the wins of our favorites and give credit where credit is due. I agree that Novak didn’t demolish Rafa in AO, but my opinion is that Wimbledon, Rome, Madrid and even USO, were quite comfortable wins.

February 27th, 2012 at 4:01 pm

danica i think you misunderstood my post,im not saying that nole did not deserve those wins im just saying that some of the matches were close,everyone has luck sometimes,and dont get me wrong nole certainly deserves his now,nole was lucky to actually reach the final at rome though,murray actually choked when serving at match point,same with berdych at the wtfs,however luck evens itself out i believe,rafas my favourite too but noles a lovely guy,and i have no problem and give him full credit for what hes doing now.

February 27th, 2012 at 4:21 pm

Danica given the mind blowing physic.lity of the NOle/Muzza semi and the one day turnaround its astonishing that Nole could win at all. i thought last years USO was the most physical match i’d seen until i watched the semi on youtube. Rafa couldn’t have asked for a better setup and still probably should have gone down in 4. i don’t know if he’ll have a better chaance than that

February 27th, 2012 at 4:29 pm

@jamie,

…you are next on my list that i am going to by drink, but please give him, Nole, FO and I don’t care about other two GS! Will you do that for me (and drink), PLEASE ;(

February 27th, 2012 at 6:45 pm

@Wog boy

Nole will not win FO this year. It’s written in the stars.

February 27th, 2012 at 7:01 pm

interesting article about marko djokovic

http://uk.eurosport.yahoo.com/27022012/58/marko-djokovic-name-adds-pressure.html

February 27th, 2012 at 7:19 pm

@jamie

You are heartless, doeasn’t matter I will by you a drink if Nole finishes #1 2012.

I was thinking, if I offer you and the lady some aprecciation money, is there chance that stars can move around, just little bit, so Nole winns FO, just asking ?

February 27th, 2012 at 7:22 pm

Kimmi, nice and honest article, thanks.

February 27th, 2012 at 7:32 pm

Alison,

Sorry. It was not intentional. I just wanted to describe the year Novak had and his best achievement according to me was to defeat Nadal for seven consecutive times is out of the world. It is difficult to beat Nadal even once, but seven straight times is something incredible. I had not meant this with an intent to besmirch Nadal, but if this had hurt Rafans in this forum, I am sorry once again. I have the greatest respect for him although I am a Roger Fan.

February 27th, 2012 at 11:19 pm

Alison,

Once again I wish to remind you that at Rome Murray did not choke at match point because he never had a match point and he was only serving for the match.

February 27th, 2012 at 11:21 pm

Alison,

In the 5th set, Nadal was up 4-2 nodoubt about it. But if you analyse the match, Novak had many break point chances in the 5th set which did not go his way. He even was up a break in the fourth. Therefore, to dissect the match in bits and parts will not give the exact picture. Novak was lucky and so too was Rafa to have extended the match.

February 27th, 2012 at 11:25 pm

Colin,

For sure, I cannot call that Australian Open finals as a demolition. It was a very close match but for me Novak was clearly the better player in the match. Similarly the Indian Wells and Miami finals also were too close to call and it was difficult to choose who was the better player. Sorry, it was a slip of the tongue.

February 27th, 2012 at 11:28 pm

Jamie, if your pshysic is correct, who will win IW and Miami this year?
Told us before these tournaments begin

February 28th, 2012 at 12:10 pm

She only watches and predicts slams.

February 28th, 2012 at 12:19 pm

Wog boy Says:
@jamie

You are heartless, doeasn’t matter I will by you a drink if Nole finishes #1 2012.

I was thinking, if I offer you and the lady some aprecciation money, is there chance that stars can move around, just little bit, so Nole winns FO, just asking ?

February 27th, 2012 at 7:22 pm

____________________

LOL. We can’t do that.

February 28th, 2012 at 12:22 pm

@jamie:

Cost nothing to ask.

February 28th, 2012 at 7:57 pm

Psychic Predictions for 2012:

AO: Djokovic(duh)

FO: Nadal

Wimbledon: Murray

Olympics: Federer

USO: Djokovic

March 1st, 2012 at 8:24 pm