Ivan Ljubicic: Djokovic Isn’t Happy, He Wants More, And He’s Going To Get More
In a new article by the NY Times by Christopher Clarey, veteran Ivan Ljubicic touched on a number of topics as he prepares for his farewell tournament at the Monte Carlo Rolex Masters this week.
Speaking about friend Novak Djokovic, the Croatian said to expect more good things from the World No. 1.
“Even now, when I go out to eat with him and I’m hanging around him, you see how focused he is on his life and tennis,” Ljubicic said. “He’s really careful what he eats, how much he eats, what he drinks. He’s totally focused. He wants this thing to last. He’s not happy with what he’s achieved. He wants more, and he’s going to get more, that’s for sure.”
He also said the next wave of players will have to be attack minded to defeat the current stars at the top.
“The young guys coming up, if they want to be competitive with Djokovic, Nadal and Murray, they cannot defend better than them, it’s not possible,” Ljubicic said. “So they have to attack. I think the tactical game of tennis is going to change, and I think in the next five to 10 years, we’re going to have big guys, probably very aggressive guys.”
The 33-year-old Ljubicic reached a career-high ranking of No. 3 in 2006. He claimed 10 ATP titles in 24 finals, his last win being the 2010 Indian Wells Masters 1000 where he beat Djokovic, Rafael Nadal and Andy Roddick. He also was a semifinalist at the 2006 French Open.
Ljubicic is known for his massive serve and terrific one-handed backhand. (And bald head!)
In closing, Ljubicic told the Times: “It was all an incredible journey from zero to what I am at the moment, and when I say zero, it’s really zero,” Ljubicic said. “I’m really proud of what I did and how I did it.”
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