She Said Yes! Novak Djokovic And Jelena Ristic Are Married

All the best to the beautiful couple, may you win lot more of GS and play great tennis Novak.
Jelena, enjoy the love of your life, have your son, and raise him in true Serbian spirit.
May God bless your union and bring you only health and happines, and keep loving each other…..for two of you are the inspiration to Serbian people……..
God bless.

July 11th, 2014 at 10:09 am

“have your son ….”. Does @Lillian know something we don’t??

July 11th, 2014 at 11:13 am

She said “Yes”!

Good job she isn’t like a certain Irish golfer. She might have changed her mind at the last minute.

July 11th, 2014 at 11:20 am

Congrats to Nole,Jelena and baby to be,i hope you all have a happy life together,i must say i find it strange when they say these things are admid tight security,yet the whole world seems to know about it,and the pictures then get published in OK or Hello magazine,anyway they are a cute couple,she will make a beautiful bride,and he will make a handsome groom….

July 11th, 2014 at 12:43 pm

@alison. This must be the third or fourth time you have offered congratulations. #JustSaying

July 11th, 2014 at 12:50 pm

^Whats your point?^….

July 11th, 2014 at 12:52 pm

Yes congrats to Novak and Jelena
Esp to Jelena (if no prenuptial has been signed)!

July 11th, 2014 at 12:52 pm

HC. Repetitive in the extreme as always!

July 11th, 2014 at 12:58 pm

CDP LOL dont be so cynical….

July 11th, 2014 at 1:07 pm

Giles yourself and Mem seem to think of me as some closet Novak fan whos merely masquarading as a Rafa fan simply because i dont believe hes perfect or kiss his backside,and Bad Knee Rules seems to think im some Novak hater because im exactly the same with him,so just to set everybody straight,im neither a closet Novak fan or a Novak hater,whether or not you choose to believe me is entirely up to you,and theres not much i can do about that,but as far as im concerned then thats you all that have the problem and not me….

July 11th, 2014 at 1:21 pm

I finally (and it is better this way) managed to watch the WB final, on youtube. I gave myself a day free so I looked at some highlights too.

What I noticed first was the very high level of play. You had everything: aces, passing shots, winners from both sides, sublime volleying, CC rallies, spin, slice, whatever. It was a display of overwhelming craft from both sides. The winners/UE ratio is here to testify about it. I’ll mention just two moments: one, when Roger made four aces in a row, to lead 5-4 in the third set. He made 85% of first serves in that set, scored 13 aces, and lost barely a point for most of the set; then, a rally where Novak dictated with his backhand at 2-2 in the fifth set: he played it cross court, down the line, inside out, every time at three inches of the lines.

There have immediately been comparaisons with the famous Borg-JMac match from 1980, and the Fedal of 2008. While I believe that you can’t really compare modern tennis with the one from the era of wooden racquets, a comparaison with the match played six years ago was quite possible. So I rewatched parts of that game and, instead of focusing on comparing the matches, on asserting the differences in quality, I couldn’t avoid the impression that, six years ago, the grass was slower. Federer hit time and again powerful, flat inside out forehands then, just to see them come back; he served on the lines then too, with more speed and strength, but Nadal retrieved almost everything. The rebounds seem higher too, and Rafa hit his backhand from an ideal height, while Federer had to hit his shoulder high. Strategically, that match was simpler too: Rafa’s gameplan was the same as always, and Roger had less options at his disposal, and over and over again forgot he was playing a lefty, hitting inside out instead of inside in and down the line when he should have played cross court. But his main problem was his return patterns, something deeply rooted and automatized by years of training — the ball landed always on the wrong side of the court, at the wrong depth. A powerful weapon against most of the players — we have seen it again in the semi-final, this year, against such a server as Raonic — it became a major weakness against a lefty hitting his forehand with so much power and spin that underspinned balls rotating at 3000 r/m didn’t bother him. This probably was the main reason for his loss in that match: Roger and Rafa had the same number of break points: thirteen, but Roger converted just one, while Rafa managed to win four.

Was the grass different? Slower? I checked the stats at Tennis Abstract, and there were no noticeable differences since 2011: the courts at SW19 are among the fastest on the Tour, the fastest grass courts there are (Queens is far slower by comparaison). Then, finally, it could be just an impression: Nadal’s defence was ferocious that day.

It was essentially a different kind of game, too. While Federer served about the same number of times (192/195; and won just thee points less on serve in the 2014 match: 128 for 131 in 2008), Djokovic served 174 times, while Nadal served 214 times (in 2008, they played four games more, two service games each). Roger put the pressure on his opponent in 2008, he was the one under pressure in 2014. Those stats underline how much a tennis match is also battle of nerves, made more evident by the inherent (un)justice of tennis scoring. Novak was the better player in the first set, although he lost it. Roger played a sublime third set, just to let it slip in the tie-break. But the pressure is not only the one that arise from the match itself — the pressure is also a matter of time, of history, something existing apart the scoreline. In 2008, Nadal was under pressure in the match, but Roger was under a tremendous outward pressure — Borg’s record was on the line; then, against Rafa, for years, Wimbledon was one of the only two places where he played on his terms — they never met at the USO, and most of their matches came on clay and on slow courts. But Wimbledon came right after the clay courts season, when Rafa peaked and was full of self-belief. Finally, Roger was recovering from mono, and, that year, he lacked the cushion he use to build in Australia.

The quality of the first set was perhaps the best that I remember. Both served well enough to remain relaxed, and their respective game were very fluid. Djokovic played probably better than he did last year against DelPo. Federer played within himself, serving well and rushing to the net. The second set was good too, although devoid of suspense. In the third Federer looked supreme, but Djokovic, while not as spectacular, was efficient in his service games. In the fourth, finally, they started to fatigue, and the fifth was a gladiatorial fight.

I read on those pages (and a bit everywhere else) that Federer was not a clutch player, and that Djokovic was a choker — “Chokovic”. Let’s see some facts: they won 24 GS, played 39 GS finals, won 41 MS and more than 120 tournaments. Not bad for a choker and a softy. Of course, there are stats, and real facts. Let’s aknowledge that the risky Federer style is very efficient, but requires a lot of concentration, perfect placement and loose hands. Federer doesn’t play risk-free shots. In a fifth, when one is tired, of course that he usually fares a bit worse. And the players who beat him in those fifths, to get to the fifth had to be in exceptional form, or to be Nadal or Djokovic. It is a well known fact that many of those matches are decided by one shot, or just a few: I remember Tanner’s meak backhand volley against Borg, thirty-five years ago, that costed him the match; a Nadal lob on the run that fell on the baseline; Roger lost his two five setters in Wimbledon by 5 or 6 points, missed by a few inches, and made me think that it is a pitty that there’s no draw in tennis. Let’s not forget that this same “softy” player bageled both Nadal and Djokovic on fast courts when he was thirty+, and that his game was built around a different racquet technology (Agassi said that he felt he “cheated” the first time he used luxilon strings), and on faster courts.

What about Chokovic? The guy that played his fourteen finals against players who had won, in average, 10 slams each? And they still play… Find me somebody else with such a level of opposition… (Not even Nadal, I checked. And outside clay, Rafa stands at 50% in finals.) He lost some highly disputed matches — but who didn’t? He felt the pressure, the tension in those matches, it is the truth. But I rather think that he lost against better players on that day. If Novak is a choker, who, then, isn’t?

Did Becker add something to Novak game? I don’t have a clue. Novak served better, indeed, aiming more at the lines, and lost a few mph in the process. But his movement seems to be the same. I had the impression that he plays his forehand with a more open stance, but it could be just an impression. On the “menthol” side, didn’t detect anything. Novak had a very good draw, in my opinion: good players, but not overly dangerous. He had lapses in those matches, and played four and five sets by his own fault. He avoided Murray, who is a very bad match-up on grass. So he was prepared for the kind of battle awaiting in the final.

About the others, from youtube highlights: Dimitrov looked good; I still believe he has a bad coach, but he’s there. Murray doesn’t play the way he can. Kyrgios serves well, seems to have all the shots. At 19, he could be the next star of the game. Raonic looked good too. His problem is that he is a bit slow, and his movement will remain an issue. Tsonga was unlucky, just like Gasquet. From the results, Berdych is a negative surprise, just like Ferrer. Cilic could also be a top ten player.

That’s it for now.

July 11th, 2014 at 3:13 pm

Trigg, you remember Tanner, do you? I hope he doesn’t owe you any money!

July 11th, 2014 at 3:40 pm

hey trigg! excellent summation and analysis. i hope you enjoyed nole’s big win.do you think that nole playing grigor in the semis was the perfect precursor to playing fed in the finals, since their games share some similarities? i sort of do. grigor’s movement is different than feds (more athletic less aesthetic?) and his serve seems based more on speed than spots, but all in all it was a good draw in getting nole ready. he faced big servers in tsonga, cilic, and grigor; net rushers in grigor and steps; and a grinder in simon. not sure where golubev fits as i don’t think he really ever found his stride. so it was an ideal mix of opponents in the end.

July 11th, 2014 at 3:54 pm

@ Trigg: Thank you for analysis-brilliant!It was joy to read and learn something new…

July 11th, 2014 at 4:30 pm

Were Roger, Rafa and Andy extended an invitation to this marriage ? Even Stepanek who is a regular practice partner has not attended according to this report. That seems surprising indeed !!

July 12th, 2014 at 12:51 am

^and why is that? This celebration is very personal ….first. So who they invite is the marriage couples business, and not for anyone to judge. If he doesn’t invite “The Guys” he competes against, its all cool. Its his wedding , so give them both some slack.
Congrats to them both, and may they enjoy a great family life everyone deserves. Knowing their statures, it could be a tough road ahead. Family first!

July 12th, 2014 at 1:15 am

Ofcourse, the marrying couple are within their right to invite who they prefer. It is their personal life. But I was just curious enough to know if these top players who express mutual bonhomie on and off court and have great respect towards one another, want to foster their relationship even outside the competing arena. I am still not sure if Novak has extended an invitation or not ?

July 12th, 2014 at 2:19 am

Michael i left a post for you on the Novak number 1 thread,just wondered if you had read it thanks?

July 12th, 2014 at 2:28 am

Trigg:
Terrific comparison of 2008 and 2014 WB final!

July 12th, 2014 at 5:01 am

Congratulations to Nole and Jelena.

@trigg. Are you our uncle Dave who has been gone quite sometimes?? I am just asking. And that’s great post.

July 12th, 2014 at 6:10 am

Alison,

I have replied to that. Sorry I overlooked it.

July 12th, 2014 at 8:56 am

@Metan:

No, I am not Dave. The older posters know that I am mat4, just posting from another computer. Long story, but also a reference to OFAH.

July 12th, 2014 at 9:56 am

Thanks Michael i just read it :))….

July 12th, 2014 at 12:12 pm

I understand Stepanek was not invited because Nole had some 18-year old nieces in the wedding party and he didn’t want them to be the cause of Stepanek and Kvitova’s breakup.

Yes, I’m kidding. 😛

July 12th, 2014 at 1:26 pm

Trig/Mat4 OFAH is my favorite ever TV show,comedy at its ver best,i have the entire boxset on dvd expensive but money well spent….

July 12th, 2014 at 2:58 pm

Gordon LMAO….

July 12th, 2014 at 2:59 pm

i thought steps and petra already broke up?
word has it he’s eyeing up safarova. ;)

July 12th, 2014 at 4:03 pm

^And i thought he was still married to Nicole?^

July 12th, 2014 at 4:07 pm

I thought I had read somewhere Novak had invited Andy to the wedding.

July 12th, 2014 at 5:01 pm

From what I read in Serbian press wedding was very private and only for closest friends and relatives to Nole and Jelena. To my knowledge not even Ana Ivanovic and JJ were invited. 140 people for Serbian standards, that was small wedding:) Troicki and Tipsy are players Nole grew up with and played with in Belgrade, and let us be honest, if you make the wedding for the closest of the closest are you going to invite Rafa, Roger, Andy …? They didn’t declined invitation since they were not invited.
There is no pictures yet since all the rights have been sold to “Hello magazine” for $500,000 to be paid in charity fund for a flood victims, I bet we will see some wild pictures:)
The music and singers were local and they tend to make wild atmosphere like this one that was one of the singers:

http://youtu.be/BEDEf-Vcm40

July 12th, 2014 at 7:33 pm

@Wog boy
Thanks for the info. Setting things straight.
You should,and probably are, very proud of your man ;).
@Mat4
Fun read as usual.

July 12th, 2014 at 9:24 pm

wog boy, i heard that in addition to the photo op/charity thing, nole and jelena specified to their guests that in lieu of gifts they could make donations to the foundation to help flood victims and childhood education instead. that makes sense: i am certain they have everything they could possibly want and more. :)

July 12th, 2014 at 10:40 pm

Wog Boy,

Thanks for that piece of clarification !! It is purely Novak’s prerogative whom to invite or not ? And I also sense that he has only extended an invitation to his closest blood relatives and so there ends the matter. All the best to Novak and Jelana !!

July 13th, 2014 at 1:12 am

Its entirely Novaks buisness whom he invites to his wedding,these players spend all of their time living in each others pockets while on the ATP tour,so probably are glad of the break to spend it with their own families,and although i dont make a big issue about foundations its nice that Novak said to make donations to the flood victims in lieu of gifts….

July 13th, 2014 at 2:09 am

Best wishes to the newlyweds! What a happy occasion all the more made special by the forthcoming child. I think they will make good parents. I hope this will inspire Novak to do even better in his already glorious career.

July 13th, 2014 at 10:17 am

@skeezer,
I am proud of Nole, but not just for him being great tennis player but being great human being, he was rough on the edges at the beging (for a reason, but I will not go there) but matured into great ambassador of this great sport, imho.

@jane,
That is correct.

@Michael,
No probs.

July 13th, 2014 at 6:34 pm

^^ “beginning”

July 13th, 2014 at 6:37 pm

Here is the first pictures of Nole and Jelena at the wedding:

http://www.hellomagazine.com/brides/2014071419884/novak-djokovic-jelena-ristic-wedding/

July 13th, 2014 at 7:25 pm

thanks wog boy… aww super sweet. not sure if you saw this interview in the bbc studio between nole and sue barker? it’s great if you’ve not seen it. nole’s full of praise for fed and just proud, really.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fv_mFlHi4_Q&feature=youtu.be

July 13th, 2014 at 11:27 pm

@wog boy. Thanks for the picture. Do you see, Nole’s hand with the love signed. So sweetttttt.

@trigg. Sorry for my ignoramus. Your moniker is cool, could be a trigger once in a while ,Hahahaha.

July 14th, 2014 at 12:29 am

Wog Boy @ 7.25 pm,

The wedding couple looks pretty in the photo. Novak is symbolically suggesting that his wife is pregnant by curving his hands on her stomach. There is truth in that Jelana says. She cannot get a better partner than Novak and that too a World No.1 and above all as you said a nice human being.

July 14th, 2014 at 12:35 am

Jelena looks very pretty,and Novak looks handsome,a very nice picture,and a great interview with Sue Barker,who shocked me greatly by not using the expression throwing down the gauntlet,which she almost always does in every interview arrgh….

July 14th, 2014 at 1:55 am

Jelena looks very pretty,and Novak looks handsome,a very nice picture,and a great interview with Sue Barker,who shocked me greatly by not using the expression throwing down the gauntlet,which she almost always does in every interview arrgh….

July 14th, 2014 at 1:55 am

Jelena looks very pretty,and Novak looks handsome,a very nice picture,and a great interview with Sue Barker,who shocked me greatly by not using the expression throwing down the gauntlet,which she almost always does in every interview arrgh….

July 14th, 2014 at 1:55 am

I dont know why that post has come up three times?

July 14th, 2014 at 1:56 am

they look great good for them being together for so long and yeah i was also surprised about the magazine deal but all the money are going to charity as well as the money from the gifts :)

July 14th, 2014 at 7:47 am